“If… You Might Be A Fool”

by Phil T. Arnold

Several years ago as Carol and I were traveling in Tennessee, we stumbled across a comedy cassette by a then relatively unknown country comedian named Jeff Foxworthy who has gone on to greater fame.  One of the things that we appreciated about it was that the tape had been edited for family listening by removing all of the offensive words and any offensive jokes, which is exactly what my family (Carol and I) wanted.  Jeff Foxworthy’s most famous routine consists of listing some characteristic beginning with “if” that according to him denote a “redneck” and then follow the definition by always saying, “You might be a redneck”.  Some may still be offended by some of the things that he says but they seem to be presented in good fun and we need to develop our ability to laugh – especially at ourselves.  Most recently as we were studying in the book of Proverbs, I thought how well Foxworthy’s pattern fit as we examined the Proverbs description of a “fool”.

Now understand that a “fool” in the book of Proverbs and most often elsewhere in the Bible does not relate to “I.Q” or one’s intellectual attainment.  Instead it refers to one’s willingness to listen to and follow the directions of God for living.  Unger’s Bible Dictionary says, “The word is used in Scripture with respect to moral more than to intellectual deficiencies.  The ‘fool’ is not so much one lacking in mental powers, as one who misuses them…In Scripture the ‘fool’…is the person who casts off the fear of God, and thinks and acts as if he could safely disregard the eternal principles of God’s righteousness.”  The “wise” man listens to and follows God’s directions while the fool refuses to listen to and follow God’s directions.  This is likewise reflected in the parable of the two builders with which Jesus closed His most famous sermon, the Sermon on the Mount.  Here He spoke of the man who heard and did His will as being wise and the man who heard His sayings and yet did not do them as being foolish (see Matt.7:24-27).  In greater detail the book of Proverbs suggests characteristics that will be seen in the fool that leads to this tragic outcome of turning a deaf hear to God’s guidance.  For example:

1.  IF YOU THINK THAT YOU ALREADY KNOW IT ALL, YOU MIGHT BE A FOOL. PROVERBS 18:13  “He who answers a matter before he hears {it}, it {is} folly and shame to him.” PROVERBS 12:15 “The way of a fool {is} right in his own eyes, but he who heeds counsel {is} wise.”  PROVERBS 28:26 “He who trusts in his own heart is a fool, but whoever walks wisely will be delivered.”  In contrast the wise man puts his trust in the Lord.  PROVERBS 3:5-6 “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.”

2.  IF YOU ARE HIGHLY OPINIONATED, YOU MIGHT BE A FOOL. PROVERBS 18:2 “A fool has no delight in understanding, but in expressing his own heart.”  PROVERBS 14:33 “Wisdom rests {quietly} in the heart of him who has understanding, but {what is} in the heart of fools is made known.”  Even though his opinions may be obviously foolish.  PROVERBS 12:23  “A prudent man conceals knowledge, but the heart of fools proclaims foolishness.”  PROVERBS 13:16 “Every prudent {man} acts with knowledge, but a fool lays open {his} folly.”  Do you freely express strong opinions concerning things about which you have limited knowledge and experience?  If so, you might be a fool.

3.  IF YOU TURN A DEAF HEAR TO INSTRUCTION, YOU MIGHT BE A FOOL.  PROVERBS 1:7  “The fear of the Lord {is} the beginning of knowledge, {but} fools despise wisdom and instruction.”  PROVERBS 15:5  “A fool despises his father’s instruction, but he who receives reproof is prudent.”  It has been said that “you can tell a fool, but you can’t tell him much.”  The unwillingness to listen to wise counsel from God, from those who are wise and from those who have been down the path of life before you such as your parents; is a great indication of one who is a fool.

4.  IF YOU HAD RATHER TALK THAN LISTEN, YOU MIGHT BE A FOOL.  PROVERBS 10:8 “The wise in heart will receive commands, but a prating fool will fall.”   PROVERBS 15:7 “The lips of the wise disperse knowledge, but the heart of the fool {does} not {do} so.”  Being highly opinionated and not willing to listen to the advice of others, the fool freely dispensed his foolish advice to others.  Does that describe you?

5.  IF YOU REFUSE TO BE CORRECTED EVEN BY DISCIPLINE, YOU MIGHT BE A FOOL. PROVERBS 12:1  “Whoever loves instruction loves knowledge, but he who hates reproof {is} stupid.”   PROVERBS 16:22  “Understanding {is} a wellspring of life to him who has it. but the correction of fools {is} folly.”  PROVERBS 17:10  “Reproof is more effective for a wise man than a hundred blows on a fool.”  PROVERBS 19:29  “Judgments are prepared for scoffers, and beatings for the backs of fools.”  PROVERBS 26:3  “A whip for the horse, a bridle for the donkey, and a rod for the fool’s back.”   Do you constantly find yourself being disciplined and in trouble?  Do you learn from your mistakes or are you a repeat offender?  PROVERBS 26:11  “As a dog returns to his own vomit, so a fool repeats his folly.”  Does that sound too familiar?  The answer might indicate that you are a fool.

6.  IF YOU BLAME GOD FOR THE PROBLEMS OF YOUR LIFE, YOU MIGHT BE A FOOL.  PROVERBS 19:3  “The foolishness of a man twists his way, and his heart frets against the Lord.”  Are you unwilling to accept responsibility for your own actions and choices?  Do you always have an “excuse” for the things that you have done that are wrong?  You might be a fool.

Many other examples could be found throughout the Proverbs of the characteristics of a fool.  If you “fly off the handle” (14:29), if you are only concerned with earthly things (17:24), if you cannot be changed for the better (27:22), if you never lose an argument (29:9), if you “vent” all your feelings (29:12)…you might be a fool!  The term “fool” is harsh and one which no one would like to apply to themselves.  It is a term that should not be used lightly considering Jesus’ warning in Matthew 5:21-22.  But it is a term that truly applies to anyone who refuses to heed the words of Christ and do them (Matt.7:24-27) as it surely does to that man who would say that there is no God (Psa.14:1).  If we fail to take advantage of the wonderful wisdom of the Proverbs by not looking into its divine instructions for reproof and guidance, we reveal ourselves to be a fool.

Do You Respect God’s Silence?

by Phil T. Arnold

It is one thing to submit to the positive commands and prohibitions of God.  It is another to give deference to His silence.  In fact, our reaction to the silence of God may well be a better indication of our reverence for Him and His authority.  Do you respect the silence of God?

Exactly what do we mean by respecting God’s “silence”?  What we are talking about is often illustrated through the parent/child relationship.  Let us suppose that a parent sends their child to the store with the directions to pick up a quart of milk, a dozen eggs and a loaf of bread.  When the child returns and the sack is opened, the parent finds each of the items specified but in addition there is a jar of strawberry preserves.  Has the child respected the authority of their parent?  No, the child has made an addition to those things authorized by the parent to be purchased.  The child might offer as his reasoning, “Well, you didn’t say not to get any strawberry preserves and I think that they will make the bread taste so much better.”  But whose authority has been manifested?  Not the parent’s but the child’s.  

We understand that it would be ridiculous to expect a parent to specify everything available in the store to preclude the child from the liberty to purchase them.  We understand that when the parent specifies what is desired this automatically excludes all else if the parent’s wishes are to be carried out.  This is the reasoning of the Hebrew writer in Hebrews 7:14 in talking about the change in the covenant necessary in order for Jesus Christ to be our High Priest.  He writes: “For {it is} evident that our Lord arose from Judah, of which tribe Moses spoke nothing concerning priesthood.”  God did not have to list every tribe and forbid that priests come from them in order to express His will.  He simply said that priests were to come from the tribe of Levi.  By that positive statement God excluded priests from any other tribe and only from Levi could priests be selected if His will was to be respected and carried out.  Not even our Lord could infringe upon this “silence” of God concerning the tribe of His birth.  There had to be a change in the law in order for there to be priests of the tribe of Judah, the tribe of our Lord’s birth, and thus for Jesus to be our High Priest.

When God specifies what He wants, it excludes all else of that category or nature.  The classic Biblical example is God’s command for Noah to build the ark. While there are some commands God gave to Noah that were general, God specifically told Noah to build the ark of Gopher wood.  Isn’t it obvious that if Noah used Pine or Oak or Birch that he would not have done what God had told him to do?  But why?  God didn’t say not to use these other kinds of wood.  He didn’t say, “Thou shalt not us Pine or Oak or Birch.”  Yet, we understand that specifying the wood He desired, Gopher wood, excluded any and all other kinds of wood.  If God had just told Noah to build an ark, he could have built it out of any material that he desired and been pleasing to God.  If God had simply told Noah to build an ark of wood, Noah could rightfully have selected any wood that he thought best and would have been respecting God and doing His will.  But once God specified “Gopher wood”, there was no other wood that Noah could use and reverence God.

Well, concerning our previous example of the parent and child someone might interpose, “It really wouldn’t bother me all that much if my child got some strawberry preserves also.  After all they did get the things I sent them to the store to get.”  But what if you had also told them, “You shall not add to the word which I command you, nor take from it…” (Deut.4:2)?  Could you not then see the obvious disobedience?  Of course you could!  This is what God has required (Deut.4:2; 5:32,33; Gal.1:8,9; Rev.22:18,19).

Some of the most common arguments concerning the addition of instruments of music to our singing worship of God are: “God didn’t say we couldn’t” and “It is just an aid to improve our singing.”  Does God have to list everything He does not desire to exclude it?  Does not His positive statements concerning what He desires (Eph.5:19; Col.3:16) exclude additions?  Just because we think something improves our worship does not mean that God has authorized it or will accept it.  Such is our opinion and our will rather than God’s.  The child might think that the strawberry preserves will improve the bread but to purchase those preserves is to fail to respect their parent’s authority in the matter.  We might think that the instrument will improve our musical worship and we might point to the fact that God didn’t expressly forbid them, but to add the instrument is to fail to respect His “silence” and reverence His authority in the matter.
The Bible does not say, “Thou shalt not use an instrument of music in worship of God.”  It does say, “sing and make melody in your heart” (Eph.5:19).  The Lord has specified that we “sing”.  There are two kinds of music, vocal and instrumental.  God has specified vocal and is silent about instrumental just as God specified Gopher wood and said nothing about Pine.  Instrumental music in worship is not wrong simply because God said nothing about it but because God specified that we “sing” 
It is obvious to those who would study the Scriptures that our Lord has commanded “singing” as the form of musical worship He desires in His church and “spoke nothing concerning instruments” in His testament.  The denominational world and many of our brethren have used the silence of God to bring about change according to their will rather than God’s.  Let we reveal our respect for God by carefully observing and doing all that He has commanded, and let us also reveal our reverence for Him by noting His silence and not adding to His will.

Can I Change What God Has Commanded?

by Phil T. Arnold

The answer to that question is of course very easy.  I have no right to change any-thing that God has commanded and if I have reverence for God I would not even think of doing such.  The same holds true not only for me as an individual but for any other individ-ual or any group or organization.  Man cannot change the commands of God without revealing his lack of reverence for God (Deut.4:1-2; Rev.22:18-19).

This principle is certainly true concerning the area of worship.  God is not only concerned with man worshipping Him but also with HOW they worship Him.  This is plainly seen in the words of Christ with the Samaritan woman at the well.  Jesus said: “But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him. “God {is} Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.”  (John 4:23-24).  God is not only seeking worshippers but He desires a particular kind of worshipper.  Those who would worship Him “in spirit” (sincerely, from the heart) and “truth” (according to His Word – John 17:17).

This truth concerning worship of God is confirmed repeatedly throughout His Word from the first worshippers of Cain and Abel (Gen.4:1-5; Heb.11:4) to the presumptuous worship offered by Nadab and Abihu (Lev.10:1-2) to the traditions of the Pharisees (their additions to the Law) that made their worship vain (Matt.15:1-9).  In each case when God’s will was not followed and men altered or changed the command of God, their worship was an abomination before the Lord.  Why would we think that it would be any different today?

In last week’s bulletin, we noted that the use of instruments of music is worship is not a dead issue.  There are “change agents” who continue to attempt to introduce into churches of Christ such apostate worship to conform to the churches of men.  While the absence of instruments of music in worship continues to be one of the more visible and most noticed distinctions between the Lord’s church and the churches of men.  Concerning this “change” in worship that some are trying to bring into the Lord’s church and the “change” that has been introduced into virtually all of the churches of men we would simply ask, “Who gave them the right to change what God has commanded?”

It is very easy to observe what God has commanded concerning music in worship.  There are nine references in the New Testament which deal with the disciples of Christ using music as a means of worshipping God.  Take the time to read and study these passages (Matt.26:30; Acts 16:25; Rom.15:9; 1 Cor.14:15,26; Eph.5:19; Col.3:16; Heb.2:12; Jam.5:13).  As you examine these passages, you will notice that instrumental music is conspicuous by its absence.  There is not one mention of the use of instruments in the worship of God apart from the human voice.  There is not one shred of evidence to support the idea that the New Testament church ever used instruments of music in worship.  There is not one reputable Bible scholar who would begin to suggest that they did.

Since no instruments of music can be found in the first century church, one might be moved to ask when did they come about and where did they come from?  That question is not easily answered for historical authorities often disagree.  While there are hints and inferences of the limited use of instruments in worship earlier, it is generally agreed that it was not until the 7th century before the instrument received any amount of approval in worship among those claiming to be Christians.  But regardless of the exact date, it is obvious to all historians and students of the Bible that instrumental music was not used in the apostolic supervised church of our Lord of the first century.  While thought to be common and popular today and viewed as peculiar to have only acappella music in worship, truly instruments of music in worship is an innovation, a departure and a change from the worship of the New Testament church.

In fact, it might be of interest to some to note the opposition that accompanied the introduction of instrumental accompaniment to the song worship of most of the churches of men.  While the Latin Church was the first to give general approval of the instrument, it was never adopted by the Greek Church and encountered opposition from the side of the monks (Schaff-Herzogg Encyclopedia, Vol.2, p.1702).  John Calvin, leader in the Protestant Reformation, noted that Protestants should reject the use of the organ because of its origination with the Catholic Church and not the New Testament.  John Wesley, founder of the Methodist church, said, “I have no objection to instruments of music in our chapels provided they are neither herd or seen.”  Charles Spurgeon, considered one of the most influential Baptist ministers in history, was vehemently opposed to their use and never permitted them to be used in his congregation.  In commenting upon 1 Corinthians 14:15 he said, “I would as soon to pray to God with machinery as to sing to God with machinery.”  These men are not quoted as authorities for banning the instrument from use in worship for they are mere men.  They are simply quoted to show that instruments of music in worship by those claiming to be Christians has not always been accepted and opposition to it is not new.
 Using instruments of music in the worship of God in the Lord’s church is an idea that began with man and not God.  There are two kinds of music – vocal and instrumental.  In the New Testament, we find that the church used vocal.  “Speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, SINGING and making melody in your heart to the Lord” (Ephesians 5:19).  “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, SINGING with grace in your hearts to the Lord.” (Colossians 3:16).  Until someone can produce the authority from God to change that worship, we will continue to reverence God by worshipping Him according to His directions and not according to the commandments of men.

Lest We Be Defiled

by Phil T. Arnold

As one reads through the many regulations and requirements of the old law one appreciates so much the “better” and perfect law of liberty under which we live today.  But we must be careful lest we “use liberty as an opportunity for the flesh…” (Gal.5:13).  All of the technical rules and seemingly endless regulations that the Jews were given even cluttered the mind of some concerning what the Law was all about.  This one thing was unmistakably sure.  The commandments and statues that God gave to the children of Israel to observe were for their “good always” (Deut.6:24).  This is seen to be true in a number of ways one of which is the regulations that God gave concerning defilement. 

Many of the regulations that God gave concerning defilement had to do with sanitary hygiene and protecting the people from contagious diseases.  There is no indication that the people understood the significance of these principles as pertaining to their health and certainly neither did they understand the scientific basis of the spread of disease through germs, viruses and bacteria.  What they did know was that the God who had delivered them from bondage and adopted them as His own gave them certain requirements concerning cleanliness and contact with the diseased and the dead.   In order for the people to be aware of the importance of observing these regulations concerning defilement, those who became defiled were separated from their association with God’s people and from the service to God.

The modern world is greatly advanced in its understanding of such matters although we still grasp for a “cure” to the common cold.  Yet, I am not certain that we have come near as far in understanding the principles of defilement and the commands God has given us to observe lest we be defiled.  Of course, we are speaking of spiritual defilement.  Do we allow ourselves to come in contact with that which defiles and makes one unfit for association with God’s people and unfit for the service of the Master?  God’s word is replete with warnings.  “And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them.” (Eph.5:11).  “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service.  And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed…” (Rom.12:1-2).  “Do not be deceived: ‘Evil company corrupts good habits.” (1 Cor.15:33).  “Come out from among them and be separate, says the Lord.  And do not touch what is unclean…” 2 Cor.6:17).  “Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” (Rom.12:21).  “Keep oneself unspotted from the world.” (Jam.1:27).  Do we recognize the significance of these and other commands directing us that we might not be “defiled”?  Do we not understand that it is for our good that God so commands us?

While “all that is in the world” (1 John 2:16) might be brought into consideration, there is one matter I would bring before you at this time.  While the children of Israel went to great lengths to keep defilement out of their house, it seems that many of us invite it freely into our homes and give it prominent place in our lives and the lives of our families.  What I am thinking about is television.  I am not opposed to this wonderful technology nor do I fail to recognize the many positive things that have come along with it.  Yet, television may well be the great Trojan horse through which defilement that would not otherwise be tolerated is made acceptable or at least tolerable in our very homes.  “Fornication and all uncleanness or covetous-ness…filthiness…foolish talking… course jesting…” become a part of our family hour and make us “unclean” (Eph.5:3-5).  Why is it that humor is most often found in that which perverts the beauty of the sexual relationship God intended in marriage?  Why is it that topics for talk shows tend to lean toward the amoral and perverted?  Why is it that even those wonderful nature shows that I love have to slip in several statements about the “age of the earth” and the “fact”(?) of evolution?  And why are those who “do not run with them in the same flood of dissipation…” spoken evil of (1 Pet.4:4) and made out to be ignorant, backward objects of disdain?  Not everything coming across the airways is the message of Satan, but a great deal of it is the unfruitful works of darkness with which the Christian is to have no fellowship but rather is to expose (Eph.5:11).

Must one throw every television set out of his home and park it by the curb for collection day?  No, such is not necessarily required; but that might be an appropriate response that would prove most effective.  Certainly that person who is not discriminat-ing in what he watches and is not regulating what is being watched by their children is freely allowing their minds and lives and those of their children to be defiled.  Such defilement makes us unfit for association with God’s people and unfit for His service.

God provided for the children of Israel who became defiled to be made clean again.  So too, for us today.  For that one who is not a child of God, the watery grave of baptism awaits their belief, repentance and confession that they might have their defilement washed away (Rom.6:3-4; John 8:24; Acts 2:38; Rom.10:9,10; Acts 22:16).  For the child of God who has become defiled, repentance and confession is required that they might be cleansed (Acts 8:22; 1 John 1:8-10).  What joy there must have been for that Israelite who had been defiled and separated from the people of God and the service of God to be cleansed and returned to that rightful relationship!  How much more the joy as we are cleansed of our spiritual defilement, brought into rightful fellowship with God’s people and once more are made a “vessel for honor, sanctified and useful for the Master, prepared for every good work.” (2 Tim.2:21).  Remember, concerning heaven Jesus said, “But there shall by no means enter if anything that defiles…but only those who are written in the Lamb’s Book of life.” (Rev.21:27)

Canceling Services for the Super Bowl

by Phil T. Arnold

A couple of weeks ago on Sunday evening one of our men (Randy Garrett) presented a very interesting and personal lesson dealing with the objections that he had to overcome that he might become a Christian.  I listened with great interest and admiration for the ability of one to see the truth when confronted with it regardless of the personal choices that truth demanded.  One of the things which Randy mentioned that impressed me was the inconsistency he observed between the message preached of “putting the Lord and spiritual matters first” and the actions of canceling services for the Super Bowl – even if the Cowboys were playing.  I hope none of us had a problem seeing such as an inconsistency and thus realizing why it caused Randy to begin to question other matters of the religion of his youth and family.  But did we as parents not see the obvious application to our spiritual circumstances????

It is wonderful to think that this inconsistency was a small crack in someone’s confidence in a “false religion” that led him to consider and eventually see the truth.  But what would we think about the inconsistencies in our own practices causing those who have the truth to begin to question whether or not it is so?  We as parents are in a most influential position.  If we believe that we have the truth, we must live consistent with that message to give our children confidence that it is the truth.  Satan has enough devices to try to introduce doubt into the lives of our children and undermine their faith.  We certainly don’t need to help him by playing the hypocrite.

Yes, it would be wrong to cancel services for a Super Bowl – even if the Cowboys are playing (or as far as I am concerned, especially if the Cowboys are playing).  But what have we personally put before attending the services and in effect “canceled” services at least for us and/or our family?  Do we tell our children that we are to put the Lord and spiritual matters first in our lives and then decide to miss the assemblies for everything from company to convenience and entertainment to sporting events?  Parents, realize how such choices influence your children.  It may be that such inconsistencies in our own lives will lead our children at some crucial time in their own lives to doubt and even depart from the faith.

“Train up a child in the way he should go,
And when he is old he will not depart from it.”
(Proverbs 22:6)

“Train up a child in the way he should go,
By going that way yourself.”
(Abraham Lincoln)

We Visited an Amish Town

by Phil T. Arnold

On our vacation early this month, Carol and I had the opportunity to spend a short time in an Amish town in north central Missouri by the name of Jamesport.  It is interesting to see the yellow and black traffic signs giving warning as we neared the town.  Instead of picturing a deer, falling rocks or some other matter peculiar to the area about which motorists should be attentive, the signs depicted a horse-drawn black enclosed carriage.  And we were not disappointed as we spotted several of the conveyances so uncommon to us.

In fact, while Carol explored the local craft and antique stores, I stood on the corner of the two main cross streets and observed their “rush hour” traffic.  I did learn one thing about the carriage traffic at the four-way stop – - they don’t stop!  Talk about rolling a stop sign!  They didn’t even stop when an automobile was already waiting at the intersection to cross in front of them.  They simply slowed down, looked both ways and “bluffed” there way through.  I concluded that stopping and starting a one-horse carriage was more time consuming and difficult than stopping and starting a hundred-and-sixty horse automobile.

Another observation also crossed my mind as I observed the Amish mode or transportation as well as their unique attire – here is a people who surely are not conformed to the world but have failed to change the one thing absolutely necessary for them to change – their heart.  Their choice of vehicles and manner of life are certainly distinct from most of the other people in this world and akin only to those who share their particular faith.  The only trouble is that these life choices are not predicated upon the truth of God’s word but the traditions and teachings of men.  In this way, they are truly conformed to the world having rejected the truth of God for the teachings of men which makes all other distinctions from the world meaningless and their service to God vain (Matt.15:9).

Brethren, we must not be conformed to this world.

Are You Subject to Suggestions?

by Phil T. Arnold

by Phil T. Arnold

Are you subject to suggestions?  I hate to admit it but I am.  All Carol has to do is mention going to the mall and all of a sudden I don’t feel very well.  And if we go — well — my bad knee starts acting up, my back won’t let me stand for more than a few minutes without tightening up and my right hamstring (which I pulled over twenty years ago) starts to burn.  I don’t understand it!  On the other hand if someone mentions going golfing, the tension in my back begins to relax and the burning fades and…and…and…why is that? 

The TRUTH of the matter is that we are all subject to suggestions to some degree.  If there is something we like or want we will be more persuaded to seek it while if there is something we dislike or do not want we will more persuaded to find excuses to avoid it.  If there is someone you dislike, it is more likely that you will believe something negative about them.  If there is someone you like, it is less likely that you will believe something negative concerning them.  And this is the danger – not than an old injury acts up when we go to some place we would rather not be.  The danger is that we will make the wrong choices regarding TRUTH.

In fact, Carol and I have had some good laughs about my psychosomatic (or so she thinks) reactions to the mall.  My assorting aching body parts are not really as bad (most of time) as I feel that they are at the mall.  Understanding the TRUTH helps me deal with these negative suggestions that could cause me to avoid going to the mall with my wife.  Love for the TRUTH above all else will help us avoid being overly influenced by the many suggestions that Satan will make to encourage me to evil or discourage me from right.  Without that love for the TRUTH, Satan’s suggestions will win in my life.

Man’s Need for Authority

by Phil T. Arnold

The nature of man requires authority.  Man cannot provide this authority by himself.  Jeremiah said, “O Lord, I know the way of man is not in himself; it is not in man who walks to direct his own steps” (Jer.10:23; cf. Prov.14:12).  When man begins to act on his own authority, then he is trying to do what cannot be rightly done.  Some deny that we need authority for all that we do and teach.  But what are the grounds for such a position?  When people act or teach something without God’s authority, then they must look to one of two things: 1) themselves as the authority, or 2) other men as the authority.  Yet, the Bible condemns looking to men as the source of authority (Jer.10:23; Col.2:20-22; Matt.15:9; Rom.12:3; 1 Cor.4:6).  Without God’s authority, we only have man’s; and man’s authority is worthless without God.

Again, the position of humanism is that we do not need God to tell us what to do.  We must look to humanity as the highest source of authority.  But think about it.  If what one man or group says can be the source of authority, then what another man or group says can also be a source of authority, even if what they say contradicts what others say.  If one person can appeal to himself or another man as authority, then why can’t another person do the same?  Who is to say who is right or wrong?  When men contradict each other, how will the issues and questions be settled?  Where else can we appeal?  Without God, confusion and every evil thing will exist in society.  We are seeing this first hand.  But the same principle applies to religious matters.  When those who claim to believe in God tell us that we do not need authority for a particular belief or practice, they are unwittingly taking the position of humanism.  Only division and evil will result.  There is no way for us to be united based on the authority of man.

Sadly, this attitude has invaded the Lord’s people.  The various and sundry divisions among Christians are the result of a failure to submit to God’s authority.  Instead of recognizing that we must have authority for all we do and teach, some are insisting that the pleas for authority are legalistic and unnecessary.  “The church must change with the times,” we hear.  Such attitudes are a rejection of the authority of God’s Word. 

It is also a rejection of Jesus Christ (Matt.28:18; John 12:48). A Standard of right and wrong is essential.  The only way that truth and error can be distinquished is by having an objective Standard by which all else is to be judged.  This Standard is God’s inspired Word (2 Tim.3:16,17).  Without the Bible, we cannot know God’s will.  We can only act according to our own will, which will ultimately bring destruction (Prov.14:12).  This is why it is vital for us to plead for “book, chapter and verse” for what we do.  “If anyone speaks, let him speak as the oracles of God” (1 Pet.4:11).  A firm grounding in and heeding of the Book is the only acceptable starting point for doing God’s will (1 Cor.2:9-13).  Unless God has revealed something to us in His Word, there is no way that we can say we are doing God’s will.  There is no way that we can act with authority, unless God has, in some way, revealed it in the Scriptures.

AN INSIGHTFUL QUESTION
The Pharisees recognized the need for authority when they asked Jesus, “By what authority are You doing these things?  And who gave You this authority?” (Matt.21:23).  Jesus did not shout them down or tell them they were wrong for asking. 

The Ninth Commandment: Speaking the Truth

by Phil T. Arnold

Introduction:
   A. While the ninth command directly speaks to testimony given, the principle involved is simply “Speaking the Truth” (Ex.20:16).
   B. “Bearing false witness” is something that God hates (Prov.6:16-19).

Body:
   A. God’s prohibition against lying (Ex.20:16).
      1. When we get into the business of not telling the truth we join Satan’s family (John 8:42-47).
      2. Satan’s first efforts to destroy the “good” of life came through a lie (John 10:10; 1 Cor.4:4,6).
   B. Man’s propensity to lie (John 8:44).
      1. Man often lies to himself (Rom.12:3).
      2. Man often lies to God (Acts 5:4).
      3. Man often lies to his neighbor (Lk.23:1; Gen.39:14-20; Matt.26:69-75).
   C. God’s provision to eliminate lying (Eph.4:17-32).
      1. Learn the truth (Eph.4:21; John 8:32; 17:17; Psa.119:142).
      2. Love the truth (Eph.4:15; 2 Thess.2:10-12; Eph.4:29,31,30).
      3. Live the truth (Eph.4:25).

Conclusion:
Ephesians 4:25-32 is simply the NT amplification of the ninth commandment (Prov.23:23).

“Church To Go”

by Phil T. Arnold

“Busy summer schedules may keep New Covenant Christian Church members away from worship some Sundays, but they no longer have to miss out on communion or a message from their minister….the northwest Oklahoma City congregation is offering ‘Church to Go’.”  Just when you think you’ve heard it all, there is was on the front page of the Daily Oklahoman – “Church to Go.”  What is “Church to Go”?  It is a white foam carryout box containing a pre-packaged substitute for worshipping with a church on the Lord’s Day.  The box contains a cassette tape of their minister speaking and a member singing, a 4.23-ounce carton of grape juice, six plastic communion cups and an equal number of tiny white pellets representing(?) bread.  Of course, there is also included a self-addressed envelope ready for the members to mail in an offering.

The “Church to Go” was designed by the Reverend(?) Tim Pool to accommodate their absentee members during their “busy summer schedules.”  Their concern is to help “people to stay connected to the church and to God” during the summer and thus be more likely to return to services in the Fall when their schedules are less hectic.  It was explained that the “Church to Go” was to be used as a family was driving to a ball game or some other outing.  They could listen to the tape and then stop their car on the side of the road and take communion.  Just a couple of minutes and they could be back on the road headed for the diamond and the really important business of the day.

Does anybody see anything wrong with this?  I would hope so!  This is suppose to keep people’s commitment(?) fresh on their minds while they put everything but worshipping God first in their lives during the summer.

Hopefully each of us can take warning concerning such attitudes as we choose our priorities and make plans for our busy summer schedules.  Will we plan our vacations and travels so that we will be able to worship in an assembly of the Lord’s church on the Lord’s Day?  Will we decide that anywhere the name “church of Christ” appears on the building will be sufficient or will we seek to find a church of faithful brethren with which to worship?  How different is this practice that we would find so objectionable to brethren who have planned to turn the Lord’s Day service into a matter of convenience to fit in with their travels?  Some would simply worship together as a family or with other Christians they are traveling with and make no effort to worship with the Lord’s people where they are traveling.

I must agree with one point the article made.  More churches will probably want to follow this example and produce their own “Church to Go” for their own members.  They may have to change a few things to meet their particular denominational cus-toms, but I am sure that none will forget to include a self-addressed contribution envelope.  Unfortunately, some of our brethren may not be far behind in seeing the “benefit” of such a practice.

“Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful.  And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.”
- Hebrews 10:25