The Marriage

Marriage

Marriage is Important to God. Is it to the Couple?

Marriage is Important to God. Is it to the Couple?

A husband and his wife walked into an office of the Federal Bureau of Investigations and stated, “We want to become FBI agents.” “Well,” the agent who met them responded, “FBI agents usually do not just come off of the streets—there is a process of vigorous training to become an elite agent of the FBI.” Nevertheless, this did not deter them from their quest of becoming FBI agents. “All right,” said the agent, “let us see if you qualify to become an agent.” Then, he directed the husband to one room and the wife to another room. A short time later, he knocked on the door of the room with the husband and led him to the next room. He opened a desk drawer and pulled out a revolver. “If you want to become an FBI agent, you must take this gun and go into the room with your wife and kill her.” The husband took the gun, went into the room with his wife and shut the door behind him. The FBI agent listened for several minutes and heard nothing but silence. Then, the door opened, the husband stepped back into the room, placed the gun on the table in tears and said, “I cannot do it.” He then went back into his respective room. A few minutes later, the agent knocked on the door of the wife, who then proceeded into the next room. The FBI agent did the same thing—he took the revolver out of the desk and instructed her to go and kill her husband if she qualified to become an agent. The woman took the gun, went into the room with her husband and shut the door behind her. The FBI agent only listened for a matter of seconds before he heard in rapid succession, “BOOM, BOOM, BOOM, BOOM, BOOM, BOOM,” and then what he heard next surprised even himself. He then heard wood breaking and shill screams. A minute later, he sees the wife walking out all flustered as she said, “Did you know this gun had blanks? I had to beat him with a chair to kill him!”

Such is humorous if it were not for the fact that in many marriages, such is serious. The greatest relationship on earth is the one between husband and wife. I believe the Lord knew this, because this was the first relationship that He created. In Genesis 2, seeing the loneliness of His created man, Adam, God stated,

It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him…And the Lord God caused a deep sleep to fall upon Adam, and he slept: and he took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh instead thereof; And the rib, which the Lord God had taken from man, made he a woman, and brought her unto the man. And Adam said, This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh: she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man. Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh [Gen. 2:18, 21-24].

Not only that, when Paul, by inspiration, chooses to describe the blessed relationship between Christ and His church (Eph. 5:32), he does so by describing the relationship between a husband and wife (Eph. 5:22-33). Thus, by understanding the beauty in the relationship between a husband and wife, we are only able to gain a glimpse of the wonderful spiritual relationship that exists between God and us.

It is sad that many husbands and wives treat each other in contemptible ways, often leading to the dangerous stage of divorce. Yet, when husbands and wives treat each other in ways that pleases God, it is a wonderful and beautiful thing! May we all ascribe to grow our marriages in the type of relationship that best emulates the relationship of Christ and His church—filled with love and submission.

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Benedict Arnold

The Sins of Benedict Arnold

We’ve all heard of the famous traitor Benedict Arnold, heralded in our American history classes as one of the most infamous traitors to the United States during the revolutionary war. But did you know that Arnold was first a General in the Continental Army and a war hero? That’s right, he was credited with the victory against the British at the battle of Saratoga and even was wounded in the leg in battle. Yet, that’s not how history remembers the name Benedict Arnold.

benedict arnold hero then traitor

Benedict Arnold, hero, then traitor.

After this battle, Arnold had to retire from active combat and settled down into a desk job. He married a British sympathizer, though he didn’t consider it a big deal at the time. He was bitter that the Congress hadn’t recognized his accomplishments and given him a promotion. He also wasn’t a very popular person with civilians, and was accused of using his public office to advance his personal fortune. For this accusation he was court marshaled and found guilty. It was a minor offense and the only thing the board demanded was a letter of reprimand. Washington didn’t even mail it to him, just stuck it in a file, but with all of the other bitterness that Arnold had felt, that was the last straw. His wife was a British sympathizer and she put him in contact with some of the enemy. Arnold could have disclosed some very critical information and was going to do that when the courier taking his messages were intercepted. Washington found out about it and sought to have Arnold arrested, but he fled to British lines. He became a General for the British Army and lived in England for the rest of his days, to the delight of his wife, who desired that more than anything.

One lesson we learn from Arnold’s life is that little things build up into big things. Arnold didn’t get up one morning and say, I think I’ll be a traitor today. Gradually, over time, the circumstances of his life wore on him until he felt compelled to act in the way he did. The same can be true for our life. Multiple small annoyances can build up to the point that we lash out at our family and friends. We need to battle such annoyances with contentment and thanksgiving. When we learn to be thankful for everything around us, then we won’t be annoyed at something that doesn’t go our way. When we become content with our circumstances, then annoyances won’t have any meaning as they will be accepted as part of our life. Arnold didn’t understand the value of thanksgiving and contentment. Paul wrote, for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content (Philippians 4:11). We need to be on constant guard that we are not so led into sin.

Another lesson that we learn is that our lives are open books for others to read and we need to be keenly aware of that. Arnolds use of public funds for personal profit was something that should never have happened. A Christian has a great responsibility to let his light shine to all who are around (Matthew 5:16). This means that our lives are open for inspection at any point and at any time. Christians cannot afford to have secrets to which others are not privy. We must learn to provide things honest in the sight of all men (Romans 12:17).

Finally, we learn that Arnold didn’t choose his company very wisely when he married a British sympathizer. The people that we associate with and especially the person that we eventually marry, will have more influence upon our lives that we expect. Paul warned of the potential danger of our friends in 1 Corinthians 15:33 when he said, Be not deceived: Evil companionships corrupt good morals (ASV). Arnold didn’t choose his companions wisely and in the end, it cost him dearly.

Arnold’s actions are historically notorious but there were reasons why he came to the point he did. We need to make sure that we don’t have such reasons in our lives that will betray our Lord and prevent us from entering heaven. Perhaps the greatest lesson from Arnold is that it doesn’t matter how big of a hero you are, you can still fall (1 Corinthians 10:12)!

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Examining the NIV

A Brief Review of the New International Version (NIV)

the NIV has some issues you should know

The NIV has some issues you should Know.

First of all, the Preface of the NIV should be considered in order to gain an understanding of the perspective of the translation committee. Unfortunately, the church of Christ is listed among and referenced as a denomination. Anyone who has ever read Christ’s prayer for unity in John 17:20-23 knows how disappointing it is to see the church for which he died presented as being what Anglican, Assemblies of God, Baptist, Brethren, Christian Reformed, Evangelical Free, Lutheran, Mennonite, Methodist, Nazarene, Presbyterian, and Wesleyan are—a denomination. The word of God teaches, “Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment” (I Corinthians 1:10). The NIV has errors in it.

The seventh paragraph of the Preface says, “The first concern of the translators has been the accuracy of the translation and its fidelity to the thought of the biblical writers. They have striven for more than a word-for-word translation.” If we are told the translators are placing emphasis on “the thought of the biblical writers” and were going for “more than a word-for-word translation,” then we ought not be surprised if that is just what they have done. Those who write about what the biblical writers thought based upon the words they used in the text are called commentators, not translators. Some of the doctrines crucial to the denominations listed in the Preface did make their way into the NIV, and herein lies one of the greatest dangers of the NIV. The commentators have placed their denominational views into the text. If the NIV is easier to read and understand than the KJV or ASV and contains errors, then the error is easily grasped and in many cases more readily accepted than a creed book, manual, book of discipline, catechism, or even an erroneous commentary would be because it has been presented as if it were the Bible itself.

TRANSLATION/DOCTRINAL ERRORS

Now, time and space afford only a brief review of the NIV errors. The reader is invited to place the NIV alongside the KJV and/or ASV at the passages to be cited for comparison. In that way more information can be compressed into the next few lines of this article.

PSALMS 51:5 ~ The Calvinistic doctrine of “Original Sin” is taught in this verse in the NIV. At one time it read, “Surely I have been a sinner from birth, sinful from the time my mother conceived me.” Now it reads, “Surely I was sinful at birth, sinful from the time my mother conceived me.” You wonder why any attempt was made to change the verse because each rendering teaches the same error.

ROMANS, GALATIANS, COLOSSIANS ~ Another Calvinistic doctrine known as “Total Depravity” emerges from the NIV in Romans 7:5, 18, 25; 8:3, 4, 8, 12, 13; Galatians 5:16, 19; and Colossians 2:11 – 13. The word “flesh” is replaced with the words “sinful nature.”

ROMANS 1:17 ~ The false doctrine of salvation by “Faith Only” is supported by the NIV in this verse where it says righteousness is “by faith from first to last.” The KJV has “from to faith to faith” which points to the fact that the basis of faith, the inspired scriptures, must be brought into action within a person’s life.

JOHN 3:16 ~ A key word in this beautiful and familiar text is “should.” The ones who believe in Christ “should” not perish. A combination of the false doctrines of “Once Saved, Always Saved” and “Faith Only” are supported by the NIV for it says those who believe “shall” not perish.

MATTHEW 19:9 ~ The allowable grounds for putting away a spouse mentioned here as the sexual sin of “fornication” is broadened to “marital unfaithfulness” by the NIV. “Marital unfaithfulness” would include but not be limited to “fornication” and is, therefore, inappropriate.

MARK 16:9-20 ~ The denominations listed in the Preface have for many, many years objected to the teaching of the Lord on the essentially of baptism in order to be saved as presented in Mark 16:16. Unable to evade the force of the passage, the NIV translators cast doubt on its inspiration by drawing a line after verse eight and then placing within brackets the follow-statement: “The most reliable early manuscripts and other ancient witnesses do not have Mark 16:9-20.” A statement like that could lead the reader to believe that these verses should never have been included in any translation and could cause the reader to wonder why, with so scant a textual representation, even the NIV translators went ahead to place the verses below their offensive statement.

The truth is that only two uncial codexes omit the verses, and one of them, the Alexandrinus Manuscript housed in the British Museum in London, leaves a space into which these twelve verses could fit as if the copyist knew of their existence but without having them before him left them space. And, thousands of the cursive manuscripts include these verses.

1 CORINTHIANS 2:14, 12:13, 13:10 ~ The direct operation of the Holy Spirit as advocated by the Pentecostal groups and Calvinists is taught in the NIV at these locations. Instead of “the natural man” it has “the man without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God.” Therefore, the Holy Spirit must come upon man directly according to the NIV to make him accept things. The apostles taught that the Holy Spirit uses his word like a sword to influence men (Ephesians 6:17). Instead of drinking “into one Spirit” or taking in the teaching of the Holy Spirit as the KJV reads, the NIV has this ridiculous statement: “We were all given the one Spirit to drink.” “That which is perfect” refers to the completed revelation from God to man, the Bible (James 1:25). The NIV changes the words to “perfection” thereby opening the way for teaching Premillennialism where a state of perfection for one thousand years is believed to be just on the horizon.

CONCLUSION

Now, the NIV is preferred over the KJV and ASV by many who believe it is easier to read and understand. But, if that is true, then it would also make the many errors it contains easy to understand and believe. Yet, people continue to buy this commentary and read the errors written on its pages. And while it is true that any translation done by men may contain errors, but the KJV and ASV are doctrinally preferred over the NIV.

 

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Once Lost Now Found

“I Once Was Lost, But Now Am Found”

Do you remember the pictures of missing children that used to be on the sides of milk cartons? Now they are published in weekly mailings nationwide. Have you ever been lost? I am not talking about the casual aimlessness in a car with bad directions. Have you really been lost? I can admit that I have been lost twice in my lifetime.

God can find the lost anywhere

God Can Find the Lost Anywhere.

Years ago as a young teenager, I was once lost in the middle of the woods while squirrel hunting. My father and I along with some friends went early one Monday morning hunting (that is what I get for skipping school that day!). We got into a boat and went up a river several miles upstream to a designated spot to hunt. Each of us went our separate ways with instructions to meet back at the boat at a certain time later that morning. I stayed near the river, while my father went deeper into the woods. At the designated time, everyone arrived at the boat except my father—he was the first to get lost that day. After some time had passed, my younger friend and I decided to look for him. We made two very important mistakes that day of which we learned the hard way—we did not take our guns with us, and neither of us had a compass. Beginning around ten o’clock that morning, we began to search for my father, and soon we realized that we were lost ourselves. My friend’s father found my father just a few hours later, but it was past sunset before they found us. We were lost for half of a day, wandering aimlessly through strange woods. The sheriff had just begun to bring the bloodhounds out after us when they finally found us that evening. I am so thankful that my father made provisions to find me when I was lost!

I was lost a second time, this time much more seriously. I was lost spiritually. When I experimented with sin, I abandoned my God. My sins led me away in rebellion against my Heavenly Father (Isa. 59:1-2). I was lost, wandering aimlessly spiritually through life. “But God commendeth his love toward [me], in that, while [I was yet a sinner], Christ died for [me]” (Rom. 5:8). Jesus came to this world to find me because I was lost (Luke 19:10). He provided the means for me to be saved through the gospel (Rom. 1:16) and the shedding of his blood on Calvary (Heb. 2:9; Acts 22:16; Rev. 1:8). He has provided a straight and narrow path that leads to salvation (Matt. 7:13-14). I am so thankful my Heavenly Father found me when I was lost!

John Newton wrote those infamous words,

Amazing grace! How sweet the sound that saved a wretch like me!

I once was lost, but now am found —was blind, but now I see.

Are you lost? God commands us to teach the saving message of Jesus to those in our world that are lost. Some do not realize they are lost; others are searching but cannot find their way. What if my spiritual soul depended on you finding me? Would I be found, or would I still be lost?

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Truths About the Sabbath

Simple Truths About the Sabbath

It is remarkable how clearly the Lord can state a matter and how difficult it is for man to understand His words. When one approaches the Bible with a predetermined mindset, very simple statements of truth can become difficult for men to understand. However, when one studies the Bible openly, these simple statements open the doors to finding God’s will. As an illustration of this, consider the following truths about the Sabbath. The format used in this study will be a question and answer format with each question being based on the truth learned in the preceding paragraph. Keep in mind that the Sabbath is part of the Ten Commandments.

should christians keep the sabbath

Should Christians Keep the Sabbath?

What was the covenant made with the Jews at Mt. Sinai (also called Mt. Horeb)? “And he declared unto you his covenant, which he commanded you to perform, even ten commandments; and he wrote them upon two tables of stone” (Deut. 4:13).

Had God ever made this covenant with the ancestors (like Noah, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob) of those who came to Mt. Sinai (also called Mt. Horeb)? “The LORD our God made a covenant with us in Horeb. The LORD made not this covenant with our fathers, but with us, even us, who are all of us here alive this day. The LORD talked with you face to face in the mount out of the midst of the fire” (Deut. 5:2-4).

Did this covenant, not made with the fathers, include the Ten Commandments? “Keep the Sabbath day to sanctify it, as the LORD thy God hath commanded thee. Six days thou shalt labor, and do all thy work” (Deut. 5:12-13).

Why was the Sabbath (a rest day) given to Jews who were with Moses at Mt. Sinai (also called Mt. Horeb)? “And remember that thou wast a servant in the land of Egypt, and that the Lord thy God brought thee out thence through a mighty hand and by a stretched out arm: therefore the LORD thy God commanded thee to keep the Sabbath day” (Deut. 5:15).

Does the New Testament (the new covenant) include the Ten Commandments given at Mt. Sinai (also called Mt. Horeb)? “Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will mak­e a new covenant with the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah: not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day that I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt; which my covenant they brake, although I was a husband unto them, saith the LORD” (Deut. 31:31-32).

Now, before accepting the complex ideas given by those who bind the Sabbath on Christians, take time to read these simple truths. Notice that every word given as answers are from God! Listen to God’s simple truths!

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