This Issue...
A NATURAL PROGRESSION OF EVIL
Adam C. Good
For decades, America has been in the throes
of a wholesale breakdown in morality. When
iniquity is not regularly exposed in the
light of the Scriptures in a loving but
uncompromising fashion, Truth loses its hold
on the minds of men and women.
 
HOMOSEXUALITY predominates the media. We hear a lot about LGBT
(Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender) and same-sex marriage. In the
recent past, national attention focused on state legislatures and
the whirlwind of controversy unleashed as laws were proposed
legalizing or restricting same-sex marriage. In June 2015, the
United States Supreme Court issued a landmark ruling that declared
state bans on same-sex marriage unconstitutional. In recent months,
the transition of Bruce Jenner into Caitlyn captured
national attention. The issue of transgender rights has assumed the
place previously held by same-sex marriage. As the 2016 election
season progresses, presidential candidates will speak out in favor
or in condemnation of such practices. Conservative religious groups
have responded to these developments with alarm as many wonder what
is happening to America. What they fail to realize is that the
moral standard set forth in the Bible has already been abandoned in
so many other areas that the cultures growing embrace of LGBT
perversion is a natural progression.
       
While same-sex marriage is a serious issue worthy of grave
concern, where is the corresponding outrage over a host of similar
moral issues that defile the national character? Religious groups
may expose homosexuality as the transgression of Gods Law that
it is, but few will proclaim the Bibles teaching concerning
all forms of fornication with equal courage and conviction.
Fornication, any sexual act outside of a God-approved marriage, is
condemned throughout the New Testament (1 Cor. 6:9-10; Gal. 5:19-
21; Col. 3:5-6). Homosexuality is an example of fornication, but
all heterosexual acts outside of marriage also receive divine
censure with equal force. The necessity of adhering to the whole
counsel of God and examining oneself for hypocrisy is of paramount
importance. Many more souls will find themselves eternally exiled
from the presence of the Lord for engaging in heterosexual forms of
fornication than for practicing homosexuality.
       
Why is it the case that the majority of religiously minded
Americans fail to address all violations of Biblical morality?
Conservative groups currently face little backlash from their
memberships for condemning homosexuality because few among them are
culpable. As a result, no undue cost is incurred for opposing it.
Yet other forms of fornication, such as promiscuity and
unscriptural divorce and remarriage, are issues that apply to the
majority of American families. In the interest of not alienating
attendees and with the intent of not offending the wider community,
those portions of Gods Word dealing with these matters receive
diminishing attention from the pulpit. When instruction does occur,
religious leaders soften the message and devise soothing
justifications. Sadly, not every congregation of the church of
Christ can be exempted from these allegations.
       
When iniquity is not regularly exposed in the light of the
Scriptures in a loving but uncompromising fashion, Truth loses its
hold on the minds of men and women. The neglect and outright
twisting of Biblical teaching concerning heterosexual fornication
has resulted in a dramatic transition in the overall American
mindset to the end that these sins have become accepted. Far worse,
they have become unquestioned assumptions for multitudes of people
who have forgotten how to blush (cf. Jer. 8:12). In time, the
fervor over homosexuality will similarly dampen for the majority of
Americans and it will likewise become accepted, assumed, and
unquestioned. National surveys concerning homosexuality indicate
that this revolution in opinion is underway and that it is
accelerating in pace.
       
The moral issues confronting the nation are legion:
fornication in all its varied forms, abortion, lasciviousness,
and sensuality that parades itself in the media and on the street.
For decades, America has been in the throes of a wholesale
breakdown in morality. Yet, these problems are merely symptoms of
the underlying malady that infects the heart of the United States
and other nations as well. Although compliance with Biblical
morality is not sufficient to be pleasing and acceptable to God on
its own, in times past, the majority of Americans generally adhered
to Biblical principles or at least acknowledged their rightness.
       
Obedience to Gods way edifies a nation since He alone
knows what is best and proper for mankind (Prov. 14:34; Jer.
10:23). Over time, humanistic and atheistic reasoning, as expressed
in theology, the media, and in academia, have eroded the
convictions of men and women regarding the Bibles veracity and
importance. As the role of religion continues to decline in
American life, the moral codes predicated upon it are rapidly
fading and losing their relevance. Now, millions no longer
accept the Bible as Gods inerrant, divinely inspired, and
authoritative revelation. Instead of a climate of respect and
reverence, the Bible is routinely derided and denounced when it is
referred to at all. With the Scriptures cast aside as the regulator
of human behavior, ever shifting human opinion now determines right
and wrong. With their moorings to Truth frayed and broken, the
beliefs of so many Americans are adrift on the wind. Consider the
principle of Ephesians 4:14 which says, 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).
       
It is repugnant to even contemplate the triumph of
homosexuality in America and around the world. Yet, because every
other moral sin has triumphed in the public square, it is a natural
progression for even this issue to ultimately prevail. Moral chaos
is the result when Truth is forsaken. The Scriptures demonstrate
that nations who turn from God decline further and further.
The wicked shall be turned into hell, [and] all the nations
that forget God (Psa. 9:17). Righteousness
exalteth a nation: but sin [is] a reproach to any people
(Prov. 14:34).
       
Consider the example of Israel and Judah. The kings of these
two nations (such as Jeroboam and Ahab) followed their own hearts
and lead their people in departing from Gods standard (1 Kings
12:25-32; 16:29-34). In compassion, the Lord sent prophets without
number to instruct and to guide His people back to the path of
righteousness. These messengers were routinely disregarded and
persecuted for their efforts. Occasionally, a leader such as
Hezekiah or Josiah, would arise who would fight valiantly against
the darkness. Notwithstanding their zeal, they could only slow the
moral decay and spiritual apostasy of the realm during their
lifetimes. Once a people have wholly lost respect for God, as
demonstrated by their attitude and their response to His Word,
nothing can be done to save them. Having rejected God, judgment is
inevitable. Yet, it remains the responsibility of Gods
servants to continue to proclaim His Truth steadfastly for only He
knows when a nation has passed beyond reclamation (Isa. 6:8-12).
       
It has been thought that divine providence championed the
founding and the rise of the United States in order that the church
of Christ might take root and thrive. Satan ever seeks to tear down
anything that promotes righteousness or which tends in the
direction favored by the Lord. He will use everything in his
arsenal to corrupt nations whose disposition is favorable towards
the Gospel message of salvation in Jesus Christ. As Satan worked
through the Roman Empire in the first century to oppose the Faith,
so he strives to exert his malevolence today. God calls upon His
people, the church, to hold up the teaching of His Word and expose
all error (1 Tim. 3:11; Eph. 5:11).
       
The church is not charged with saving a country or a
culture, but with presenting the Gospel to souls, individual by
individual. The church evangelized and made disciples in morally
depraved Corinth where many of the sins plaguing the United States
today ran rampant (1 Cor. 6:9-11). Christians can do the same today
to the glory of God.
              152 E Riverside Dr.
             
Timberville, VA 22853
SURVEYS:
http://www.pewforum.org/2014/09/24/graphics-slideshow-
changing-attitudes-on-gay-marriage/
http://www.barna.org/barna-update/culture/618-america-s-change-of-mind-on-same-sex-marriage-and-lgbtq-rights#.VWjX7RYgX4I
http://www.gallup.com/poll/1651/gay-lesbian-rights.aspx
http://www.gallup.com/poll/183272/record-high-americans-support-sex-marriage.aspx?utm_source=marriage&utm_medium=search&utm_
campaign=tiles
http://www.gallup.com/poll/183413/americans-continue-shift-left-
key-moral-issues.aspx?utm_source= MORAL_ISSUES&utm_medium=
topic&utm_campaign= tiles
Table of Contents
Editorial...
THE RELIABILITY OF THE BIBLE
Garland M. Robinson
How reliable is the Bible? To be sure, its the only perfect
book the world has ever known or will know. But, how do we know the
Bible we have today is the same as it was 2,000 years ago?
Thats a valid question. If the reliability of the Scriptures
is in question, then doubt might be placed on its
veracity/accuracy. Therefore, an examination of the following
should provide sufficient evidence for even the strongest doubter.
       
The historical reliability of the Scripture should be tested
by the same criteria that all historical documents are tested. They
are the bibliographical test, the internal evidence
test and the external evidence test. The
bibliographical test is simply an examination of the
textual transmission by which ancient documents exist today. In
other words, not having the original documents (penned by inspired
men) available to us, how reliable are the copies that exist of
these original texts? What about the number of manuscripts (MSS)
and the time interval between the original and extant (existing,
surviving) copies?
       
It is declared by B. B. Warfield (professor of theology at
Princeton Seminary from 1887-1921) that the facts show the great
majority of the New Testament has been transmitted to us with
no, or next to no, variation: and even in the most corrupt form in
which it has ever appeared, to use the oft-quoted words of Richard
Bentley, The real text of sacred writers is completely
exact;... nor is one article of faith or moral precept either
perverted or lost... choose as awkwardly as you will, choose the
worst by design, out of the whole lump of readings.
       
It can safely be said that the number of manuscripts of the
New Testament, of early translations from it, and of quotations
from it in the oldest writings of that time period, is so large
that it is certain that a true reading of every passage has been
preserved. This can be said of no other ancient book in the world.
       
Scholars are satisfied we possess the true texts of the
principle Greek and Roman writings of Sophocles (Grecian play
writer), Thucydides (Athenian historian and general), Cicero (Roman
philosopher, orator), Virgil (Roman poet), etc.; yet our knowledge
of their writings depends on a mere handful of manuscripts, whereas
the manuscripts of the New Testament are counted by hundreds and
even thousands.
       
There are some 8,000 manuscripts of the Latin Vulgate and at
least 1,000 for other early versions. Add another 4,000-5,000 Greek
manuscripts and we have 13,000-14,000 copies of portions of the New
Testament. In addition to this, much of the New Testament can be
reproduced from the quotations of early Christian writers.
       
One noticeable fact between the manuscripts of the New
Testament and those of antiquity is the time span between the
originals and the extant copies. The chart shows this time span in
regards to ancient works of antiquity generally accepted by
academia today.
AUTHOR |
WRITTEN |
EARLIEST COPY |
TIME SPAN |
COPIES |
Caesar
Plato
Tacitus
Pliny (younger)
Thucydides
Suetonius
Herodotus
Sophocles
Lurretius
Catullus
Aristotle |
100-44 B.C.
427-347 B.C.
100 A.D.
61-113 A.D.
460-400 B.C.
75-160 A.D.
480-425 B.C.
496-406 B.C.
died 55-53 B.C.
54 B.C.
384-322 B.C.
|
900 A.D.
900 A.D.
1,100 A.D.
850 A.D.
900 A.D.
950 A.D.
900 A.D.
1,000 A.D.
1,550 A.D.
1,100.A.D.
|
1,000 yrs.
1,200 yrs.
1,000 yrs.
750 yrs.
1,300 yrs.
800 yrs.
1,300 yrs.
1,400 yrs.
1,100 yrs.
1,600 yrs.
1,400 yrs.
|
10
7
20(-)
7
8
8
8
100
2
3
5
|
        Concerning the evidence of the New Testament, we find that
it was completed by the end of the first century A.D. Among the
13,000 manuscripts and fragments, we list here a few of the more
prominent copies. The Codex Sinaiticus (350 A.D.) is located
in the British Museum in London and contains almost all the New
Testament and dates within 254 years of the original. Also at the
British Museum is the Codex Alexandrinus (400 A.D.). It
contains almost the whole Bible and dates to within 300 years of
the original. The Codex Vaticanus (325-350 A.D.) is located
at the Vatican Library in Rome and contains nearly the whole Bible
and is within 229-254 years of the original. The Chester Beatty
Papyri (200 A.D.) is located in the Chester Beatty Museum in
Dublin, Ireland and dates within 100 years of the original. The
Bodmer Papyrus II (150-200 A.D.) is in the Bodmer library of
World Literature in Geneva and dates within 50-100 years of the
original. The John Ryland fragment (130 A.D.) is located in
the John Ryland Library in Manchester, England. It is the oldest
fragment of the New Testament and dates within one generation of
the original.
       
Biblical evidence is overwhelming. The text of the New
Testament has far more substantiation than any one piece of
historical literature, yet so many wish to cast doubt on it. Why
not apply the same test for the Bible as is applied to any other
piece of historical literature?
       
Another case in point involves the Dead Sea Scrolls
discovered in the Qumran caves on the northwestern shore of the
Dead Sea. They are dated from the last three centuries B.C. through
the first century A.D. and are made up of some 40,000 inscribed
fragments. From these, more than 500 books have been reconstructed.
Their discovery in 1946-1956 has helped to establish the accuracy
and reliability of the Bible. A complete manuscript of the Hebrew
text of Isaiah was found. The importance of this discovery is in
the exactness of the Isaiah scroll (dated at 125 B.C.) compared
with the oldest previous text then in existence (dated at 916
A.D.), a thousand years later. This demonstrates the unusual
accuracy of the copyists of the Scriptures over a thousand year
period.
       
The following quote was taken from a book entitled A
General Introduction to the Bible by Geisler and Nix:
Of the 166 words in Isaiah 53, there are only 17
letters in question. Ten of these letters are simply
a matter of spelling, which does not affect the
sense. Four more letters are minor stylistic changes,
such as conjunctions. The remaining three letters
comprise the word light, which is added in
verse 11, and does not affect the meaning greatly.
Furthermore, this word is supported by the LXX and 1
Q Is. Thus, in 1 chapter of 166 words, there is only
one word (3 letters) in question after a 1,000 years
of transmission and this word does not
significantly change the meaning of the passage.
 
Gleason Archer states that the Isaiah copies in the Dead Sea
find proved to be word for word identical with our standard
Hebrew Bible in more than 95% of the text. The 5% of variation
consisted chiefly of obvious slips of the pen and variations in
spelling.
       
It is a matter of wonder that through something like a
thousand years, the Biblical text went through no meaningful
change. When all the facts are known and compared, we have
overwhelming evidence for the accuracy and reliability of the Bible
we hold in our hands today. It is indeed the very Word of God!
       
God says through Isaiah (55:8-11), For my thoughts
[are] not your thoughts, neither [are] your ways my ways, saith the
LORD. 9For [as] the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my
ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.
10For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and
returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring
forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the
eater: 11So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my
mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall
accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper [in the thing]
whereto I sent it. Jeremiah 1:12, Then said the
LORD unto me...I will hasten my word to perform it. Psalms
119:160, Thy word [is] true [from] the beginning: and every
one of thy righteous judgments [endureth] for ever. Isaiah
40:8, The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: but the word
of our God shall stand for ever. Mark 13:31,
Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not
pass away. Second Timothy 3:16-17, All scripture
[is] given by inspiration of God, and [is] profitable for doctrine,
for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
17That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all
good works.
       
Men through the ages have sought to destroy Gods word
(cf. Jehoiakim, Jer. 36). However, they are dead and gone but
Gods Word still stands. It will always stand. It is the very
word that will be used to judge all of humanity in the last great
judgment day (John 12:48; Rev. 20:12). Are you ready for that day?
You will be there!
             
             
Table of Contents
ASA: A GOOD KING OF JUDAH
1 Kings 15; 2 Chronicles 14-16
Joe W. Nichols
In considering the twenty rulers [19 kings, 1 usurper] of Judah
[975-586 B.C.], only seven proved to be good kings. Among
those designated as good is Asa who reigned during the
divided kingdom: And in the twentieth year of Jeroboam king
of Israel [10 tribes of the North], began Asa to reign over
Judah (1 Kings 15:9). Asa reigned for forty-one years
[955-914 B.C] and the Bible says, And Asa did that which
was right in the eyes of the Lord, as did David his father
(v.11). Asa accomplished much in restoring the dignity of the
people of God before the Lord.
       
Asas reign was contemporary with Baasha of Israel who
had overthrown the house of Jeroboam (who had corrupted the worship
of the ten tribes of the North). The Bible says, And there
was war between Asa and Baasha king of Israel all their
days (1 Kings 15:16). Asa called on Benhadad king of Syria
to honor the League made between their fathers and with gifts of
silver and gold persuaded him to intervene on behalf of Judah in
the war against Israel.
       
Asas notable actions as king of Judah are worthy of our
consideration and to be commended for our day:
- He commanded the people to seek the Lord and do the law and
the commandments (2 Chron. 14:2).
- He gathered all Judah and Benjamin and those that sojourned
out of Ephraim, Manasseh and Simeon to sacrifice unto God in
Jerusalem and to seek the Lord with all their heart (2 Chron.
15:9).
- He removed all the idols from the land that his father
Abijam had made in causing the people to sin (1 Kings 15:12).
- He put away the sodomites out of the land (1 Kings
15:12).
- He removed his mother Maacah from being queen because she
had made an image to the Asherah [female goddess]. The Bible says
that he made dust of it and burned it at the brook Kidron (2 Chron.
15:16-17).
       
Zerah the Ethiopian came against Judah with an army
of a thousand thousand, and three hundred chariots into the valley
of Zephathah (2 Chron. 14:9-10). And Asa cried
unto the Lord...Lord, there is none besides thee to help, between
the mighty and him that hath no strength: help us, O Lord, our God,
for we rely on thee, and in thy name are we come against this
multitude (2 Chron. 14:11). We read further and learn,
So the Lord smote the Ethiopians before Asa, and before
Judah; and the Ethiopians fled...and there fell of the Ethiopians
so many that they could not recover themselves, for they were
destroyed before the Lord and His host; and they carried away much
booty (v.12).
       
Asa wavered somewhat in his character during his latter
reign. The Bible says that he relied on the king of Syria rather
than on God, and also allowed the Syrian host to escape out of his
hand. God sent Hanani the seer to him reminding him of his victory
over the Ethiopians and the Lubim (a huge host), saying,
For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the
whole earth, to show Himself strong in behalf of them whose heart
is perfect toward Him (2 Chron. 16:9). In a rage, Asa
imprisoned Hanani and oppressed some of the people (v.10). Sadly,
in the remaining three years of his reign, he found himself sorely
diseased in his feet and in his disease, he sought not God,
but to the physicians (v.12). Ultimately, this led to his
demise (v.14). Seemingly, in giving an overall picture of Asas
life and work, the Bible says, nevertheless, the heart of
Asa was perfect all his days (2 Chron. 15:17).
       
There is much to learn from the good kings of
Judah. We would desire that our present-day rulers learn their
godly traits. How much better than to suffer the bitter
consequences of the rulers, who according to Bible history, turned
away from God resulting in unsuspecting multitudes being led into
eternal destruction.
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Bastrop, LA 71221
Table of Contents
GOD TAKES GREAT DELIGHT IN THOSE WHO ARE TRUTHFUL
Marvin L. Weir
One is not truthful who claims to love God but refuses to heed
His Word for answers regarding spiritual matters. Christ said to
His apostles, If ye love me, ye will keep my
commandments (John 14:15). One who does not love the Lord
cannot be saved, and one who does not keep the Lords
commandments does not love Him. It is therefore a lie to claim to
love the Lord while keeping the commandments of men. A so-called
faith without love cannot save ones soul. One who desires to
go to Heaven must remember that in Jesus Christ neither
circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision; but faith
which worketh by love (Gal. 5:6). A person seeking to save
his soul will also remember that the apostle Paul said let
God be true, but every man a liar (Rom. 3:4). It is thus
nothing more than a lie for one to declare his love for God while
steadfastly refusing to obey His Word.
       
Solomon experienced all this world has to offer. The life he
lived enabled him to be acutely aware of both the good and the bad.
He knew what would be profitable to a person as well as what would
prove to be a detriment to ones peace of mind and true
happiness. Thus, the wise man said, Lying lips [are]
abomination to the LORD: but they that deal truly [are] his
delight (Prov. 12:22).
       
Our society, at least in years gone by, thought that lying
is that which children should not do. It is true that young folks
need to speak the truth, but so do adults. It is utter folly for
adults to engage in lying while insisting their children tell the
truth.
       
There is no sin more common today than the sin of lying.
Lying has become a way of life in the oval office, the halls of
Congress, the school-rooms, and the home. Even in the spiritual
realm most prefer a lie instead of the truth. If people do not have
a love for the truth, God will send them strong delusion,
that they should believe a lie (2 Thess. 2:10-11). May a
study of the subject of lying encourage us to speak and obey the
truth!
       
In the minds of many people nothing comes so easy as
lying. Without any thought or effort, lies freely flow from
some peoples lips. Some children get lots of coaching and
practice from an early age. A father goes fishing or golfing but
leaves instructions with the children to tell his employer that he
is sick and has gone to the doctor. When some parents do not wish
to speak to someone on the phone, they tell their children to say
they are not at home. Children quickly learn that in certain
situations it is preferable to lie rather than tell the truth.
       
Christians are admonished to speak the truth! It is
reasonable to expect that worldly people will lie when it is to
their advantage. It is also reasonable to expect a child of God to
always speak the truth. Such is not always the case, however,
because psychology and worldly wisdom has influenced some folks
more than the Holy Bible.
       
Paul tells Christians to lie not one to another,
seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds
(Col. 3:9). A child of God is supposed to be a new
creature in Christ Jesus (2 Cor. 5:17). But if the situation
warrants it or the circumstances encourage it, many members of the
body will not hesitate to lie. The great lesson to be learned is
that the situation ethics mentality and the end
justifies the means philosophy are false. God has never been
pleased with those who do not speak the truth. A lying tongue has
always been that which God hates; and, He declares it an
abomination (Prov. 6:16-17).
       
Lying is an abomination to God because His great enemy is
the father of lies! Jesus told the Pharisees of His day,
Ye are of [your] father the devil, and the lusts of your
father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode
not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he
speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the
father of it (John 8:44). Satan has again and again
distinguished himself by wearing the title of liar. Since the devil
has been called the father of lies, the willful liar is
testimony of his parentage. One who willfully lies confirms to all
humanity that his allegiance is to the devil!
       
Lying is the exact opposite of Gods nature! The
Old Testament declares, God [is] not a man, that he should
lie; neither the son of man, that he should repent: hath he said,
and shall he not do [it]? or hath he spoken, and shall he not make
it good (Num. 23:19)? The New Testament is also quick to
remind us that God cannot lie (Titus 1:2).
       
Truth comes from God (John 8:40), and Christ testifies that
His Word is truth (John 17:17). It is truth that will free one from
the bondage of sin (John 8:32), and it is truth (Word of Christ)
that will judge all people in that Day (John 12:48).
       
There will be no liars in Heaven! The apostle John
says that all liars will have their part in the lake
that burneth with fire and brimstone (Rev. 21:8). John
also notes that outside the gates of the Heavenly city
[are] dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers,
and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie (Rev.
22:15). The apostle Paul declares that whoremongers, and
them that defile themselves with mankind, liars, and perjured
persons are contrary to sound doctrine (1 Tim. 1:10). In regard to
heaven, John notes: there shall in no wise enter into it
any thing that defileth, neither [whatsoever] worketh abomination,
or [maketh] a lie (Rev. 21:27). The caliber of people that
will keep liars company throughout eternal torment shows Gods
disdain for this sin (cf. Rev. 22:15).
       
May it be said of those who call themselves children of God
that they will not deal falsely with God nor their fellowman (cf.
Isa. 63:8).
              484 CR 44700
             
Blossom, TX 75416
Table of Contents
UNDERSTANDING GRACE #6
(Grace Teaches Us)
Bill Boyd
As in all his epistles, Paul begins his letter to Titus with a
salutation of grace. Titus 1:4, Grace, mercy, and peace
from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ our Saviour.
And so also he closes, Grace be with you all
(Titus 3:5). Grace is as much a part of Gods nature as is love
(1 John 4:8,16); and when it comes to eternal salvation, what our
loving God has provided by grace is for all. Titus 2:11,
For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to
all men. But salvation is not by grace alone because it is
evident that all are not saved. Neither does grace excuse sin.
       
The salvation we have by the grace of God is salvation FROM
sin; it is not salvation IN sin. The grace of God does not negate
the need for repentance. Those who teach that grace excuses sin are
among those ungodly men who would turn the
grace of our God into lasciviousness (Jude 4). They preach
the lie of Satan who said from the beginning, ye shalt not
surely die (Gen. 3:4). Rather, having appeared to all men,
grace expects a response, and God, by his grace, has taught us what
that response should be. Titus 2:11-14, For the grace of
God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, Teaching us
that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live
soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; Looking for
that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and
our Saviour Jesus Christ; Who gave himself for us, that he might
redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar
people, zealous of good works.
       
We find in this text seven things that grace teaches us.
       
1) Grace teaches us to deny ungodliness.
Ungodliness is a disregard for God. It does not require active
defiance. Passive disregard is sufficient. In Psalm 1:1 David
writes of the counsel of the ungodly. He is
talking about those who have no regard for God. As in Psalm 10:4,
The wicked, through the pride of his countenance, will not
seek after God: God is not in all his thoughts. And as in
Psalm 14:1, The fool hath said in his heart, There is no
God. Certainly it is foolish to deny the existence of God,
and that is ungodly, but read the verse carefully and note that the
words, there is, are in italics indicating they
are not in the text but supplied by the translators. Read without
the supplied words the verse says, The fool says in his
heart, No God. This leads to the question, Who is the
bigger fool? Is it the one who denies that God exists, or the one
who, knowing there is a God, refuses him? The refusal is not just
with the mouth; it is with the heart. God is not in his thoughts.
Psalm 10:4, The wicked, through the pride of his
countenance, will not seek after God: God is not in all his
thoughts. The book of Proverbs presents a contrast between
the wise and the fool. It is not a contrast
between the intelligent and the simpleton. It is a contrast of
attitudes toward God. The wise man is the man that acknowledges and
reveres God. The fool is the man that does not have God in his
thoughts. To deny ungodliness as he tells us to
do, is to put God and his will in the context of all we think and
do.
       
2) Grace teaches us to deny...worldly
lust. Lust is desire, and desire itself is not wrong,
but this is worldly lust, the desire of worldly things, and in this
context, the desire of the evil things of this world. James 1:14-
15, Every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own
lust, and enticed. Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth
sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.
First John 2:15-17, Love not the world, neither the things
that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the
Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the
flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of
the Father, but is of the world. And the world passeth away, and
the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for
ever. Our response to Gods grace takes place in the
heart. It is not enough to deny yourself evil worldly things, but
to deny yourself the evil worldly desire of those things.
Colossians 3:1-5, If ye then be risen with Christ, seek
those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right
hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on
the earth. For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in
God. When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also
appear with him in glory. Mortify therefore your members which are
upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection,
evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry.
       
3) Grace teaches us to live soberly.
This means we are to live thoughtfully, seriously, putting your
flesh under the control of your mind. Either your flesh is going to
rule you, or you are going to rule your flesh. The reason some
people say, I cant help myself, is because they have
lost control of themselves. They may not believe they can control
themselves, but they can. The mind of man is part of the spirit of
man, and the spirit is stronger than the flesh. In Romans 8:1 Paul
tells us, walk not after the flesh, but after the
Spirit. To walk after the Spirit it is bring the passions
of our flesh under the teaching of the Holy Spirit. Therefore, it
means to live soberly, thoughtfully, mindfully.
       
4) Grace teaches us to
live...righteously. This means to live in
accordance with Gods commandments. Psalm 119:172 says,
all thy commandments are righteousness. The
expectation of grace for us to live righteously is reinforced by
these two similar passages: First Timothy 6:11, But thou,
O man of God...follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love,
patience, meekness. Second Timothy 2:22, follow
righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the
Lord out of a pure heart.
       
5) Grace teaches us to live...godly. We
have discussed ungodliness above, and in contrast to ungodliness,
this is living a life of reverence and respect for God. It is the
life of a man that worships, and carries with him from the worship,
a reverence toward God that is seen in all he does. That does not
mean all of life is worship, but it does mean all of life is to be
lived with the reverence toward God that we have when we are
gathered for worship. Without a life of reverence, worship is
hypocrisy.
       
Grace teaches us to look for the appearing of Jesus
Christ. Titus 2:13, Looking for that blessed hope, and
the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus
Christ. Grace teaches us hope. Sometimes this world looks
hopeless, but it is not, there is always hope. Ultimately, our hope
is for the Lords appearance and return. Henceforth
there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which there Lord,
the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only,
but unto all those that love his appearing (2 Tim. 4:8).
       
On the side, I want to mention something that is evident in
Pauls expression above. There is a rule of Greek Grammar that
is called the Granville Sharps Rule. It states that when
you have two descriptive nouns which are not proper names (such as
Cephas, or Paul, or Timothy); and the two nouns are connected by
the conjunction and; and the first noun has the
article, the, while the second does not, then both
nouns are referring to the same person. In Titus 2:13 the nouns
God and Saviour are not names, so
they are not proper nouns, and the article, the,
is before the first noun God, but not before the
second noun Saviour. That means the great
God and our Saviour are referring to the
same person, and the person is identified as Jesus
Christ. That makes Jesus God. The Jehovahs
Witnesses deny that Jesus is God, but Paul (inspiration)
affirms that He is!
       
7) Grace teaches us to be zealous of good
works. Titus 2:14, Who gave himself for us,
that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself
a peculiar people, zealous of good works. One who is
zealous is one with a burning desire, and these
good works embrace all our obligations to God and
man. Notice the contrast in Titus 1:16 between those who are
unto every good work reprobate and those in Titus
2:14 who are zealous of good works. The word
reprobate means they are failures, and in this
contrast those who are zealous are accomplishing the good
works that grace expects from them, and therefore they are obedient
to God in all things.
       
Titus 3:4-7 teaches us that man cannot merit his own
salvation through works of righteousness. But after that
the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared, Not
by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his
mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of
the Holy Ghost; Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ
our Saviour; That being justified by his grace, we should be made
heirs according to the hope of eternal life. But this does
mean that man is not responsible for his works, for the very next
verse says, This is a faithful saying, and these things I
will that thou affirm constantly, that they which have believed in
God might be careful to maintain good works. These things are good
and profitable unto men (Titus 3:8). It is only when man
tries to force a false doctrine of grace without obedience into
these passages that they appear in conflict. Good works do not earn
salvation, but grace expects and demands a response of good works
(Titus 2:11-14). Good works are not meritorious, but they are to be
carefully maintained (Titus 3:4-8).
       
The grace of God teaches us to respond, and it teaches us
how to respond. Titus 3:5, according to his mercy he saved
us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy
Spirit. That is water baptism. If you want the benefit of
the grace of God that bringeth salvation, then you must believe and
obey the Gospel of Jesus Christ and live in accordance with what it
teaches. Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast,
unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as
ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord (1 Cor.
15:58).
              6 of 6
             
647 Finger Bluff Road
             
Morrison, TN 37357
Table of Contents
IN THE BLINK OF AN EYE
Psalm 6:6, I am weary with my groaning; all the night
make I my bed to swim; I water my couch with my tears.
       
Every time you blink, you bathe the surface of your eye with
a astonishing fluid called tears. Tears are not simply a
salty water solution. They are made of water, but also have oils,
electrolytes and sticky carbohydrates called mucins. In addition,
they contain antibacterial and antiviral substances. One of these
substances is called lysozyme. Any bacteria or virus that finds
itself in tear fluid has a 95 percent chance of being dead within
ten minutes. That blink of an eye keeps the surface of the eye
properly moisturized so that our vision remains clear. Without this
moisturization, your eyes would become red and painful, and, if
untreated, you would probably go blind. Tear fluid also provides
needed oxygen to the surface of your eyes.
       
But perhaps the most amazing property of tears is even more
unexpected. Humans are the only creatures that cry emotional tears.
Studies have shown that the ability to cry and produce tears
actually helps us cope with emotional situations. There are some
inherited diseases which make people unable to cry tears. Studies
have shown that people with this disease cannot deal well with
stress.
       
Tears are a blessing in many ways. But we also remember that
God has promised to wipe away all our tears when we reach heaven.
              --Creation moments
             
Table of Contents
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Table of Contents
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