Defending the Truth

We are commanded to preach and teach the truth. “Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke…” (2 Timothy 4:2); “That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; But speaking the truth…” (Ephesians 4:14-15).We are also commanded to defend the truth, “But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you…” (1 Peter 3:15). Many Christians look at these passages and go out very zealously to preach, teach and defend the truth and sin in so doing!

Yes, I do mean that a Christian can teach, preach or defend the truth and sin in the process. I am not saying that it is a sin to do these things, for it is a sin not to. However, I am saying that you can preach, teach and defend the truth in a sinful manner. Look again at the verses mentioned earlier. You probably already noticed that there are some phrases missing out of those verses. The entire passage of 2 Timothy 4:2 should read “Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.” The command to exhort (encourage) with all longsuffering (loving patience) is often forgotten by many. Also Ephesians 4:15 should begin, “But speaking the truth in love…” Now I am not trying to sound like a “liberal,” but brethren, “Where’s the love…?” If we zealously go out to preach the truth with some other motivation than the love of God and the love of our fellow man, we commit sin!

In “defending” the truth, do you seek to defend the gospel or do you seek to “defend” yourself? All too often, I have seen brethren seek to defend the Truth, not for the Truth’s sake, but for their own. When their belief / position is brought into question, they take it as personal insult and begin to argue their case. Though they may hold a scriptural position, their motive for arguing is a selfish one – they want to win! They want to show off their skill as a debater and extensive knowledge of the Bible. They seemingly have forgotten the rest of 1 Peter 3:15 “…with meekness and fear…” In arguing for the sake of argument, meekness is thrown by the wayside and fear, or respect for others is forgotten.

What is central to the issue is one of the worst five-letter words in the dictionary… Pride! Personal pride is the opposite of meekness and respect for others. Selfish pride has no room for love of the lost, or for “suffering long” with them. Why are there divisions in the church today? Quite often, they result from selfish pride. It goes something like this: One brother puts forth a position, either scriptural or unscriptural. Another brother disagrees with that position. The first brother is insulted that someone has disagreed with him and an argument ensues. Both brothers “well up” with selfish pride and seek to win the argument. Both brothers resort to personal attacks and in the end, no one wins, but the cause of Christ comes out the loser! Let me repeat… the cause of Christ comes out the loser! It is wrong not to defend the truth. It is a sin to “straddle the fence.” We must take a stand for Christ! But we must not do so in a striving manner. We must defend the truth, but we must do it meekly; we must do it respectfully; we must do it lovingly.

Many times Jesus debated the Truth with the Pharisees and scribes. He never railed against them personally, but rather He went after their false doctrines and after their hypocrisies. He did not do so to “win” an argument, but rather to show them the Truth, to point out how they were going wrong. We ought to follow His example in this, “For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps: Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth: Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously…” (1 Peter 2:21-23).

He defended the truth. It did it with love and compassion. He did not defend it to glorify Himself. He did not defend the Truth in order to humiliate His adversaries. He wanted to bring about a positive change in their lives. He wanted to save their souls. The saving of souls should be our motivation in teaching, preaching and defending the truth, not selfish pride! When we seek to “win” an argument, all too often we push others even further away from Christ.

When I was in the U.S. Coast Guard, I attended a law-enforcement training program. During “hand-cuffing” practice, we were taught a technique of twisting the handcuff on a suspect’s wrist in such a way as to cause a sharp pain. This was only to be used if they resisted being “cuffed.” However, we were warned to let up after a moment’s pressure so as not to cause the suspect’s adrenaline to come up. Our body naturally defends itself against negative stimuli. Adrenaline causes a “fight or flight” reaction in the body. If an officer inflicts pain on a suspect in order to motivate him to comply, but if he goes too far, or fails to let up after compliance, the suspect often resists even further and the situation escalates until it gets out of hand. Remember Rodney King…? The police officers tried to subdue him, he fought back, things escalated…. they beat him unmercifully and the entire city of Los Angeles nearly went up in flames because of it!

When we try to teach or defend the truth, and we let things get out of hand, and get “personal,” we do more harm than good to the cause of Christ. Rather than cause strife on our part, why not take Christ’s approach and simply end our defense of the gospel with “He who has an ear to hear, let him hear.”

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Keys to Physical and Spiritual Success

It is an established truth that the key to success, in any aspect of our lives, is to remove the negative thoughts and replace them with positive mental reinforcements. William James, a pioneering American psychologist and philosopher said, “The greatest discovery of my generation is that human beings can alter their lives by altering their attitudes of mind.”  The fact is we are what we think we are.  So if we are not what we want to be, or what we should be, we can actually make our lives over by reprocessing our attitudes and thought patterns.

One the wall of my home gym, next to the treadmill, is a list of seven positive motivational expressions to keep me focused on my physical fitness goals. As I was repeating these things to myself one day I thought of the great spiritual application that could be made from each of these seven points. Paul wrote, “For bodily exercise profits a little, but godliness is profitable for all things, having promise of the life that now is and of that which is to come” (1 Timothy 4:8).

Now, before we talk about attitude and reprogramming our thoughts for better spiritual and physical health we need to address two important things. First, we have to get rid of the junk food (physically and spiritually) and fill our bodies with good food and plenty of water. Jesus said, “I am the bread of life. He who comes to Me shall never hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst” (John 6:35). Secondly, we have to get up and get moving! Exercising our bodies as well as our godliness. Then if we combine these efforts with some attitude adjustments we will make great strides in our physical and spiritual well-being.

Point #1 – I’m not fat; I’m losing weight and building muscle. I am not a sinner weighted down with the burden guilt. I once was lost in sin but now I am justified in my obedience and faith in Christ and the grace of God (Romans 6:17; Ephesians 2:8-9). Every day, as I study, serve, and worship God I become stronger.

Point #2 – I’m not lazy; I’m taking energetic steps toward getting stronger. As I put my past behind me and press on I make great strides in strengthening my spiritual life.

Point #3 – I’m not overwhelmed; I’m in the daily creative process of eating right and learning about myself. This life we live is sometimes hectic to the point of bringing us to our knees with discouragement. But in Christ I am able to overcome any obstacle and learn more about what I am able to bear and do.

Point #4 – I’m not anxious and impatient; I have the rest of my life to get better and better, day-by-day. One is not made a perfect individual the day they obey the gospel. But we are saved and given all we need to make us perfect in Christ through God’s Word. We sing the song “One Step At A Time” and that is truly what will get us through this life. Patience and hope in Christ.

Point #5 – I’m not fearful; I’m strengthening my body, mind, and spirit. As a child of God I have nothing to fear. God has made us the crowning glory of His creation and cares for us above all things. So much so that he sent His Son to die for us. As a result Jesus says, “Do not fear therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows” (Matthew 10:31).

Point #6 – I’m not a lost cause; I’m braver and smarter, stronger and more toned today than yesterday. Many people think that they are not worthy of heaven or salvation. But God says you are! “But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8). Each day as a faithful child of God helps me appreciate God’s love that much more.

Point #7 – I’m living a joyful, more intelligent and grateful life forever.

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The Law of Moses

What about the Law of Moses and Colossians 2:14?

Well, I say that Jesus came to nail the Law of Moses to the cross because of Colossians 2:14.  In vs. 8 of that chapter, Paul tells the church to beware of the traditions of men, which Jesus had to deal with from the scribes and Pharisees (Matthew 15:8-9).  Vs. 11 speaks of the circumcision without hands which also points to something different than the Old Law.  In vs. 14, it mentions wiping out the handwritten laws.  Well, the New Testament was not written yet and the only law that was like this, “Handwritten,” during the first century, was the Law of Moses.

We further see proof of this in vs. 15-16 where Paul states that these people’s powers were stopped and that there would be no more laws concerning meat, drinks, holy days, new moons or Sabbaths.  All of these laws were under the Law of Moses.  So in Colossians 2:14, it does not apply to all demands that God has ever made for mankind.  Now, it is true that the verse does not specifically, by name, identify the Mosaic Law as the “handwriting of ordinances” but it is undeniable that it is the law meant and, if the Law of Moses is not meant, then what law is meant that deals with holy days, Sabbaths and suchlike?  In addition, this verse is parallel with Ephesians 2:14-15 which speaks of the law of commandments in ordinances being abolished. The statement in Ephesians two is clearly in reference to the Mosaic Law.  And, Paul specifically called attention to the fact that the Ephesians were Gentiles, and had no part in the commonwealth of Israel and were strangers from the covenants of promise (vs. 12).  Paul also said in the Ephesian passage that the Jews and Gentiles had now been brought together as one new spiritual man, since the “middle wall of partition” that separated the two peoples had been broken down by Christ when he died on the cross (Ephesians 2:12-13).  Since the parallel passage has clear reference to the Mosaic Law, our text (Colossians 2:14) likewise has reference to this same law.

Now, as to the Law of Moses, it applied to all Jews before Jesus died (Exodus 6:4).  Even Jesus was born under the Law of Moses (Galatians 4:4) as well as the thief on the cross, the Pharisees and scribes, the apostles and many others.  Now, the question was given, “Why didn’t Jesus come to nail also then the works or conditions taught in the Gospel of God to the cross?  Very simply, they did not exist.  Take for instance the book of Colossians, it was not even written until 60-61AD and many other books were not written then either.  Thus, if Jesus nailed the New Law to the cross, he was nailing a covenant that was not even written yet.  The Scriptures teach us that, “For a testament is of force after men are dead: otherwise it is of no strength at all while the testator liveth” (Hebrews 9:17).  So, it would make no sense to end a covenant that never began.  Besides, it is in that New Covenant where one finds salvation.

Also, we need to understand that the whole Bible both Old and New Testaments is not called the Gospel or “good news.”  Now I know that the word “glad tidings” is mentioned in  Isa. 40:9; 41:27 and 52:7.  But, these are prophecies referring to Acts 2, on the day of Pentecost, when the “Good News” went forth from Jerusalem.  It was not given back in Isaiah’s day.  Thus, the Gospel only refers to the New Testament.  And, we know that Jesus made a new Covenant or Testament (Romans 11:27) where all can be baptized into the one body regardless if they are Jew or Gentile, bond or free (1 Corinthians 12:13).  Thus, when Jesus died, he closed the Old Law, He ushered in the New and He died so that men could set themselves free from the bondage of sin through the blood of the precious Christ.  Paul said in Romans 6:1-4, “What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound?  God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?  Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?  Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.”

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Why I Will No Longer Support the Olympics

This past Summer 2012 Olympics was the very last that I will support with my viewing. Make no mistake—my family and I tried to watch as much as we could, and we generally have supported the Olympics throughout the years. I have even written articles addressing the positive qualities that we are able to make from such (need for preparation, playing within the rules, striving for a common goal and such like). Nevertheless, the more I learn about what truly takes place “behind the scenes,” the more I see as a viewer and the older (and I hope more mature) I get, the more disgusted I have become—so much so, that I will no longer support them with my viewing. Please do not get me wrong or misunderstand the nature of this article—I simply want to share some things for you, the reader, to think and consider as I provide reasons why I, personally, have made this decision. Before I proceed, this is not a blanket condemnation of everyone who participates or enjoys such, as I realize that with most everything, there are always exceptions. Yet, from what I have gathered, I believe they are quite rare. I will no longer support the Olympic Games because they are primarily about the following three things.

First, the Olympics are primarily about sports. If you are relatively young, you are probably thinking, “Duh!” but allow me to expand. The older I get, the more I see sports becoming a god to many people, especially right here in our own nation—the United States of America. We are proud when we are able to attain more gold medals (or more medals cumulatively) than any other nation, and as the end of the games drew near, we watched the medal count even closer. It ought to be no surprise that we are among the top countries every year, because the concept of sports plays quite a large role in the lives of Americans. From the NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL, and even to the role that college sports plays across the fruited plains, for far too many Americans, sports has become their god. It is that for which they eat, drink and breathe. Moreover, reports often come from other countries (such as China) as to the emphasis they also give to sports. It gets to the point where we may easily talk to strangers about such sporting events, but we rarely ever talk to them about Jesus Christ. We do everything we can to teach our children how to throw a baseball, but we rarely ever teach them the word of God. We are sure to get them to practice on time, but struggle to encourage them to memorize Bible verses. Yes, I admit that I am a sports fan, but I do not want it to consume my life, and when we watched it every single evening for over two weeks, it is too much. God must be first in my life, and such types of games are constantly trying to push God out of the lives of more and more people every year. Make no mistake, the Greeks were among the first to elevate the athlete upon the golden pedestal of society, and we are following in their footsteps. Modern-day “coliseums” are becoming more popular than church buildings, which only shows the role that sports is playing as a modern false god in our world.

Second, the Olympics are primarily about money. Being a part of the sports world (as I discussed previously), it is all about the financial gain. Olympics are televised in such a way that viewers will watch the commercials and support the respective network broadcasting them. Olympic athletes (as well as others) will make more money from endorsements than they will the games themselves. When it comes to sports, money rules; I believe I read in some good book that the love of money is the root of all evil (1 Timothy 6:10). The American athlete may not earn very much for their medal placements, but again, when coupled with the exposure that media provides, it often leads to a lifestyle of debauchery funded by millions of dollars of revenue gained. From the earliest of Olympics, the winners would obtain a lifetime of financial ease, but with such also came bribery and cheating—we see such attempts even today among the modern athlete. Why? It is because of an unhealthy thirst for money, along with the power and prestige that it provides.

Third, the Olympics are primarily about sex. Not only was it difficult for the Christian viewer to watch ANY sport without seeing over-exposed, athletic bodies, but to read what actually takes place within the secluded Olympic Village (temporary home for the athletes competing in the games) was nauseating. One ESPN writer wrote an article entitled, “Will You Still Medal in the Morning?” In this exposé, he described in great detail the hedonistic atmosphere that reigns during this time among the athletes. Couple this with the number of condoms that the Olympic Federation makes available (more than 100,000, which has increased over the years), and it ought to make all parents seriously reconsider whether or not they want their child to strive for such mastery.

Therefore, it is because it sadly seems, in my humble opinion, that the Olympics have become less about friendly athletic competition between countries and general good-will between nations and more about the god of sports, the love of money and the lifestyle of hedonism that I have personally put my foot down and will no longer support the Olympic Games in the future. All I ask for you is to think about it.

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Study: Becoming a Serious Bible Student

It is remarkable how little time and effort many are putting into the study of the Bible. Far too many preachers, teachers and church leaders think that if they read a book or commentary such makes them Bible scholars. They are wrong. Preachers from the past spent many hours each day in study. Our brother, Gus Nichols, devoted five hours every day for more than fifty years inside the Bible. I remember, as a young preacher, hearing him say that there were 10,000 sermons he had which he would never be able to preach. He was truly a student of the Bible and his life reflected this.

Franklin Camp probably had the greatest impact on me of any preacher I have ever known. I was a student at Lipscomb in 1961 when I heard him say, “If brother Nichols needed to study the Bible five hours each day,  then I need to spend more than that.” So every day he went to the his study at 4:00 A.M. to begin his time of study—six hours every day! Those of us who were able to be around him know the depth of study he presented in every one of his classes or sermons.

These men may be exceptional in the time they devoted to study, but the decision remains for each of us to make as to how much time we devote to study. I am not just speaking of preachers, but of every member of the church. How much time do you devote to reading and meditating on His revelation? Have you ever read the complete Bible? How many of the fifteen judges can you name? Can you name fourteen apostles? What well know character in the Bible is Nathan associated with? What about Shem? Achan? Uriah? Abimelech? Balak? Caleb? Sheba? Naboth? Gehazi? Sennacherib? Jochebed? Orpah? Dorcas? Eutychus? Matthias? Og? Antipas?

What about Bible places? What event happened at Gethsemane? Carmel? Horeb? Troas? Kadesh-Barnea? Jericho? Moriah? Cana? Ono? Lystra? Damascus?

What about the location of important verses? Can you show someone the plan of salvation? What verses show the difference between the two covenants? Can you use your Bible to discuss the day we must partake of the Lord’s supper? What verses reveal God’s attitude toward abortion? Toward homosexuality? The works of the flesh? What verses show the permanence of marriage and the sinfulness of divorce?

Brethren, let’s study the Bible. Some of the people and places above may have little importance, but they serve as a challenge to each of us to study more. Be truthful—when was the last time you spent five hours in a week in study!

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