Is the Bible relevant? Does this ancient book have any practical application to our lives today? Does it satisfy our needs as individuals and as a society? Or do we need something else? I believe a consideration of the following points will help to answer these questions and prove that the Bible is relevant today.

1. God Has Not Changed. “For I am the Lord, I do not change” (Malachi 3:6; see also Hebrews 13:8). A lot of time has passed since the Bible was written, but that does not mean God has changed. How do we know this? A lot of time passed while the Bible was being written (about 1,600 years), yet God is the same Person at the end of the Bible that He is at the beginning. Time has a way of changing man, but God exists outside of time, it does not have any affect upon Him. God has not grown any wiser through the centuries. He has not become tolerant of things that used to anger Him. God is the same Person for us today that He is in the Bible.

2. God’s Word Has Not Changed. “Forever, O Lord, your word is settled in heaven” (Psalm 119:89). God’s standards of right and wrong have always existed, and will always exist, the way that they are found in the Bible. There is no need to update, change or revise these revealed standards. Some have the idea that because society now accepts things like living together, adultery, no-fault divorce, homosexuality, etc., that God now accepts them. This simply is not true. God’s thoughts and ways are not subject to our approval (Isaiah 55:8-9). It is a dangerous thing to be presumptuous about God.

3. The Needs of Society Have Not Changed. Society changes all the time, but the needs of society are still the same. People are still people, and have the same basic needs. Some may be surprised to find that the Bible both addresses and offers solutions to problems that we are dealing with today. Crime and punishment (Ecclesiastes 8:14), the role of civil government (Romans 13:1-6), welfare abuse (2 Thessalonians 3:10), prejudice (Acts 10:34; Matthew 22:35-40), teen pregnancy (1 Corinthians 6:18; Hebrews 13:4), drug and alcohol abuse (Galatians 5:19-21), family problems (Colossians 3:18-21), divorce (Malachi 2:16; Matthew 5:32), homosexuality and same-sex marriages (Romans 1:26-27; Matthew 19:4-5) and terrorism (Matthew 7:12) are all addressed in the Bible.

4. The Needs of Mankind Have Not Changed. The Bible offers answers to the most basic and fundamental questions that mankind has struggled with – Where did I come from? Why am I here? Where am I going? The apostle Paul answered all three of these questions in a sermon recorded in Acts 17. Where did I come from? “God, who made the world and everything in it, since He is Lord of heaven and earth, does not dwell in temples made with hands” (v. 24). Why am I here? “So that they should seek the Lord, in the hope that they might grope for Him and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us” (v. 27). Where am I going? “Because He has appointed a day on which He will judge the world in righteousness by the Man whom He has ordained. He has given assurance of this to all by raising Him from the dead” (v. 31).

In addition to philosophical needs, man also has spiritual needs. Many people have serious problems dealing with guilt, depression, doubt, despair, hopelessness, and fear. Bookshelves and magazine racks are filled with material written in hopes of identifying and solving these problems. TV and radio programs offer pop-psychology and the latest self-help fads. However, the Bible is the one book which positively identifies the real problem with which man struggles: “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). It is also the only book that offers the real solution to this problem: “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 6:23). It answers the most important question of all – “What must I do to be saved?”

The Bible is not an out-dated relic of centuries past. It is not a book of ancient history or myths. It is not a charm to ward off evil. Neither is it a file cabinet for newspaper clippings, announcements, pictures, flowers, or other mementos from the past. It is the living Word of God. It offers the answers to our most important questions while providing the standards and guidance we need as individuals and as a society. The Bible not only shows us how to have the best life here on earth, it is the only book which can prepare us for eternal life.

Let us go to Proverbs and read 6:6-11, “Go to the ant, you sluggard! Consider her ways and be wise, 7 Which, having no captain, Overseer or ruler, 8 Provides her supplies in the summer, And gathers her food in the harvest. 9 How long will you slumber, O sluggard? When will you rise from your sleep? 10 A little sleep, a little slumber, A little folding of the hands to sleep- 11 So shall your poverty come on you like a prowler, And your need like an armed man.” This is an excellent passage for our application to be good workers in life to provide for earthly needs but we can also gain the application for spiritual activity in so-called “church work,” with perhaps a special view to the work of converting the lost of this world or simply standing for the truth.

Let us go back to ants for a moment. How many of us as children spent hours lying in the grass watching and completely fascinated by the activity of ants. There is always a lot going on close to an anthill. Ants are very tiny and their works seem inconsequential, especially to young children. However, as small as ants are they accomplish a tremendous amount.

According to NOVA’s (PBS-TV), Edward O. Wilson, PhD. in Entomology, the combined weight of all ants in the world is about equal to that of all the humans on the earth! That means that for every one of us, there are millions of them. Mostly unappreciated by us until maybe we are stung or bitten by them, their constant hustle and bustle actually alters the environment everywhere these creature thrive. Think about this: entire ecologies are shaped by the untiring work of countless worker ants that as individuals are never named or remembered as individuals. Thanklessly, without any notice they spend their entire lives working for the hive. The result of this remarkable industry is that ants are as numerous as they are. There is no worry at all that ants will at some point go on the endangered species list. Sometimes we actually worry that Christians may be on the endangered list!

One of my favorite observances concerning ants is a time I watched a single ant carrying a bit of straw that was several times its body length and weighed perhaps twice or more than the ant itself. It struggled under this awkward and mighty load but nevertheless the little ant diligently carried on. The amazing thing was that the ant came to an insurmountable fissure in its path and so it put down the load. The ant then walked up and down the length of the impassible chasm for a second or two as if trying to reason out what it was going to do. Then seeming to figure out this daunting conundrum, the ant once again grabbed up the straw and laid it across the deep crack in the earth. Then it simply and matter-of-factly walked across this self made bridge and once across, picked up its temporary bridge and continued its journey once again bearing the mighty load!

In our passage from Proverbs, which causes us to consider the nature of ants for a moment, the Lord wants us to make some applications that really can be wide ranging for us and can also help to correct some attitudes toward others.

1. Put a smile on your face! The prime thing is “to be of good cheer” (Matthew 14:27). Have confidence that in serving the Lord Jesus we have made the right commitment of our life and efforts, Romans 8:37, “Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.” Generally the child of God should always have at our very core the knowledge that our choice to serve the Lord was the best decision any person could ever make of all the choices in life. Therefore, be confident!
2. You can overcome whatever has hurt you! Now when we have done much in the Lord’s service it is possible from time to time to become even physically tired, spiritually discouraged and emotionally exhausted. We are only human. All the mature among us in the service of the Lord will eventually have friends in Christ who disappoint and hurt us (but remember to count the friends who have not forsaken you, Proverbs 18:24; Paul relied upon Luke and Timothy after Demas and others had forsaken him). We can have physical concerns and just simply our getting older that will begin to limit us and these can take time and patience to learn to deal with. We may lose loved ones and experience the awful longing of grief. These kinds of real experiences in life can deal us blow after blow that we actually feel doing us harm. After the beheading of John, Jesus exhorted those so obviously discouraged by saying, “Come aside by yourselves to a deserted place and rest a while” (Mark 6:31). Sometimes we need a little time to “recharge our batteries” but we must not use what should be a very temporary condition to become a permanent and abiding attitude. Remember: We are more than conquerors through Him who loved us! There is a reasonable amount of time for every cause of discouragement to eventually be shaken off so we can continue faithfully our part in the cause of Christ. I think of the element of real hope in the woman with the issue of blood who thought within herself, “If I may but touch the hem of His garment I can be made whole” (Matthew 9:20-22). Faith! Remember Paul’s statement about his own goals, “I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 3:14). Peter’s exhortation is priceless: 1Peter 1:13, “Therefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and rest your hope fully upon the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.”
3. Get to work for the Lord! Someone has said, “Dig someone else out of his troubles and you dig a hole in which to bury your own.” Simply taking up the cross once again, we can actually make a new start. We want to join with Paul with no small amount of irony, “But I want you to know, brethren, that the things which happened to me have actually turned out for the furtherance of the gospel” (Philippians 1:12). With the knowledge you have gained from your experience remember what James said in his epistle, 4:7, “Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.” No matter what your hurt may have been, just know that the devil cannot lay a glove on you!

Both the wise and foolish have a choice in the direction of life they choose.  When we read a proverb we understand that each man will read that piece of information and do with it what his heart desires.  Family and friends have a great deal of influence upon the decisions one makes in life.  The final decisions and direction one chooses; however, belongs to the individual.  The proverbs are often termed “general truths” for this very reason.  God delivers his divine expectation for man yet he leaves man with the choice as to whether or not he will follow the instructions and receive the eternal benefits. 

One may describe a general truth as the “natural order of things.”  Solomon writes much about what God’s expectations are for man in the form of natural order.  Consider these examples.  It is the natural order of things that man gain understanding and knowledge yet not all men do (Proverbs 8:9).  It is the natural order of things that a beautiful woman have discretion yet not all do (Proverbs 11:22).  It is natural for kings to rule with justice and equity yet not all do (Proverbs 8:15; 16:10).  It is the natural course of life that a gray headed man be righteous yet how many times have you personally witnessed a perverted gray haired man (Proverbs 16:31)?  It is the natural course of life for a man to have children and those children have their own children (Proverbs 17:6).  Sometimes; however, a man’s children have no children.  It goes against nature for the wicked to be justified and the righteous condemned (Proverbs 17:15) and punished for their good deeds (Proverbs 17:26) yet how many times has the opposite occurred?  It goes against the natural order of things for those who are due punishment to be spared the chastening rod yet this happens quite often (see Proverbs 19:5).  Again, it goes against nature for the fool to have luxury and the servant to rule princes yet it happens (Proverbs 19:10).  Are we beginning to see the point?

A beautiful proverb depicting the natural order of God’s divine expectation is found at chapter 22:6.  Solomon writes, “Train up a child in the way he should go, and even when he is old he will not depart from it.”  Some; however, have erroneously concluded from this passage that if a child grows up to be a wicked and foolish man the parents failed to properly “train him up.”  While this may be the truth in many cases it cannot be the truth in all cases.  Like the general truths above we see that it is God’s expectation that such a child remain faithful but that is not always the case?

It is Jehovah’s divine intention and consequentially the natural course of events for the young man or woman that was raised in a Godly home with Godly expectations to hold on to those divine principles all their lives.  Unfortunately some choose not to follow divine council even though they were raised properly.  Such a one goes against Jehovah’s standard and the natural course of this life.  They choose to sin.

Consider the fact that if a parent is reproving a child they are inferentially trying to bring them up in the way they should go (see Proverbs 15:5, 31-33).  Consider also the fact that if a son is bringing “shame” (Proverbs 17:2; 19:26-27), “sorrow” (Proverbs 17:21), “grief” and “bitterness” to his or her parents that this inferentially states that the parents are obviously concerned with spiritual matters and are trying to raise the child in the way they should go.  Such parents understand their God ordained roles in the home (see Proverbs 4:7; 7:1-4; 19:18; 23:23).  The parent’s hope is that by taking the rod to the child he or she will be changed for the better (Proverbs 19:18).  Unfortunately, many are not men or women of Biblical integrity even though they were taught to be so.

The book of Proverbs illustrates that there are few who follow through with their spiritual integrity.  Jehovah’s divine expectation for all man is to be saved from their sins yet many will reject Him (2 Peter 3:9).  Just because it is Jehovah’s expectation of man to do right does not mean that all men will do right.  Let us not be simple users of God’s word but rather spiritual engineers and mathematicians who know the proof of our faith (see Acts 9:22). 

Are the parents unquestionably the fault of any and all children who reject truth and wisdom in this life?  Solomon answers the question and Ezekiel confirms the truth.  Solomon writes, “Even a child makes himself known by his doings, whether his work be pure, and whether it be right” (Proverbs 20:11).  Will the son be wise or foolish?  Solomon writes, “A wise son hears his father’s instruction; but a scoffer hears not rebuke” (Proverbs 13:1).  The wise hear and give heed yet the foolish do not.  Each individual has his own choice to make.  A parent can do all that is possible to make their child godly yet in the end it is up to that child.  Ezekiel writes, “Behold, all souls are mine; as the soul of the father, so also the soul of the son is mine: the soul that sins it shall die… the son shall not bear the iniquity of the father, neither shall the father bear the iniquity of the son; the righteousness of the righteous shall be upon him, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon him” (Ezekiel 18:4, 20).

Those who would charge ALL parents who have a wicked son or daughter with erroneously bringing up their children based on Proverbs 22:6 have made a grave error.  Such a person convicts Adam of sin for producing a wicked son in Cain (see Genesis 4:1-8).  Cain chose to be wicked.  Adam did not make Cain wicked (1 John 3:11-12).  Those who charge all parents with error for having a wicked son or daughter convict Noah (Genesis 9:20-27), Isaac (Genesis 25:27-34), Aaron (Leviticus 10:1-6), Eli (1 Samuel 2:12), Samuel (1 Samuel 2:12), and the loving father of the prodigal son (Luke 15:11-32) with sin.  Furthermore, to draw such a conclusion is to point a condemning finger at Jehovah our Almighty God.  The scriptures often depict Jehovah as a father to his people.  He trained them in the way they should go (Jeremiah 10:23).  The Lord’s children; however, chose the sinful directions they took (see Jeremiah 6:16-19; Malachi 1:6).  The Father’s words often hardened their hearts rather than bringing about their obedience.

Dear brethren, some will give heed to God’s laws and some will not (Romans 9; John 12:37-43; Matthew 13:10-16; Acts 18:5-6).  As a parent, we do all within our power and responsibility to see to it that our children love the Lord God with all their heart, mind, and soul.  Their lives; however, are just that, it belongs to them to do what they will.  Though a parent’s heart may be broken, due to their child’s wickedness, it is not always the parent’s fault.  General truths reveal God’s divine expectation and the natural order of things.  Unfortunately, many take the road of fleshly desires (see Romans 8:5-8).

With such phones, we occasionally have to ask, “Can you hear me now?” because we’re not certain our message is getting through. Then, sometimes, we have no clue that we’ve been disconnected altogether.

Prayer can feel about like that at times in our lives, especially if we occasionally doubt our message is getting through or discover that we have been unknowingly disconnected for quite a while because of some sin or rebellious attitude.

Prayer is Communication

When Adam and Eve walked in the Garden of Eden with God, there was not any apparent need for prayer, but following their expulsion, his relationship with mankind became more reserved and it was in the last verse of Genesis 4 that, “men began to call on the name of the Lord,” presumably in prayer (verse 26).

The patriarch Jacob sets the tone for prayer throughout the Old Testament era in Genesis 28 as he associates prayer with an animal sacrifice and a conditional vow of loyalty (Genesis 28:18-22). Once the Law of Moses was put into effect, little is said about prayer as the people approach God through their priests and mainly to acknowledge guilt and beg for mercy.

It is during the Exile that prayer takes on a more personal, earnest nature. Ezra prays in extreme sorrow over the guilt of his countrymen (9:5-7); Nehemiah did likewise (1:5-11). Daniel’s habit in this era was to pray three times daily and his recorded prayer is of the same kind as Ezra’s and Nehemiah’s (see 9:4-19).

It is the prayers of Christ, living yet under the Old Testament, but pointing toward the New, that set the stage for prayer in our time, for his prayers are the words of a child petitioning his father. He prayed in times of sorrow and joy, spoke always with genuine emotion and the expectation that he would be heard, subject to his father’s will. For Jesus, prayer was not simply a religious exercise or public ceremony, but was real communication with the God of heaven, and that is what we are striving to enjoy as well. His prayers move away from that sense of separation in the Old Testament petitions, because his sonship and perfection make it possible for him to approach God in a more intimate way. His obedience on the cross makes it possible for all his redeemed to enjoy that kind of intimacy and access as well (Hebrews 4:14-16).

The church he established follows this pattern of trusting intimacy in prayer, approaching God with renewed boldness. The Jerusalem church immersed itself in prayer, especially when threatened (see Acts 1:14; Acts 2:1, Acts 2:42; 3:1; 6:4,6). Paul frequently discussed his own prayers, using them as evidence of his care for the churches he addressed (see Romans 1:9; Ephesians 1:16; Philippians 1:9; 1 Thessalonians 1:2, etc.). The Holy Spirit describes prayer for us as a steadfast habit (see Romans 12:12), vigilantly pertinent (see Ephesians 6:18), and emotionally relieving (see Philippians 4:6).

Our prayers should contain petitions for our blessing as well as intercessions on behalf of others who are in need, even if they are unaware of their need, for “God is a rewarder of those that diligently seek him” (Hebrews 11:6). Prayer, however, is incomplete and less effective unless it also contains a strong measure of adoration, confession, and thanksgiving, which help to polish the heart and attitudes of the one praying (Ephesians 3:14-21).

Because prayer is so vitally important to the spiritual and even physical health of the believer, nothing is more troubling than when there seems to be static on the line because our prayers are being hindered.

What Causes The Static?

Marital Stress

Sometimes stress in the marriage hinders our ability to pray sincerely; Paul recognized the connection between prayer and the duties of marriage  in responding to the concerns of some at Corinth: “Do not deprive one another, except perhaps by agreement for a limited time, that you may devote yourselves to prayer; but then come together again, so that Satan may not tempt you because of your lack of self-control” (1 Corinthians 7:5).

This is where the couple must cooperate so that their physical needs are satisfactorily met, without ever compromising their spiritual requirements or abandoning the other to the perils of unfulfillable desire. Christians who are married should be helping one another along the path to heaven and balancing spiritual needs and wholesome physical intimacy is part of that.

Still, misbehavior in the marital relationship is also identified as a prime way to hinder those prayers: “Likewise, husbands, live with your wives in an understanding way, showing honor to the woman as the weaker vessel, since they are heirs with you of the grace of life, so that your prayers may not be hindered” (1 Peter 3:1-7).

It is simply impossible to be right with God when you are wronging someone so close to you by treating her with contempt or disrespect. Proverbs 18:22 declares that, “He who finds a wife finds a good thing, And obtains favor from the LORD” but if you are abusing that favor, what is the Lord to do in response? Treating her without understanding, without honor or as something less than a fellow heir of grace is what puts static on the line. Denigrating her to your friends or before your children, or making her life difficult, unenjoyable and unrewarding is going to put static on your line.

Wrongs Left Uncorrected

Jesus warns that you might as well postpone your worship altogether if you remember that you have given someone cause to be angry with you and you have neglected to set it right. “So if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar and go. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift” (Matthew 5:23-24).

Maybe it is something I did, or said, or didn’t do, but should have–if I know that I am guilty of offending another, it is my responsibility to clear myself of guilt before I try to approach God to make petitions for my own good or to intercede for someone else. My lingering sin and my apathy about it are responsible for the static on the line.

Apathy About Listening to God

Our communication with God is not to be as one-sided as some of the phone conversations that we have; we are to speak to God in prayer and to listen to him as he speaks through the Bible, often answering there the very questions and needs we have raised. “One who turns away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer is an abomination” (Proverbs 28:9). We should not wonder why there is so much static on the line if we are content to speak to God in needful prayer, but apathetic about listening for answers by reading his word (see Psalm 1:1-6).

Unmercifulness

Hypocrisy is often exposed in self-serving prayer that petitions God for mercy and blessing, but through a life that bears grudges and resentments and affords no mercy to anyone else. The man who withholds compassion toward others should expect only static when he pleads for mercy for himself alone (see Matthew 6:14-15).

We are taught to pray that God would forgive our debts to him just as we forgive the ones who have wronged us and ask for mercy, but judgment is without mercy to the one who has shown no mercy (see James 2:13).

Jesus taught, “And whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him, that your father in heaven may also forgive your trespasses. But if you do not forgive, neither will your father in heaven forgive your trespasses” (Mark 11:25-26).

The static on the mercy line is because of selfishness and bitterness; “So also my heavenly Father will do to every one of you, if you do not forgive your brother from your heart” (Matthew 18:35).

Covetousness

We often do not notice the static at all until we recognize that our prayers are not being granted, and at times, this is because we are praying our covetousness for things (James 4:1-5):

What causes quarrels and what causes fights among you? Is it not this, that your passions are at war within you? You desire and do not have, so you murder. You covet and cannot obtain, so you fight and quarrel. You do not have, because you do not ask. You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions. You adulterous people! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God. Or do you suppose it is to no purpose that the Scripture says, “He yearns jealously over the spirit that he has made to dwell in us”? But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, “God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” (James 4:1-6 ESV)

Prayer is not a Christmas wish list turned heavenward in which we treat God like Santa and plead with him to grant us wealth and luxury. We begin to sound like a spoiled child who rarely has time to say thanks because he is so busy asking for more; the kindest thing God can do is to deny such greed and interrupt the asking with static

Rebellious Attitude

All this can be summed up and expanded when we consider that the static on the line is just evidence of lingering sin about which we are either ignorant or apathetic. “If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear” (Psalm 66:18; see Isaiah 59:1-2).

If I adopt a rebellious attitude toward God or a contemptuous attitude in dealing with others, I can expect that my conversation with him will be interrupted by static of my own making:

Whoever desires to love life and see good days, let him keep his tongue from evil and his lips from speaking deceit; let him turn away from evil and do good; let him seek peace and pursue it. For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and his ears are open to their prayer. But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil. (1 Peter 3:10-12)

Clearing Up The Static

I won’t clear up the white noise by changing carriers or shaking the handset, but by changing my own position. Sin is an obstacle like a tunnel, thick walls or a high hill between God and me, and the only way to eliminate that obstacle is by removing it with contrition (1 John 1:6-10).

Just because a prayer is not answered in the way you anticipated, it does not necessarily follow that your sin is to blame, but when there is real static on the line, it is evidence that we have estranged ourselves from God. The gospel is a ministry of reconciliation, greater than the reunion of child and earthly parent. James admonishes you to draw near to God and he will draw near to you (see 4:8).

It becomes a matter of returning to your first love and purifying your prayers by giving up dalliances with the rivals for your heart. Your first love should not be yourself, but if it is, it will become apparent and even if you don’t literally hear static on the line when you pray, understand that your petitions are indeed hindered

It is vital that we learn to think about what might hinder our prayers and put static on the all-important line that connects us with the throne of God in heaven.

In reading Deuteronomy 8:11-18, there is a great lesson for us about ingratitude toward God.

“Beware that you do not forget the LORD your God by not keeping His commandments, His judgments, and His statutes which I command you today, 12 “lest-when you have eaten and are full, and have built beautiful houses and dwell in them; 13 “and when your herds and your flocks multiply, and your silver and your gold are multiplied, and all that you have is multiplied; 14 “when your heart is lifted up, and you forget the LORD your God who brought you out of the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage; 15 “who led you through that great and terrible wilderness, in which were fiery serpents and scorpions and thirsty land where there was no water; who brought water for you out of the flinty rock; 16 “who fed you in the wilderness with manna, which your fathers did not know, that He might humble you and that He might test you, to do you good in the end- 17 “then you say in your heart, ‘My power and the might of my hand have gained me this wealth.’ 18 “And you shall remember the LORD your God, for it is He who gives you power to get wealth, that He may establish His covenant which He swore to your fathers, as it is this day.”

Probably the main reason the children of Israel were ultimately rejected as God’s people was that they forgot to be thankful and appreciative of God. A clear case in point is found in Judges 7:2, “And the LORD said to Gideon, ‘The people who are with you are too many for Me to give the Midianites into their hands, lest Israel claim glory for itself against Me, saying, ‘My own hand has saved me.’” The apostle Paul says about his own physical infirmity in 2 Corinthians 12:7-10, “And lest I should be exalted above measure by the abundance of the revelations, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I be exalted above measure. 8 Concerning this thing I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me. 9 And He said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.”

Depend Upon God in Today’s World?

Dependence upon God’s beneficent love is something we must recognize and appreciate daily. Remember what Christ said, “Give us this day our daily bread” (Luke 11:3). When reasoning with the great rationally trained minds of the Greeks on Mars Hill, Paul said, Acts 17:24-28 “God, who made the world and everything in it, since He is Lord of heaven and earth, does not dwell in temples made with hands. 25 “Nor is He worshiped with men’s hands, as though He needed anything, since He gives to all life, breath, and all things. 26 “And He has made from one blood every nation of men to dwell on all the face of the earth, and has determined their preappointed times and the boundaries of their dwellings, 27 “so that they should seek the Lord, in the hope that they might grope for Him and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us; 28 “for in Him we live and move and have our being, as also some of your own poets have said, ‘For we are also His offspring.’”

You only have to read the beautiful thoughts expressed by the psalmist in Psalm 104:10-35, and I hope that you will, to get the full measure of why we should be so aware that our very existence is totally reliant upon Him. Just think with me about all the things that God does for us beyond what has already been mentioned:

1. God opens my heart with his word, Acts 16:14.
2. I am His workmanship and He saves me, Ephesians 2:8-10.
3. The Lord makes me stand as a Christian, Romans 14:4.
4. He delivers me from evil, 2 Timothy 4:18.
5. He has given me the words to speak about Him, 1 Peter 4:11.
6. And He gives me the ability to serve, also found in 1 Peter 4:11.
7. He gives me the increase from my labors for Him, 1 Corinthians 3:5-9.
8. He comforts me, 2 Corinthians 1:3-4.
9. He gives me strength to do all He has asked me to do, Philippians 4:13.
10. He gives me His wisdom, James 1:3-5.
11. He has given us all things, Ephesians 4:6, “One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.” Also: Psalms 37:3-6, 18-19, 23-26, 39-40.

What we need is more trust in God and more meditation on His word. We need more humility and more dependence on God for salvation in every way. What we could really use is more awareness of God’s hand in everyday life. Always trust and depend on God because you are his child and He is your Father.

Watchman Magazine began in January of 1998, and continued a regular publication schedule, for the most part, through 2004.  Toward the end of this initial iteration of the magazine, publication became more sporadic, as I personally dealt with a bad case of editor/publisher burnout.  After a hiatus of several years, publication resumed in January of 2010, with several changes.  Primarily, the magazine took on a blog format, rather than maintaining a monthly schedule.  With the advent of social networking, and powerful blogging software platforms, I believe this change to be a positive one.  It has made it possible for the Watchman writers to post articles on their schedule, and my editorial responsibilities have lightened.  It is nice to no longer be responsible for coding HTML, and fighting the compatibility problems of earlier years.

This new format has allowed the magazine to continue, despite the fact that my personal circumstances in the past two years have been rather challenging.  In addition to my local responsibilities as an evangelist for the West Side church in Fort Worth, TX, I spent much time helping my mother care for my ailing father.  Dad fought a long and hard battle with chronic leukemia, which evolved into a more aggressive cancer in the middle of 2011, taking his life in October.  Throughout his illness, trips were made to Dallas so that specialists could treat him.  Most often these were weekly trips, sometimes bi-weekly. On occasion a complication or infection would necessitate daily trips for a week or more.  My dad was a special man, and I greatly appreciated the opportunity to serve him by driving him to these appointments.  I will always treasure the time, conversations and companionship those trips afforded us.  Even in the midst of trial, God’s blessings flow.  If you haven’t read my tribute to my father (A Quiet Man of God), I would consider it a special favor if you would take the time.  He was a quiet man, but his goodness and kindness as a child of God is worthy of praise, and the grace he exhibited throughout his illness is worthy of emulation.

Though the magazine continued through this period, I was certainly not satisfied with it.  Watchman is not everything I want it to be, and it is my desire for it to improve in the future.  Articles have been relatively scarce for two main reasons:  1) I have not written as much as I have intended to write; and, 2) I have not done enough to solicit articles from other writers.  It is my intent to improve on both fronts in the coming year.

My thanks to the men who have written in the past couple of years.  There are some “self-starters” among them who have been diligent in making contributions to the magazine.  Men such as Jeff Smith, Heath Rogers, Marc Smith and John Robertson have written even when I was unable to do so.  Others have contributed as well.  For these efforts I am thankful, and I intend to search out others who are willing to contribute their pen to this worthy cause.  We have several young men who have expressed a desire to write.  Though their efforts may not be as polished as their more experienced brethren, I am anxious to give them a voice.  Writing is a wonderful discipline for the preacher, and the written word serves as a permanent and enduring witness for Christ.  Few works are more rewarding.  They will surely grow in scholarship and ability, and their efforts will greatly benefit you, the reader.

I recently read an article poking fun at the call for distinctive preaching.  Though the criticism raised in the piece was subtle, and though there were some valid points made, the general attitude expressed was disturbing to me.  I find that it is mirrored by many of my brethren today.  I have been preaching the gospel now for 34 years.  I have been in full-time local work for the past 27 years.  I have worked with the West Side congregation here in Fort Worth for over 22 years, and have edited Watchman since 1998.  I am less than four months shy of my 50th birthday.  I may not be the most perceptive among us, but I can say that I have seen a change in attitude toward God and His word in the brotherhood in that time.  Especially in the last several decades.

I have personal knowledge of brethren who do not respect the parameters God has established regarding spiritual fellowship.  I know of gospel preachers who defend the concept of stellar evolution, in advocating the Big Bang Theory as reconcilable with the Biblical account of creation.  I have heard and read teaching on the subject of grace that exhibits very little difference from classic Calvinism.  There has been an obvious drift toward the social gospel among some.  I fear that too often young Christians are pandered to, rather than challenged in their faith.  Emotionalism is being confused with spirituality.  Some are equating reverence with raised hands and lowered lights, and decry the respectful worship practiced in many congregations as dry and boring.  The list could go on and on, but it is obvious to experienced observers that there is a deleterious trend that can be seen in this generation.  Yes, I went there… a trend.  The term is most appropriate.  It means, “the general course or prevailing tendency; drift” (dictionary.reference.com).  Other shades of meaning include:  “to emerge as a popular trend; be currently popular”, and “to veer or turn off in a specified direction.”

The very fact that I mentioned a trend makes me objectionable to some brethren.  The phrase, “trend toward apostasy” has become a joke among some, and a sure sign to others that you are paranoid, a “watchdog”, and one of those judgmental types who are always spoiling for a fight.  Does it not matter that the Hebrew writer exhorted, “give the more earnest heed to the things we have heard, lest we drift away” (2:1)?

The most destructive tactic used against those who are concerned about this present trend is rather passive in nature.  It is simply the view that these complainers are irrelevant.  The warnings are shrugged off, and the complainers are ignored.  If complaints are made about such treatment, it serves to establish that such are merely wanting attention, and are throwing a tantrum precisely because they are not relevant.  It is possible that this article and my voice will be considered a prime example of such petulance.  So be it.

I ask, however, that you consider Noah, whose preaching was ignored by all mankind.  Or perhaps Elijah, who in delivering the message of God to a largely uninterested nation, despaired to the point where he cried out to God, “I have been very zealous for the LORD God of hosts; because the children of Israel have forsaken Your covenant, torn down Your altars, and killed Your prophets with the sword. I alone am left; and they seek to take my life” (1 Kings 19:14).  In fact, all of the prophets of God, though their message was His, were rejected by rebellious Israel (cf. Acts 7:51-53).

Consider our own history in this nation.  The majority in the 19th century clamored for the instrument, and determined those who stood for truth to be irrelevant, and unworthy of serious consideration.  Those who opposed the innovation were marginalized.  The same thing happened in the 20th century.  In December of 1954, Gospel Advocate editor B.C. Goodpasture called for a “yellow tag of quarantine” to be placed upon all congregations and preachers who objected to the institutional practices that were gaining a foothold among brethren.  As time progressed, the calls for authority for such practices were ignored as irrelevant by the majority.

Was Noah irrelevant?  While he most certainly was ignored, his warnings were true.  What about Elijah?  The man who was charged by Ahab as being the “troubler of Israel” is acknowledged as one of the greatest of the prophets.  During the two great divisions in the restoration movement, were the faithful relevant or not?  It is a mistake to equate relevancy with popularity.  Relevancy has nothing to do with how many are listening.  It has to do with who is proclaiming the truth!

Consider the words of Paul, “As we have said before, so now I say again, if anyone preaches any other gospel to you than what you have received, let him be accursed.  For do I now persuade men, or God? Or do I seek to please men? For if I still pleased men, I would not be a bondservant of Christ” (Galatians 1:9-10).  Our purpose is to serve Christ.  Any who does so successfully is relevant, whether he is heeded or not.

Perhaps the problem among some is that they confuse relevance with acceptance.  The popular way is seldom the way of God.  “…wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it” (Matthew 7:13).  I fully understand that popular is a relative term.  Even the most ear tickling preacher among us does not approach the popularity of a Joel Osteen, for example.  Please remember, though, that the standard for relevance and true acceptance is God and His word; not men.

So, we will continue to write, and invite others to do so.  We will write on myriad topics, seeking to declare the whole counsel of God.  We will not be hobbyists, but we will address the issues that trouble brethren, and we will deal with the error that endangers the souls of men.  We will not concern ourselves with how many deem us relevant.  We will try to get as many people as possible to read and listen.  We will soldier on in the spirit of Noah and Elijah.

I have heard that some believe my magazine to be the center of an effort to control the brotherhood.  If so, it is a miserable failure!  But no, it is not, and never has been.  Watchman Magazine is one person’s effort to edify and teach.  I sit in my office, and write about things that I believe to be important.  I invite others to write as well.  That is all that it is – but that is enough for me, and I hope for the Lord.  I pledge to you that I will try to do it better in the months and years to come.

Motivation Matters

In making our arguments about authority and love, we do not want to risk going to an opposite, but equally sinful, extreme–that neither motivation nor love matter to God so long as one goes through the right pious motions.

In Malachi’s day, for instance, the prophet scolded the people who went through worship motions, but with an attitude of contempt toward them, and God was neither placated nor praised (see Malachi 1:1-14). In the New Testament, we find that motivation is precisely as important as method and means when it comes to serving the Lord (see 1 Corinthians 13:1-8).

Jesus predicted that some otherwise religious people would find themselves on the outside looking in at Judgment Day, arguing that their good works should suffice for their salvation, but he would deny them access to heaven because their other deeds were evil–their motivation was not sincere love of truth, but the hope of earning enough leeway to indulge a little on the side–and God was not mocked by that either (Matthew 7:21-27).

The word “love” is used all the time these days to refer to everything from one’s mate to his new golf club and thus it begins to have multiple meanings and degrees of intensity. For some, anything that can be described with love is justifiable, even if it contradicts the will of God; there is an unspoken assumption that God’s word has become flawed or did not anticipate the complexity of our circumstances and thus we are practically required to alter his ethics and adopt our own.

God is love and our duty to behave godly depends greatly upon our treatment of others (1 John 4:7-11, 16-21). The emotional and subjective argument is therefore constructed around an extreme misinterpretation of these words–anything that can be attached to love is justifiable, even without a positive command, approved example or divine implication. It is almost as if the one making this argument is saying that Scripture is not sufficient to anticipate and resolve the issues that arise among men–it is a liberal argument in its purest that when God’s word won’t sanction our intentions, it is because the word failed, not that our intentions are somehow misguided.

Love Is The Fulfillment of Law

It becomes clear that authority is communicated everywhere by means of commands, examples and implications (First John 2:3-6).

When, after years of taking her, a mother instructs her teenage daughter to go by herself to the store ten miles away to purchase bread and milk, she has expressed parental authority by the command to go, the cumulative approved example of years of doing the same thing, and the implication that she may drive the family car because the store is too far away to walk. If, while at the store, Daughter writes a check and buys not only the milk and bread, but also a $3,000 plasma television for Mother out of love, she has violated her authority in spite of her pleasant intentions, and she will learn a new lesson on how long the returns line at Wal-Mart is these days.

Bible authority is not some unique animal that uses different rules, no rules at all, or rules made up by “Campbellite preachers.” Noah learned to build his boat because he was commanded to build, had examples of how to do the work and inferred the necessary use of tools. The early church learned to observe the Lord’s Supper through Christ’s command, the apostle’s example, and the divine implication that every first day of the week was intended. Regarding the work of the church, the plan of salvation, and our own personal responsibilities, we discern authority the same way, and just because we may love an alternative, we are not justified in casting away God’s commands and approved examples or making unnecessary inferences where no divine implication is present.

There seems to be a growing belief that law and love are antithetical, that some are more disposed to one or the other, and that the two have little in common. The Bible, however, makes this point–that love is the fulfillment of the Law; it is the reason for the law and the result when the law of God is obeyed (Romans 13:8-10). All those commandments could be summarized simply by saying, “Love your neighbor as yourself.” When the will of God is assembled and active, it should become apparent that love is the reason behind it–love of God and love of neighbor will find expression when God’s will is heeded. If ever we find ourselves yearning to do something on which God’s will is either silent or prohibitive, you can be sure there is a flaw in our reasoning and what looks like love really is something less.

The Law of Moses was fulfilled at the cross and taken out of the way so that the covenant of Christ could reign supreme in believers’ lives, and that testament does even more to codify the expression of divine and human love in a constructive way (Galatians 6:1-2). The strong disciple’s interest in the restoration and preservation of his brother is an integral component of what the apostle calls “the law of Christ” (Galatians 5:13-15). Far from getting in the way, this law is the vehicle by which love travels!

It cannot be argued that having a carnal mind does only damage to one’s relationship with God, for it finds its way into drunkenness, lewdness, lust, malice, and violence that destroys families, neighborhoods, churches, and countries (Romans 8:1-7). Here is the law of the Holy Spirit that absolutely forbids such things and many others, not because the Holy Spirit opposes enjoyment, but because destruction should not be enjoyable. Moreover, the Holy Spirit defines the qualities elders and deacons must have, describes the work of the preacher and the local congregation, and exemplifies ways in which churches may cooperate and how widows, orphans and the needy should be cared for. Who are we to dismiss Scripture by claiming that we are more possessed with love than was the Holy Spirit who gave it? How dare any man endeavor to improve upon the communication of the Holy Spirit, even in the misnamed notion of love?!

The New Testament is a perfect law of liberty, even as it restricts our behavior and defines right and wrong for all time (James 1:22-27, 2:8-17). When you are overwhelmed with a sense of love for your fellow man and yearn to do good by him, the Scriptures will not get in your way, but will show you a still more excellent way. It is only when you lay them aside to follow your own wisdom that you will discover your love is not really having the effect you intended.

When Love Is Absent Authority

Still, we hear love as authority for things obviously evil all the time. How often is adultery justified on the basis of finding new love beyond a loveless marriage; doesn’t God want me to be happy and enjoy love?

The mission of the church in Scripture is spiritual, concerned with preaching the word to convert the lost and edify the saved, but a misguided sense of love causes some to want to make the church over into a relief organization, consumed with other, less eternal goals. Also, the church is targeted as a social and recreational organization to be sold with coffee, doughnuts, hot dogs, playgrounds and gymnasiums out of love for children and the weak who cannot be won with the mere word of God and promise of spiritual redemption. Fornicators are overcome with love; we fund the alcoholic’s habit because we love him and he begs for money; we refrain from rebuking the sinner because we don’t want him to think we don’t love him anymore–but that is not love!

Conclusion

What we find, then, is simmering discontentment with the word of God. It seems to be a 2,000-year-old document that is unsuited to modern times and thus we are fully justified in inserting our own authority whenever Scripture conflicts with our intentions. Love is wrapped around the situation to give it the scent of validity, but it is not love to cast aside God’s will in any pursuit (1 Peter 1:22-25). Be content to know that God’s law is the full expression of love; love is the objective of God’s law, so how could it ever get in the way of real love?

Love simply is not a fourth track of authority when commands and examples have failed to support our wishes and we are left to infer anything and everything we want on our own. Anything that is right will fit under a command or example or divine implication.

Most germane to our premise is the number three video on the list. It is a recent political ad by Republican presidential candidate, and Texas governor, Rick Perry. The title of the video is “Strong”, and in the video, Perry reveals the following :

• He is not ashamed to be a Christian.
• The values of the country are wrong when gays can serve openly in the military, while children cannot celebrate Christmas or pray in the schools.
• As president, he would “end Obama’s war on religion,” and he would fight against liberal attacks on the country’s religious heritage.
• His opinion, “Faith made America strong, and it can make her strong again.”

The language of the ad is plain, but not hateful. It reveals an opposition to granting homosexuals rights based upon their sexual choices, and expresses a strong disagreement with the secularization of America. However, as it is critical of homosexuality, and the agenda to gain civil rights based upon sexual choice, it is considered to be intolerant vitriol, and Perry is considered by many a hatemonger. Consider the following paragraph from the article’s author, who considered the dislike shown toward Perry to be justified:

Rick Perry’s desperate grasp for attention as he’s flushed down the GOP nomination hole is worth hating. It confusingly disparages gays in the military, and draws some bizarre opposition to our country’s poor children, who allegedly are not allowed to openly celebrate Christmas. That last part is news to me. The hateful, insipid rambling is a black hole of loathing, currently sitting pretty at 435,000 dislikes after just three days.

Notice the inflammatory words used to describe the post: desperate, confusingly disparages, bizarre, hateful, insipid rambling, black hole of loathing. That’s quite a bit of vitriol in one short paragraph, and notably more inflammatory and intolerant than the video itself.

It is also not surprising that a person who holds such a view would be attacked for it; (never mind the logical contradiction of being intolerant of the intolerant). Our Lord came into the world to convict the world of sin, and save the sinner. He told His disciples, “If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love its own. Yet because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you” (John 15:18-19).

We ask, “Is such vitriol toward Christ and His followers in any way legitimate?” The answer is no! In the same context, Jesus said, “He who hates Me hates my Father also” (vs. 23), and, “But this happened that the word might be fulfilled which is written in their law, ‘They hated Me without a cause’” (vs. 25).

So, why does said hatred exist? Jesus reveals this as well. “For everyone practicing evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed” (John 3:20).

A faithful Christian loves God, and keeps His commandments. He without reservation or apology defends the truth of God against any and all attacks. He recognizes the Devil to be man’s enemy, and remains vigilant in keeping himself pure, and exposing Satan’s evil tactics. He has a love for the souls of men that impels him to convict them of their sin, and share with them the means of escaping its consequences. Such “tough love” is not often appreciated or understood, but the true Christian remains courageous and steadfast in the face of opposition. When this brings the disdain and anger of the world, it is, as it was with the Lord, “without a cause.” This is the way it has always been, and will continue to be as long as the Lord tarries.

“Give diligence to present thyself approved unto God, a workman that needs not to be ashamed, handling aright the word of truth”

2 Timothy 2:15

Context and associated passages are a must to consider when defining a Bible term or topic.  To examine the statement, “For by grace have ye been saved through faith; and that no of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not of works, that no man should glory” (Ephesians 2:8-9) will certainly bring about the wrong conclusions without a basic understanding of context and associated passages.  The diligent student of God’s word will also consider “the law of equivalences” to determine the meaning of words and topics.  Remember, the Bible is its own best commentary!

Let me explain what I mean by the phrase, “law of equivalences.”  Divine revelation is often written by way of using synonymous terms that connect Bible principles together and thereby make the terms equivalent.  Consider these two examples.  The apostle Paul writes, “Wherefore I make known unto you that no man speaking in the Spirit of God saith Jesus is anathema; and no man can say, Jesus is Lord, but in the Holy Spirit” (1 Corinthians 12:3).  While this verse teaches that man would know nothing about the Lord Jesus Christ without divine revelation it also teaches through the law of equivalences.  Note the equivalent terms “Spirit of God” and “Holy Spirit.”  I know that when Paul speaks of the Spirit of God he is speaking of the Holy Spirit.  Another example is found at Isaiah 53:6.  Isaiah writes, “All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and Jehovah hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.”  Again, we learn what “iniquity” is by using the law of equivalence.  The two equivalences are “iniquity” and “turning to one’s own way.”  When we do things that we want to do rather than what God wants us to do it is termed “iniquity” and this is against God’s laws (see 1 John 3:4).

A modern day example may be used to further illustrate the point.  Follow this line of thought in relationship to the law of equivalence. 

I bought a new motorcycle last week.  I plan to take my new bike on a road trip next week.  All my friends have been impressed with my new hog.

 The three equivalent terms are motorcycle, bike, and hog.  They are three different words but all three mean the same thing. 

 The value of equivalences is that it helps us to rightly divide the word of God rather than drawing faulty conclusions. 

 I know that I cannot separate Christ from divine revelation because of their analogous connection to one another.  Paul refers to the “word of God” as the “mystery” which is “Christ in you, the hope of glory: … even Christ” (see Colossians 1:25 – 2:2).  The value to acknowledging the equivalent terms in this text is that no one can lawfully separate the “man from the plan.”

Another equivalent text is found at Ephesians 1:7.  The apostle Paul, speaking of Christ, writes, “in whom we have our redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace.”  Paul equates “redemption” with “forgiveness of trespasses” and God’s “rich grace.”  The three are inseparably connected by the Holy Spirit’s use of equivalent terms.  When I turn to Acts 2:38 and see that Peter inseparably connects baptism to the forgiveness of sins I draw the right and only conclusion.  God redeems the man who is baptized for the forgiveness of their sins.  The baptized man has tapped into the rich grace of God, through the blood of Jesus, when he complies with the Lord’s divine instructions (see Romans 5:1-4).  Now our example of misunderstanding Ephesians 2:8 is better understood.

There are many such equivalences in the Bible.  When you study God’s word be aware of these analogous terms and texts and rightly divide the word of truth.

The Holy Spirit takes an active role in our sanctification.

• He reveals the gospel to mankind (1 Corinthians 2:10-12).
• He causes us to be born again (John 3:5, Titus 3:5).
• He dwells within us (Romans 8:9).
• He bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God (Romans 8:16).
• He leads us (Romans 8:1, 14).
• He makes intercession for us (Romans 8:26-27).
• He seals us and serves as the guarantee of our salvation (Ephesians 1:13-14).

Seeing as how the Holy Spirit is an individual member of the Godhead, and that He has taken a personal involvement in our salvation, it should be no surprise to learn that we can sin against the Holy Spirit.

When members of the church in Jerusalem came to be in need, those who had houses and property sold them and, out of their generosity and zeal, gave the money to the apostles to be shared with those who were in need (Acts 4:34-35). Ananias and his wife Sapphira sold a possession, but secretly kept back a portion of the proceeds for themselves (Acts 5:1-2). They brought the remainder of the money to give to the apostles, but wanted credit in the eyes of the church for giving the entire amount. Peter exposed this plot by announcing, “Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and keep back part of the price of the land for yourself?” (Acts 5:3).

Ananias was guilty of lying to the Holy Spirit, and this sin cost him his life (v. 5). We need to take the matter of sinning against the Holy Spirit seriously. In this article, we will consider some ways in which we can be guilty of sinning against the Holy Spirit.  

The Sin of Resisting the Holy Spirit

51 You stiff-necked and uncircumcised in heart and ears! You always resist the Holy Spirit; as your fathers did, so do you.

52 Which of the prophets did your fathers not persecute? And they killed those who foretold the coming of the Just One, of whom you now have become the betrayers and murderers,

53 who have received the law by the direction of angels and have not kept it.

Acts 7:51-53

Stephen accused the Jews of always resisting the Holy Spirit. He said that their fathers had resisted the Holy Spirit by persecuting the prophets (who were speaking by inspiration of the Holy Spirit) and by not keeping the law. Like their fathers, the Jews of Stephen’s day were resisting the Holy Spirit by rejecting the preaching of the apostles and other inspired men.

The idea of resisting something means more than simply ignoring it. The word “resist” is translated from the Greek word antipipto which means “to fall against or upon.” It means to oppose or strive against something. These Jews were not indifferent about the gospel. They were opposing the gospel with all their might.

The same Holy Spirit who inspired the prophets of old also inspired the apostles who wrote the New Testament. Today, one resists the Holy Spirit when he rejects and opposes the message of the New Testament.

The Sin of Quenching the Holy Spirit

“Do not quench the Spirit. Do not despise prophecies” (1 Thessalonians 5:19-20).

The Greek word rendered “quench” in this verse (shennumi) means “to extinguish.” Every time this word is used in the New Testament it refers to the act of quenching a fire or things on fire (literally or metaphorically). As used in this verse, the word means to quench, suppress, or stifle a divine influence.

The Thessalonians were not to despise the prophecies made by those who had this gift of the Holy Spirit (v. 20). To ignore these prophecies would be to extinguish the work that the Holy Spirit was doing among them.

Timothy had a miraculous gift of the Holy Spirit. Likening this gift to a fire, Paul issued two warnings to Timothy concerning this gift. Instead of neglecting the gift (like letting a fire die out – 1 Timothy 4:14), he was to stir it up (like stoking a fire – 2 Timothy 1:6). Otherwise, Timothy would have been quenching the Spirit with regard to the gift that he had been given.

The Holy Spirit works through His word, pricking men’s hearts (Acts 2:37) and causing them to burn (Luke 24:32). Whenever the impact of the word of God is ignored, the Spirit has been quenched. When we stop reading the Bible and praying for God’s help, we have quenched the Spirit’s intended influence upon our lives.

The Sin of Grieving the Holy Spirit

“And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption” (Ephesians 4:30).

The Ephesians were told not to grieve the Holy Spirit. To “grieve” (lupeo) means “to make sorrowful, to affect with sadness, to cause grief, to throw into sorrow.” We know that God is capable of grieving (Genesis 6:6, Psalm 95:10), and that Jesus is capable of grieving (Mark 3:5). The Bible also says that the Holy Spirit is capable of grieving (Isaiah 63:10).

This warning in Ephesians 4:30 is given in the context of Christians being told to put off the corrupt conduct of their former lives and to put on the new man who has been created in righteousness and holiness (vv. 22-24). Paul goes on to specifically address their speech, anger, work habits, and generosity, as well as various attitudes (vv. 25-32).

When we fail to live the way God has told us to live (produce the fruit of the Spirit – Galatians 5:22-23), we have rejected God’s authority for our lives. Such rebellion causes the Holy Spirit to experience deep sorrow, much like the parents of a wayward and foolish child (Proverbs 10:1, 17:25). Any time we disobey God and violate the commands given by the Holy Spirit, we grieve the Holy Spirit who gave us those commands.

The Sin of Insulting the Holy Spirit

26 For if we sin willfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins,

27 but a certain fearful expectation of judgment, and fiery indignation which will devour the adversaries.

28 Anyone who has rejected Moses’ law dies without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses.

29 Of how much worse punishment, do you suppose, will he be thought worthy who has trampled the Son of God underfoot, counted the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified a common thing, and insulted the Spirit of grace?

30 For we know Him who said, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord. And again, “The LORD will judge His people.”  

31 It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.

Hebrews 10:26-31

 The writer of the book of Hebrews is speaking of those who sin willfully, understanding what they are doing, without showing any desire to repent. Such persons are said to have “insulted” the Spirit of grace, or to have “done despite unto the Spirit of grace” (KJV).

The word “insulted” is translated from the Greek word enubrizo. This word means to insult, but it carries with it the idea of acting with contempt. It describes one who is haughty and thus acts against the authority of another, the result of which is a scornful insult to the one in the position of authority. This is exactly what is described in this passage.

When a Christian sins willfully, He has taken the Son of God, whom God has highly exalted (Philippians 2:9), and has brought Him down to the level of dirt to be walked upon, and has regarded His blood to be a common thing. For a man, who is the object of God’s grace, who has been cleansed in the blood that made this grace possible, and has received this grace through the working of the Holy Spirit, to treat Christ in this way is the worst insult that can be given to the Holy Spirit.

We insult the Holy Spirit when we sin willfully, rejecting God’s efforts to save our soul, without showing any desire to repent. Such a person can expect a certain and fearful judgment.

The Sin of Blasphemy Against the Holy Spirit

“Therefore I say to you, every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven men, but the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven men. Anyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man, it will be forgiven him; but whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit, it will not be forgiven him, either in this age or in the age to come” (Matthew 12:31-32).

In this passage, Jesus warns the Jews of the consequences of blaspheming against the Holy Spirit. The word “blasphemy” (blasfemia) refers to a railing or a reviling; speech that injures another person’s good name.

“Blasphemy is from the Greek word blapto and means “to hurt” and phemi which means “to speak.” Therefore, to blaspheme means to speak to hurt, to speak against, to speak irreverently, impiously, to profane, or to speak evil of good. There is always the idea of hurt or injury in blasphemy; the speaker means to do harm or to speak evil of one” (Michael Hardin, “The Holy Spirit, His Personality and Work,” page 71).

To understand the meaning of what Jesus called “the blasphemy against the Holy Spirit” one must look at the context in which this warning was given.

In Matthew 12:22-24, Jesus had just healed a demon-possessed man. His enemies could not deny that a miracle had taken place, but sought to disregard the miracle as the working of Satan.

Jesus showed that the charge was absurd, stating that no man could work against himself and hope for his effort to stand. Also, their own people had cast out demons, and they could testify that demons are not cast out by the power of Satan (Matthew 12:25-27).

Jesus then indicated the spiritual truth that was confirmed by His miracle. His ability to cast out these demons was evidence that the kingdom of God had come upon them and that His kingdom was more powerful than the kingdom of Satan (Matthew 12:28-29).

In this setting, Jesus gave these Jews the warning against blaspheming the Holy Spirit (Matthew 12:31-32). These Jews were blaspheming “the Son of Man” in that they were dismissing His claims by crediting His works to the power of Satan. Jesus said that they could reject Him and still receive the forgiveness of their sins. This was because one more opportunity to hear and repent was coming through the work of the Holy Spirit (who was poured forth on Pentecost – Acts 2), but if they rejected the Holy Spirit, there would not be another opportunity for them to receive the forgiveness of their sins.

This is illustrated in Acts 2. Peter said that these Jews had rejected and killed the Son of God (vs. 23, 36), yet they received the gospel given through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit (v. 33) and were saved (vs. 38, 41). They did not blaspheme or speak against the Holy Spirit. Instead, they received His message, met the conditions set forth, and were forgiven of their sins.

The sin of blasphemy against the Holy Spirit is not confined to a single word or phrase that is spoken against the Holy Spirit. It is the action of rejecting God’s final means of offering salvation to the world – the Holy Spirit.

Those who have become so bold as to reject the evidence for God’s existence, the reality of their sin, the appeal made by God through the gospel, and any concern for their soul’s salvation, and thus persist in sin, are blaspheming the Holy Spirit. There is no forgiveness for such a person because they reject God’s offer of forgiveness.

Some people are concerned about having committed the “unforgivable sin.” There is no “unforgivable sin” in the sense that God refuses to forgive a particular sin. The Bible says that if we repent and confess our sin, God is faithful and just to forgive us of our sins and to cleanse us of all unrighteousness (1 John 1:9). Any sin that is unforgivable is not because of God’s refusal to forgive, but because of our refusal to accept the truth of the gospel and meet the conditions of the gospel.

Conclusion

Apostasy does not happen overnight. It is a process. It begins when one decides to resist the Holy Spirit (stops reading the Bible and praying). This leads to one quenching the Spirit. This neglect of God’s word will result in sins which grieve the Spirit. Soon we become hardened and sin willfully, which insults the Spirit. If repentance is not forthcoming, one’s heart will be completely hardened, and he will find himself blaspheming the Spirit and rejecting everything connected with God.

One way to prevent such apostasy is to make sure that we are not guilty of sinning against the Holy Spirit.

This belief in a literal indwelling of the Holy Spirit is not limited to individuals in various denominations. Some of our own brethren believe in a personal, literal indwelling of the Holy Spirit. This view is held by some who are sincere and very knowledgeable in the Scriptures, but it is a view with which I do not agree.

There are some things about the Holy Spirit that are very hard to understand. It is not easy to comprehend the workings of the spiritual world while being confined to a physical existence. We must base our understandings of spiritual things upon the teachings of the Word of God, not upon feelings, opinions, desires, or denominational doctrines.

The Holy Spirit Dwells in the Christian

We can not deny the fact that the Holy Spirit dwells in the Christian. The Bible plainly says that He does. Consider the following passages of Scripture.

“But you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. Now if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he is not His… But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you” (Romans 8:9, 11).

“Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own?” (1 Corinthians 6:19).

“That good thing which was committed to you, keep by the Holy Spirit who dwells in us” (2 Timothy 1:14).

“Or do you think that the Scripture says in vain, ‘The Spirit who dwells in us yearns jealously?’” (James 4:5).

There is no doubt that the Holy Spirit dwells in the Christian, but these verses are not proof texts for a personal, literal indwelling. Not one of these verses tells us how the Holy Spirit comes to dwell within us, other than the fact that God has given Him to us. These verses simply state the fact that the Spirit dwells in us.

While many take these verses literally and conclude that the Holy Spirit personally dwells within the Christian, I believe that these verses are best understood figuratively. As such, these verses emphasize the blessings that Christians receive from the Holy Spirit.

Fellowship

We know that one of the blessings of being a Christian is that we can have fellowship with God. “That which we have seen and heard we declare to you, that you also may have fellowship with us; and truly our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ” (1 John 1:3). To have fellowship with the Father and with His Son means to share in the life that Jesus Christ makes available through His death and resurrection. Fellowship with God emphasizes one’s contact and intimacy with God. One way that the Bible describes this contact is by saying that the believer is abiding in God and that God is abiding in the believer.

12 No one has seen God at any time. If we love one another, God abides in us, and His love has been perfected in us.

13 By this we know that we abide in Him, and He in us, because He has given us of His Spirit.

14 And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent the Son as Savior of the world.

15 Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God.

16 And we have known and believed the love that God has for us. God is love, and he who abides in love abides in God, and God in him.

1 John 4:12-16

The Bible teaches that the Holy Spirit dwells in the Christian. However, using the same exact language, the Bible also states that the Father and the Son dwell in the Christian. I find it interesting that while people get excited about the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, they do not mention anything about enjoying an indwelling of the Father and the Son. Why not?

Notice also that not only does the Bible say that all three members of the Godhead dwell in the Christian, it also states that the Christian dwells in all three members of the Godhead. John stated that we abide in God as He abides in us. “By this we know that we abide in Him, and He in us, because He has given us of His Spirit” (1 John 4:13). Jesus stated that some could abide in Him while He would abide in them. “He who eats My flesh and drinks My blood abides in Me, and I in him” (John 6:56). The apostle Paul said that believers live in the Holy Spirit. “If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit” (Galatians 5:25).

Taken literally, these passages are confusing. How can a person dwell in a person who is dwelling within him? This does not make sense literally, but it makes perfect sense if taken figuratively. This indwelling is talking about the closeness of the fellowship that we have with the Godhead. It is so close that each is described as dwelling in the other.

When the Bible talks about deity dwelling in us or us dwelling in deity, we must consider the possibility that it is not talking about a literal indwelling, but rather it is a figurative picture of our fellowship with deity.

Influence

One way that a person can be said to dwell in another is to the extent that he can exert an influence over that person. The Holy Spirit (and the Father and the Son) are dwelling in those who show the influence of the Holy Spirit in their lives; that is, they are living in the way that the Spirit tells them to live.

On the night that He was betrayed, Jesus told His apostles that He and His Father would abide with them if they would keep His word.

20 “At that day you will know that I am in My Father, and you in Me, and I in you. 

21 He who has My commandments and keeps them, it is he who loves Me. And he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and manifest Myself to him.”

22 Judas (not Iscariot) said to Him, “Lord, how is it that You will manifest Yourself to us, and not to the world?”

23 Jesus answered and said to him, “If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home with him.”

John 14:20-23

This figure of speech used by the Lord (that of He and the Father being in them and making their home with them) emphasized the closeness of their ongoing fellowship; a fellowship which was conditioned upon their continued obedience to His word.

After the Lord’s ascension into Heaven, the apostles proceeded to carry out the great commission. At one point, the apostles Peter and John were arrested. When they were brought before the Jewish leaders, they acknowledged the fact that Peter and John had been with Jesus (Acts 4:13). They made this statement because they could see the influence that Jesus had upon their lives. They were keeping His word, and thus He was with them.

Paul made a similar point to the Corinthians. Although Paul was no longer with them in Corinth, he told them that his spirit would be with them if they acted upon the influence of his letter.

3 For I indeed, as absent in body but present in spirit, have already judged (as though I were present) him who has so done this deed.

4 In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, when you are gathered together, along with my spirit, with the power of our Lord Jesus Christ,

5 deliver such a one to Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that his spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus.  

1 Corinthians 5:3-5

Therefore, when the Bible talks about the Spirit dwelling in the Christian, we must consider the possibility that it is speaking figuratively of the influence that the Holy Spirit has upon us as we follow His word. If we walk by the Spirit (Romans 8:1) and bear the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23), we can say that the Spirit is dwelling in us.

The Holy Spirit and the Word

There is a connection between the Holy Spirit and the word of God. As we read and study the word of God, the Spirit has an influence upon our lives because the Spirit revealed the word unto mankind (1 Corinthians 2:10-12, 2 Peter 1:21). As we abide in the word (the teachings of the Holy Spirit), we maintain our fellowship with God (John 14:21, 23).

None of the passages presented at the beginning of this article stated how the Holy Spirit comes to dwell in the Christian. A miraculous, literal, personal indwelling has to be assumed. There are, however, passages that do state how deity comes to dwell in the Christian.

Christ is said to dwell in our hearts through faith. “that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith…” (Ephesians 3:17).

Paul taught that Christians receive the Spirit by the hearing of faith. In Galatians 3:2-5, Paul twice asked a rhetorical question, “This only I want to learn from you: Did you receive the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith… Therefore He who supplies the Spirit to you and works miracles among you, does He do it by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?” (vs 2, 5). The obvious answer to this question is that they did not receive the Spirit by the works of the law but by the hearing of faith. In another epistle, Paul taught that faith came by hearing the word of God. “So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God” (Romans 10:17).

The Holy Spirit is not the word. He is a person, a part of the Godhead. However, we can not ignore the connection between the Spirit and the word of God. Compare the teaching found in Ephesians 5:18-19 and its sister passage Colossians 3:16.

“And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord” (Ephesians 5:18-19).

“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).

I have placed an emphasis upon the phrases that are comparable to one another. Notice that they occupy the same place in the passage. How is it that we are to be filled with the Spirit? The Colossian letter answers the question: by letting the word of Christ dwell in us richly. Thus, we see that the Holy Spirit dwells in the Christian through the Word of God.

The connection between the Holy Spirit and the word of God can also be seen by considering what the Holy Spirit and what the word of God do for the Christian. Consider the comparisons that are made below.

1. The Holy Spirit teaches: “But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you” (John 14:26).

The Word of God teaches: “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work” (2 Timothy 3:16-17).

2. The Holy Spirit admonishes: “Yet for many years You had patience with them, and testified against them by Your Spirit in Your prophets. Yet they would not listen; therefore You gave them into the hand of the peoples of the lands” (Nehemiah 9:30).

The Word of God admonishes: (2 Timothy 3:16-17).

3. The Holy Spirit convicts: “And when He has come, He will convict the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment” (John 16:8).

The Word of God convicts: “Holding fast the faithful word as he has been taught, that he may be able, by sound doctrine, both to exhort and convict those who contradict” (Titus 1:9).

4. The Holy Spirit causes us to be born again: “Jesus answered, ‘Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God’” (John 3:5).

The Word of God causes us to be born again: “Having been born again, not of corruptible seed but incorruptible, through the word of God which lives and abides forever” (1 Peter 1:23).

5. The Holy Spirit gives us life: “It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing. The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life” (John 6:63).

The Word of God gives us life: “This is my comfort in my affliction, for Your word has given me life” (Psalm 119:50).

6. The Holy Spirit gives guidance: “However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come” (John 16:13).

The Word of God gives guidance: “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path” (Psalm 119:105).

7. The Holy Spirit sanctifies us: “And such were some of you. But you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God” (1 Corinthians 6:11).

The Word of God sanctifies us: “Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth” (John 17:17).

8. The Holy Spirit washes us: (1 Corinthians 6:11).

The Word of God washes us: “That He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word” (Ephesians 5:26).

9. The Holy Spirit saves us: “Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit” (Titus 3:5).

The Word of God saves us: “Therefore lay aside all filthiness and overflow of wickedness, and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls” (James 1:21).

10. The Holy Spirit provides comfort: “Then the churches throughout all Judea, Galilee, and Samaria had peace and were edified. And walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, they were multiplied” (Acts 9:31).

The Word of God provides comfort: “Therefore comfort one another with these words” (1 Thessalonians 4 18).

11. The Holy Spirit bears witness: “The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God” (Romans 8:16).

The Word of God bears witness: “You search the Scriptures, for in them you think you have eternal life; and these are they which testify of Me” (John 5:39).

12. The Holy Spirit perfects the love of God: “Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us” (Romans 5:5).

The Word of God perfects the love of God: “But whoever keeps His word, truly the love of God is perfected in him. By this we know that we are in Him” (1 John 2:5).

13. The Holy Spirit fills us: “And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit” (Ephesians 5:18).

The Word of God fills us: “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).

14. The Holy Spirit calls us: “And the Spirit and the bride say, ‘Come!’ And let him who hears say, ‘Come!’ And let him who thirsts come. Whoever desires, let him take the water of life freely” (Revelation 22:17).

The Word of God calls us: “To which He called you by our gospel, for the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ” (2 Thessalonians 2:14).

15. The Holy Spirit builds us up: “That He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man” (Ephesians 3:16).

The Word of God builds us up: “So now, brethren, I commend you to God and to the word of His grace, which is able to build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified” (Acts 20:32).

Not only does the Bible tell us that the Holy Spirit dwells in the Christian, it also tells us how He comes to dwell in the Christian – through His word. As we abide in His word, we enjoy fellowship with the Godhead and the influence of the Holy Spirit can be seen in our life.

Consequences of a Literal, Personal Indwelling View

The belief that the Holy Spirit literally, personally dwells within believers is not just a harmless opinion. There are some serious consequences to this view that must be considered.

1. The Written Word Becomes Insufficient. If a Christian can receive the blessings that were designed by God to be received through His word in some means that is independent and apart from the word of God, then the word of God is no longer necessary for the Christian. This conclusion plays into the hands of those who thrive on emotionalism, are lazy, and do not want to study the Bible.

2. A Dangerous Step Towards Emotionalism and the Charismatic Movement. Strange views are held by those in the denominational world regarding the literal indwelling of the Holy Spirit. For instance, some people insist that, through the Holy Spirit, they receive extra-biblical guidance and wisdom. Many of them confuse the trained conscience with the speaking of the Spirit (They say things like, “The Spirit laid this on my heart,” etc.). Some even believe that it is impossible for them to sin because the Spirit dwelling in them would not allow them to sin.

It is not wrong for a Christian to hold beliefs that are true simply because they happen to be shared by his charismatic neighbors. However, the Charismatic Movement as a whole is more interested in what they feel than in hearing a “thus saith the Lord.” Brethren can fall into this thinking as well, and soon the Bible is abandoned in favor of personal feelings which are mistaken for a leading of the Spirit.

3. The Age of Miracles Has Not Ended. God works in this world through His providence. Any time deity interacts with this physical world in a direct way it is a miracle. For a member of the Godhead to literally and personally dwell in my physical body requires a miracle.

4. We Are Emmanuel. That which made Jesus different than any other man was the fact that deity dwelt in His physical body. “Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel, which is translated, God with us” (Matthew 1:23). If the Holy Spirit literally dwells in me, then why wouldn’t I also be “Immanuel?” If the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit dwell directly and literally within my body, then why wouldn’t I be the “fullness of the Godhead bodily” (Colossians 2:9)?

I have never met a Christian who claims to be God in the flesh, yet this is what the literal indwelling of the Holy Spirit would make of every Christian.

Conclusion

The indwelling of the Holy Spirit is not an easy subject to understand, but we can understand that which has been revealed in the Bible about this subject.

No one should deny that the Spirit dwells in the Christian. The Bible teaches that the Spirit dwells in us through our faith and acceptance of His word. The Spirit can be said to dwell within us as we manifest the Spirit’s influence upon our lives. The fact that we dwell in the Godhead, and that the Godhead dwells in us, shows the closeness of the fellowship that we have with the Godhead. However, I believe we are in error to take the position that the Holy Spirit literally dwells within us. The Father, Son, and the Holy Spirit all dwell in us through our faith, and operate upon our lives through the word of God.

The following is a tribute I wrote for my father, who passed from this life October 20, 2011.  My friend and brother in Christ, Dennis Craig, read it for me at a memorial service we had for dad on October 24, 2011.  Dad’s name was Larry Cox.  He was not well known in the brotherhood, but he was well loved by the brethren who knew him.  He was not a preacher, just a kind and godly man.  And a wonderful example for me and his family, friends and brethren.  Men like this deserve honor as much as others who are better known.  I pray you are encouraged and edified by learning a bit more about my dad.

The day before my dad died he and I were sitting in his hospital room talking. He mentioned to me that he had for a long while toyed with the idea of writing a short biography of his life that he thought might have meaning for his family. "When you have lived as long as I have," he said, "you gain a couple of insights you can share. Maybe not many, but a few."

This desire was not a surprise to me, because I had found a short outline he had handwritten some time before. I was going through his papers while he was in the ICU, near death, a year ago. I kept it with me for the past year. It is a single page, off of a 5" X 8" pad. I would like to spend a short time "fleshing out" that outline to give you a better idea of the type of man dad was. All of you know him as a kind man and a faithful Christian. There are reasons he lived his life as he did.

Dad was raised by a Christian mother. His mom, Helen, and dad, Walter, were both members at West Side, and are known by some of the brethren here today. Grandpa did not obey the gospel until late in life, and his conversion is one of the events that dad counted most precious. He considered his mother and his grandmother Pearl Robinson to be the most important early Christian influences in his life. Grandma Robinson was a member of the Polytechnic church of Christ here in Fort Worth when dad was a child. In fact, dad was baptized by a Fort Worth preacher whose name will be familiar to many, Johnny Ramsey.

As a young adult, Dad lost his way for a while. He and mom met and married, and from about age 18-30 he describes his life as 12 years of non-service. Of course, he meant that he was out of service to his Lord. It is no surprise that he would self-define his life in spiritual terms. During that period he was involved in worldly activities. I remember occasional poker nights when his buddies would come to our house for beer, smokes and cards. Dad was always a very skilled athlete, and time was spent in bowling alleys and playing pool. Some men would be proud of their prowess in these matters. I relate these things not because dad was proud of his time out of duty, but to illustrate a point he wanted to make.

The best way I know to do that is to relate to you a conversation I had with one of his fellow workers. About 10 years after dad (as he put it) got back into "the swing of things" in his spiritual life, I spent a summer working for the same company he had spent his whole adult life working for, Amoco Production Company. One week my duty as an engineer in training was to ride along with a pumper checking wells, and learning that aspect of oilfield work. While riding from well to well, we had plenty of time to talk. I don’t remember the man’s name, but he had known my father for many years.

He told me that he remembered well a day "about 10 years ago", when my dad made an abrupt change. He said that he had never seen anything like it. He knew dad to be "one of the boys." He knew of his gambling and knew of his "oilfield language" (which, by the way, he never used at home). In short, he was no different than anybody else, and then the next day, he was a man who lived righteously for his Lord. This pumper had never seen anything like it before, but he said he respected my father immensely for his conviction.

What had happened is that my dad had decided (as he put it) to get back into "the swing of things." He changed his life, and the life of his family. Grant was about 13, I was 9, and Fawn was 5 years old. We had been invited by Bob and Sandra Gage to visit the services of a small congregation out west of Odessa, the Westridge church. Mom and dad decided to rededicate their lives to the Lord, and we spent the rest of our childhood being raised by godly parents. Dad was always a good father and husband, but the decision he and mom made that day made a tremendous difference in his and our lives.

His friend Rick told me that he asked dad once how he had come to raise a preacher. Dad was very uncomfortable speaking in public, and confessed he had no idea. But I know. He raised a preacher because one day when I was at the tender age of 9 years old he decided to serve the Lord.

Others that dad listed as influences in his life were his father-in-law Jesse James, my mom’s grandfather Isaac James, and his own dad Walter. We all rejoiced when Grandpa, after retirement and his first stroke, was baptized into Christ.

In dad’s outline, he mentions "Our kids" meaning Grant, myself and Fawn. He was proud of each of us. Proud of what we had made of ourselves. Proud of the job we have done in raising our kids. He loved us dearly. Family was the second most important thing in his life, after his faith. He coached Grant’s little league baseball team, and was at every game that Fawn and I played in junior high and high school. He was proud of the fact that his daughter won the city championship as a freshman in the 100 yard dash, and three years later was voted homecoming queen. His office was decorated with pictures of our athletic endeavors and the trophies we had amassed in sports through our childhood. He loved to tell of the time that an opposing coach intentionally walked the bases loaded in the hopes of striking out Grant, and Grant responded with a grand slam home run.

Dad was also proud of all his grandkids and great-grandkids, and had high hopes for their future. He prayed for their success, and more importantly for their souls. In this day and time some people misunderstand these desires. They think it inappropriate and somewhat presumptive for a man to expect his children and grandchildren to adopt the same values he himself held. That is just not so. Over forty years ago dad stopped living his life on his own terms. He decided to submit to God’s terms. He fully understood the wise man’s words from the book of Proverbs, "There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death" (14:12). He figured it out that it is not about what "I think," but about what God wants. He humbled himself before God. He prayed that each of his kids and grandkids would do the same thing. He wished for them future success, but more importantly, eternal life.

Dad was an athlete. Sports were always very important to our family. Our family has college athletes, all-district performers, baseball and softball players, basketball players, cross-country runners, decathletes, polevaulters, powerlifters, quarterbacks and defensive linemen. None of us could stay on the racquetball court with PawPaw. No one could hang with him in Ping Pong, or match his bowling average. No one could beat him at pool. In racquetball he was ranked first nationally in his age group (65 and over), and delighted in testing himself against younger men, getting the best of them the majority of the time. At age 18 he won the intramural Ping Pong tournament at Odessa College. Around the age of 30 he played league volleyball for one of the best men’s teams in the Odessa area. At the age of 40, when he weighed about 180 pounds, he benched pressed 325 lbs. At age 50 he ran a half marathon. Just about every one of his grandchildren spent their youth wearing as sleepshirts the free T-shirts he got at races and tournaments. He started playing the sport of racquetball when it was in its infancy, with wooden racquets and no eye protection. He continued to play the game until the day before he went in to get the stem cell transplant that prolonged his life for a couple of years.

Hearing this, you might get the idea that he was obsessed with sports. You would be wrong. He thoroughly enjoyed exercising, and recognized the truth in Paul’s words in his first letter to Timothy, "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" (4:8). Point four of his outline is "Racquetball and other sports (Keeping things in perspective)." Then in bold letters, Priorities.

His priorities were the last thing listed on the page, those things that gave him true pleasure. God first, family second, … and third? Everything else.

In Colossians 2 the apostle Paul wrote, "Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do. But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection." These attributes have been called the Apparel of Christ, and serve to define a righteous man. Mercy, kindness, humility, meekness and love.

Dad was a kind and compassionate man, and appreciated those qualities in others. He appreciated all of the nurses and doctors who cared for him during his illness, but especially those who took the time to visit with him, and to connect with him on a personal level. Any who took the time learned about his kids, grandkids and great-grandkids. But, he learned about their families and interests as well, because he was interested in their lives too. Many patients know that Dr. Vance is Harvard educated and a brilliant man, but I doubt very many know that he collects geeky T-shirts, and makes an annual trek to a gaming and comic book convention. But dad knew because he asked, listened and cared.

Dad was also a man of great honesty and integrity. You could count on one hand the number of days he called in sick during his 30 plus years working at Amoco. He knew that others often acted in self-serving ways, but he always determined to heed Paul’s admonition, "Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others" (Philippians 2:4).

We are saddened that the last few years of his life were dominated by his illness. Having beaten cancer once, it seems unfair that he would be afflicted by it a second time. However, the strength and equanimity he showed the last two years of his life have cemented his influence among his family, friends and brethren.

These words of tribute would not be complete if I did not mention his love for mom. She was the center of his life, the most beautiful woman in the world, and his most precious possession. They celebrated 50 years of marriage this summer, and through it all he loved her as Christ loved the church. He provided for her and his children, protected her, and was a kind and loving husband. She was everything to him, and he was and is to her as well.

The world has some peculiar ideas about what it means to be a man. My dad was a man. He loved God, and spent his life humbly serving Him. He loved his family, and showed that love in myriad ways every day. He loved his fellow man, and always was compassionate, understanding and kind. He was quiet, meek and humble. He was and is my greatest example – a man who deserved and received the respect and love of many.

We are going to miss him. But, he died with the hope of a child of God. He is at rest, and far better off than he was a week ago. His ravaged body has been put aside, and he awaits that immortal one that will replace it in the resurrection. Our family thanks all who have shared their condolences. Please know that we love you, and are comforted by your love and prayers.

Peter, James, and John seem to have formed an inner-circle within the Twelve. Why were these three men singled out? What was special about them? To address this question, we will first consider the occasions on which they were singled out, then we will consider the validity of some possible explanations.

1. The Raising of Jairus’ Daughter (Mark 5:21-43, Luke 8:40-56). The first time these three men were singled out was when Jesus raised a girl from the dead. This miracle occurred during a time when Jesus’ popularity had grown to the point that it was becoming a burden. Everywhere Jesus went multitudes were waiting for Him, pressing in on Him.

This miracle is the last in a series recorded in Mark’s gospel. These miracles emphasize the Lord’s power over various things: the calming of the sea (Mark 4:35-41) showed the Lord’s power over nature, the casting out of demons (Mark 5:1-20) showed His power over demons, the healing of the woman (Mark 5:25-34) showed His power over disease, and the raising of the little girl (Mark 5:35-43) showed His power over death.

Although there may have been other instances, the Bible only records three times that Jesus raised one from the dead: Jairus’ daughter, the widow’s son in Nain (Luke 7:11-17), and Lazarus (John 11:38-44). The raising of Jairus’ daughter is the only occasion that was private; the other two miracles were performed in the open before many people. When word came from Jairus’ home that his daughter was dead, Jesus told him not to be afraid. He then “permitted no one to follow Him except Peter, James, and John” (Mark 5:37). When they arrived at the house, a group of people were in the home weeping and wailing loudly. Jesus put them all out of the house (v. 40), and then He, the mother and father, and the three disciples entered the room where the child was lying and He raised her from the dead.

2. The Transfiguration (Matthew 17:1-9, Mark 9:2-10, Luke 9:27-36). About a week after Peter made the good confession, Jesus took Peter, James, and John up on a high mountain and was transfigured before them. He underwent a change in His appearance. “His face shone like the sun” (Matthew 17:2), and “His clothes became shining, exceedingly white, like snow, such as no launderer on earth can whiten them” (Mark 9:2). For a brief moment, these three men were allowed to see the proof of Peter’s confession – that Jesus was indeed the divine Son of God.

Moses and Elijah appeared to them, talking with Jesus about His death (Luke 9:31). In his fear and confusion, Peter suggested honoring all three men equally by building three tabernacles for them. God spoke out of the cloud, telling Peter, James, and John to listen to His Son. After the event, Jesus commanded them not to speak of it until after He had risen from the dead.

3. The Prayer in Gethsemane (Matthew 26:36-46, Mark 14:32-42). On the night in which He was betrayed, Jesus led His band of disciples to Gethsemane to pray while Judas came with the mob to arrest Him. Upon entering the garden, He told the eight to wait while He took Peter, James, and John further into the garden with Him. In this private moment, Jesus changed His appearance yet again. He began to be troubled and deeply distressed, and He confessed, “My soul is exceedingly sorrowful, even to death. Stay here and watch” (Mark 14:34).  

On the Mount of Transfiguration, these three men were allowed to see the deity of Jesus in His radiant glory (Luke 9:32). In the Garden of Gethsemane, they were allowed to see the humanity of Jesus in His sorrow and agony. It was during this time that Jesus gained strength for the coming trial through prayer, and was allowed to strengthen the three for the trial they would also face.

In addition to these three occasions, Peter and John were the two disciples who were sent into Jerusalem to prepare the Passover (Luke 22:8), and these three, joined by Andrew, privately asked the questions that prompted the Lord’s teaching on the destruction of Jerusalem (Mark 13:3). In the book of Acts, Peter and John are found together on significant occasions. They healed a lame man in the Temple, which resulted in the preaching of the second recorded sermon (Acts 3). They were the first two apostles who were arrested and commanded not to preach in the name of Jesus (Acts 4). And, when the gospel was accepted by the Samaritans, Peter and John were the two apostles who traveled to them so that they could receive the Holy Spirit (Acts 8:14-15).

Possible Explanations For the Singling Out of Peter, James, and John

Scholars and commentators have offered several suggestions as to why these three men were singled out and chosen to see the great blessings that they witnessed.

1. They Were the Lord’s Closest Friends. I imagine that most everyone has a small circle of people that they are closer to than the rest of their friends and family. Some have suggested that Peter, James, and John were the Lord’s closest friends. This suggestion is attractive, and perhaps something this simple could provide the answer to our question, but there are some problems with the theory.

First, although the Gospel of John does not record any of these incidents involving Peter, James, and John, it does present the idea that John alone enjoyed a relationship with the Lord that was not shared among any of the other apostles. In his gospel, John refers to himself as the disciple whom Jesus loved (John 13:23, 19:26, 20:2, 21:7). On two of these occasions John is mentioned with Peter (John 20:2, 21:7), and yet Peter is designated simply by his name, while John is identified as the disciple whom Jesus loved. If the Synoptic Gospels (Matthew, Mark, and Luke) make the argument that Peter, James, and John were the Lord’s closest friends, then John’s Gospel can be said to make the argument that John alone was the Lord’s closest friend.  

Second, there is no indication that Jesus ever played “favorites” with His band of disciples. He indicated that all of them were His friends if they kept His commandments (John 15:13-15). Even Judas is called His close, “familiar friend” through the voice of prophecy (Psalm 41:9).

2. Each Occasion Needed A Limited Number of Witnesses. Part of the work of an apostle was to be an eyewitness of the works and teachings of Jesus (Acts 1:21-22). The three events witnessed by Peter, James, and John were significant and taught important lessons about the identity of Jesus as the Son of God. Someone needed to see these things. However, these particular events were private in nature, and on these occasions Jesus used the fewest number of witnesses that were permitted under the Law of Moses (Deuteronomy 17:6, 19:15).

When Jesus raised the girl from the dead, there was a great multitude thronging Him as He traveled to the house. These parents did not need a multitude gathered in and around their house as they underwent this emotional turmoil. Jesus only took three disciples with him into the room. Afterwards, He strictly commanded them not to tell anyone what had happened. At the transfiguration, Jesus commanded them not to tell anyone what they had seen until after He rose from the dead. On the night that He was betrayed, Jesus spent much time preparing the disciples for His departure. However, in the Garden of Gethsemane Jesus needed a private moment in which to express His sorrow and to pray for strength.  

3. They Had Advanced Beyond the Other Disciples. Jesus taught that those who proved to be faithful with little would be blessed with more (Matthew 25:21, 23, 29). Based on this teaching, some suggest that Peter, James, and John were advanced to “higher studies” because they had shown greater progress than the others. They weren’t singled out by the Lord as much as they themselves had risen above the others in their faith and understanding.

I see something different in the training of the twelve. There were many times when the Lord rebuked the disciples as a group for their lack of faith. There are even occasions in which Peter, James, and John were singled out and rebuked for their lack of faith (Matthew 14:31, Luke 9:54-56). The Scriptures do not indicate that Peter, James, and John were more advanced in their faith than the other disciples.

4. To Better Equip Them For Their Future Roles And Responsibilities. There is no doubt that these experiences had a great impact upon the lives of Peter, James, and John. Perhaps the answer to our question is found in what these men did after these events.

Peter is the only one of the original twelve apostles who raised anyone from the dead (Acts 9:36-43). (Paul raised Eutychus (Acts 20:9-12), but Paul was not one of the original twelve. We must also remember that the book of Acts does not claim to record every miracle performed by every apostle. Perhaps other people were raised from the dead by the apostles, but these are the only two occasions that are recorded in Scripture.) The scene in the upper room where Peter raised Dorcas from the dead is similar to the time that Peter witnessed Jesus raising the little girl from the dead. Like Jesus, Peter put all the people out of the room before the woman was brought back to life.

On the night that He was betrayed, Jesus told Peter that he had been singled out by Satan to be sifted as wheat (Luke 22:31). Peter needed to prepare himself for this trial. He was taken into Gethsemane, shown the seriousness of the hour, and admonished repeatedly to watch and pray that he enter not into temptation. His spirit was willing, but Jesus knew that his flesh was weak. Peter needed Gethsemane as much as did the Lord.

Peter was not the first Pope, but he did play a prominent role in the establishment and growth of the church. He took the lead in preaching the Gospel for the first time (Acts 2), and was the first to preach to the Gentiles (Acts 10).

John was the last living apostle. He had to do the work of an apostle “alone” for many years after the death of his brother James, as well as the rest of the apostles. There is a sense of loneliness that is experienced by the last living member of any close group of people. The experiences witnessed by John gave him a unique, firsthand knowledge of the Lord’s deity and humanity (John 1:14, 1 John 1:1-4), and would provide the basis for a faith that would have to stand alone for many years.  

Not much is known about James after our Lord’s ascension. He is singled out only one time in the book of Acts – he was the first apostle to be martyred (Acts 12:2). All three of the events that James witnessed with Peter and John have something to do with death. At the raising of Jairus’ daughter, James saw that Jesus is victorious over death. At the transfiguration, James saw that Jesus would be glorified in His death. In Gethsemane, James saw the Lord willingly surrender to His death. Perhaps these events helped James when he had to face his own death. The faith that he showed at his death would have been a great example to the other apostles (who would be martyred themselves, with the exception of his brother John) as well as to the church as it continued to undergo persecution.

Conclusion. The fact is that we do not know for sure why Peter, James, and John were singled out on these occasions. We do not know what made them merit the privilege of witnessing these great events. We can study and speculate, but the Scriptures do not give a clear answer to this question.

It is important that we respect the fact that God has not supplied an answer to this question. There are a great number of questions that are of interest to man which are not answered in Scripture. When we have studied and learn that the Bible does not provide an answer, we must accept this fact and move on. “The secret things belong to the Lord our God, but those things which are revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may do all the words of this law” (Deuteronomy 29:29). While there is nothing wrong with asking questions and searching the Scriptures for answers, it is a dangerous thing for us to shipwreck our faith in search for answers which do not exist. The “things which are revealed” form the basis for our faith (Romans 10:17). The things which are not revealed are not necessary for our faith and service to God. 

While this study cannot answer our question, it does provide a reminder of some important lessons for us as followers of Christ. Jesus has power over death. There will come a day in which all who are in the graves will hear His voice and come forth (John 5:28-29). Jesus was glorified on the mountain and He suffered in the garden, proving that He is both the Son of God and the Son of Man. Indeed, “in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily” (Colossians 2:9).

While Peter, James, and John were not more important than the other apostles, we need to appreciate them for the roles that they played in establishing the church, spreading the gospel, strengthening their brethren, and confronting the error that existed in their day.

The religious landscape of our nation is also changing. Basic truths of Christianity are constantly challenged and denied by so-called Christians. This change has had an impact upon some of our brethren. In recent years we have heard brethren make arguments for a figurative interpretation of the creation account in Genesis, question the inspiration of 2 Peter and Jude, and deny the eternal nature of Hell.

All this change going on in the world is enough to make one’s head swim. However, we must remember that we are not the first ones to have lived in a time of great moral decline. Things generally happen in cycles (consider the book of Judges), which should indicate to us that we are not living in the “worst of times.”

It is God’s plan and desire that we mature to the point that their faith is strong and stable. “That we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting” (Ephesians 4:14). Although we live in a world that is subject to change, there are some things that will never change. These eternal truths must be our foundation if our faith is going to survive these times of confusion and change.

God Does Not Change

“For I am the LORD, I do not change; therefore you are not consumed, O sons of Jacob” (Malachi 3:6).

People change. We make discoveries and grow in our knowledge. We gain wisdom by learning from our mistakes. Our levels of tolerance change as we are exposed to new ideas and trends. Time may have this effect upon man, but time does not have any effect upon God. He created time and exists outside of time. There is nothing for God to discover. He makes no mistakes. He has not grown any wiser or more tolerant over the passing of years.

In spite of this fact, many people believe that God has changed. They argue that the God we read of in the Bible has “mellowed” with age or has accommodated Himself to our time and our way of thinking. However, the God portrayed by our society is a far cry from the never-changing God that we read of in the Bible. Consider just a few of His attributes which are denied by our society today.

1. God is a God of Reason

“Come now, and let us reason together…” (Isaiah 1:18). To reason is “to think coherently and logically; draw inferences or conclusions from facts.” The fact that God calls upon man to reason with Him tells us that both God and man are capable of thinking logically. It also tells us that there must be a fixed standard upon which we can and must reason. Truth cannot be relative or subjective. This means that truth cannot be one thing for me, another thing for you, and another thing for God.

It has become a “sin” to claim to have the truth in our world today. No single group is “allowed” to have a monopoly on the truth. Without any standards of right and wrong, each person is encouraged to believe what he wants to believe, with the understanding that we all agree to disagree. The spirit of ecumenicism has captured the hearts of our age, insisting that all faiths are equally valid. Thus there is no need to evangelize or proselytize. Such actions are looked upon as unnecessary and even harmful.

However, truth is, by its very nature, exclusive. There is only one truth, and everything else is a lie. Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me” (John 14:6). Salvation is obtained by obeying “the truth” (1 Peter 1:22), not our version of the truth.

Since God is a God of reason, and invites us to reason with Him, we know that God cannot be the source of confusion (1 Corinthians 14:33). We live in a confusing time; with so many different churches, philosophies, and ideas about the Bible. However, this confusion is not God’s fault. God is a God of design, order, peace, and harmony. Confusion in our world is evidence that God’s wisdom is being rejected.

15 This wisdom does not descend from above, but is earthly, sensual, demonic.

16 For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there.

17 But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy.

18 Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.

James 3:15-18

2. God is Sovereign

The word sovereign means “above or superior to all others, supreme in power, rank, or authority.” This is a perfect description of God. He is Lord over all of His creation.

1 The LORD reigns; let the peoples tremble! He dwells between the cherubim; let the earth be moved!

2 The LORD is great in Zion, and He is high above all the peoples.

3 Let them praise Your great and awesome name – He is holy.

Psalm 99:1-3

God’s sovereignty is never subject to man’s approval. God’s judgments are in all the earth (Psalm 105:7), whether we acknowledge them or not! God has the right to tell us how to live. This right is His, not because we gave it to Him, but because He is our Creator. “But indeed, O man, who are you to reply against God? Will the thing formed say to him who formed it, ‘Why have you made me like this?’ Does not the potter have power over the clay, from the same lump to make one vessel for honor and another for dishonor?” (Romans 9:20-21).

3. God is Righteous

We know that God is loving, patient, merciful, forgiving, etc. – but He is also a righteous God. “Clouds and darkness surround Him; righteousness and justice are the foundation of His throne” (Psalm 97:2).

The English word “righteous” was originally spelt “rightwise.” This helps us to see that a righteous person is one who is “wise” concerning what is right and wrong. Such a person has an understanding of what is right and wrong. He does what is morally right, fair, and just. He also opposes that which is wrong, unjust, and unfair.

God cannot overlook sin. He hates sin and demands obedience. God’s love does not negate or cancel out His righteousness. Our God is still a consuming fire, and it is still a fearful thing to fall into His hands (Hebrews 10:31, 12:29). His judgment upon this world will be a righteous judgment (Acts 17:31, Romans 1:32, 2 Thessalonians 1:5-6).

Times may change and people may change, but God does not change. There is no reason for Christians to make concessions or compromises. There is no need for us to be ashamed of or to apologize for having the truth. The Lord God Omnipotent still reigns and His righteousness endures forever.

God’s Law Does Not Change

This fact is easily observed by looking unto God’s natural laws. These laws are established and govern our lives in this world. For instance, the sun always rises in the east and sets in the west. Gravity always works. If one touches a hot stove he will get burned. These observable facts are not relative. They are universal and constant.

God has set forth the boundaries for His physical creation, and He has also set forth the moral boundaries for mankind (Titus 2:11-12, Galatians 5:19-23). If we recognize the permanence of God’s law which governs the physical universe, upon what basis can we logically believe that God’s moral law is subject to change? God has not changed these moral standards. Neither has He given man the right to change these standards.

God pronounced a woe upon His people for changing His moral standards. “Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil; who put darkness for light, and light for darkness; who put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter! Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes, and prudent in their own sight!” (Isaiah 5:20-21).

The people of Isaiah’s day were turning God’s standards upside-down because it was what was right in their own eyes. The same thing is happening today. For example, God calls homosexuality an abomination (Leviticus 18:22). Like all sin, it will cause one to lose his soul and be excluded from Heaven (1 Corinthians 6:9-10). Yet, our society is celebrating and embracing homosexuality as a loving, alternate lifestyle. At the same time, this “tolerant” and “accepting” world vilifies Christians who stand by the teachings of the Bible. Homosexuality is portrayed as “love,” while preaching against this sin is labeled a “hate crime.” Thus, our society is calling that which is evil “good,” and that which is good “evil.”

The world may have changed, but God’s law regarding the sin of homosexuality has not changed. The churches of men can vote and approve of church membership and clergy positions for homosexuals, states can vote to approve of same-sex marriage, but none of this will ever change what God has said on the subject. We cannot out-vote or overrule God! Times may change, but God’s law and standards will never change. “Indeed, let God be true but every man a liar” (Romans 3:4).

God’s Word Does Not Change

“Forever, O Lord, Your word is settled in heaven.” (Psalm 119:89). God’s word is not subject to the fluctuating whims of sinful men. It is settled – established, set in stone. It is settled forever – it will never be altered, amended, or canceled out. It is settled forever in heaven – out of man’s reach. No one can tamper with it. It is safe and preserved from those who seek to change it. Cutting verses out of one’s Bible cannot change what God’s word says about baptism. Church councils and conventions cannot change what God’s word says about homosexuality. Brotherhood papers, debates, books, and emotional pleas cannot change what God’s word says about divorce and remarriage.

God’s word is not ink on paper bound in leather. Books can be destroyed. God’s word is eternal truth which can never be destroyed (Matthew 24:35). The passing of time does not alter eternal truth. God’s word is just as relevant and just as applicable in our lives today as it was when it was first penned by the inspired writers.

God’s Promises Do Not Change

This is true because these promises come from a God who cannot lie and who does not change. God is faithful (1 Corinthians 1:9, 10:13). He keeps His word.

God promised that sin would bring death (Genesis 2:17), and it did. God then promised that the Seed of woman would crush the serpent, and He did (Genesis 3:15).

God promised Noah that He would destroy the world with water, and He did (Genesis 6-9). God has promised us that there will be a Day of Judgment (Acts 17:30-31, 2 Peter 3:5-9). He has also promised that there is a way for us to escape this judgment. We must repent (2 Peter 3:9) and obey the gospel (2 Thessalonians 1:8). There is no other way for us to escape judgment. God cannot be fooled (Galatians 6:7-8). We are not the exception to the rule. We can either obey the gospel or die in our sins and go to Hell.

The promises of God give strength to the weary Christian. We can know that we are saved (Titus 1:2, 1 John 5:13). God has promised that He will be with us through this life if we remain faithful to Him (2 Corinthians 6:17-18). We can stand upon the promises of God because He has the ability to do what He said He will do. “I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep what I have committed to Him until that Day” (2 Timothy 1:12).

Conclusion

There is no doubt that we live in a world of change, but God is the one constant in this world. He is Creator of all, Lord of all, and Judge of all. Man’s departure from the truth and unwillingness to acknowledge the sovereignty of God does not change anything about God. God’s moral law is just as fixed as His natural law. He will judge us one day. Man may deny it, complain about it, protest it, ignore it, dismiss it, or run away from it; but no one can change truth.

It is easy for the faithful Christian to look around him and become discouraged. It is difficult to watch our society continue to decline morally. We listen to statements made by others who claim to be Christians and wonder if there is anyone who believes what we believe about the Bible. What has happened to God and what has happened to His truth?

The prophet Habakkuk lived in a troubling time. He wondered how long God was going to allow things to proceed. In essence, he asked where God had gone. God told this perplexed prophet that the just shall live by faith (Habakkuk 2:4).

The apparent vanishing of God and truth from our world can be compared to a mountain that is concealed by a mourning cloud. A pilot flying an aircraft cannot go by sight alone. If his charts indicate an elevated terrain, he cannot assume that the mountain has disappeared just because he cannot see it. He must act as if the mountain is there and adjust his flight path accordingly. To fail to do so will be disastrous to both himself and his passengers.

God’s truth may seem to have vanished, but it is still there. God is still ruling on His throne and His laws are still governing the universe. He still calls upon men to repent because He still plans on judging the world in righteousness. Our culture may have created a facade that attempts to hide the reality of God and silence any mention of His truth, but He is still there. The just will have to live by faith in this ever-changing world. “Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life” (Revelation 2:10).