DO WE REALLY CARE FOR OR LOVE THE LOST?

Often times we sing the song, “Does Jesus Care”.  This is a very comforting song and is often sung at funerals.  There is a joy that fills the heart, especially when we sing the chorus, “O yes, He cares, I know He cares, His heart is touched with my grief; when the days are weary, The long night dreary, I know my Saviour cares.”  How do we know he cares?  Well, the Bible tells us he does and how much.  Jesus cares for you and me so much until he was willing to die for us that we might live.  He has proven his love for us.  Jesus left all the beauties and glories of heaven and came to this sin-cursed earth in order to pay the ransom price for the sins of man.  (Philippians 2:5-8).  In Luke 19:10 we read, “For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.”

 How much do we really care for the lost?  How much do we love them?  John said, “My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth.”

1. How much do you love your own soul?  Do you talk righteously but do not act so?  Do you really want to go to heaven?  Do you quickly find an excuse for not serving the Lord or do you faithfully serve him?  Do you attend all the services of the church possible and work for the cause of Christ?  If not, why not?  If your soul is saved, it will be because you love God, His Son, the church, the Bible and your soul more than anyone or anything in this life.  Jesus said, “If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple...so likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple.”  (Luke 14:26, 33)     I know some do not love their own soul for they will not attend worship or serve the Lord.  Some of you have been pleaded with time and time again, but continue to give some silly excuse for not faithfully serving God. 
2. Do you love the souls of your children and grandchildren?  You do not unless you are a faithful, dedicated example of Christianity.  Oh, you say, I provide for them well.  I give them a good house, car, boat, etc.  I cook, iron, etc. for them.  Yes, but that wasn't the question.  The question was, “Do you love the souls of your children and grandchildren?”  Parents have an obligation to bring up their children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord and yet, many seem to think they are doing someone a favor when they bring their children to Bible classes and worship service once in a while.     Parents, how can you look your children in the face and say, “I love you.”, and then not be faithful in services and not work for the saving of lost souls.
3. How much do you love the soul of your husband or wife?  Do you set the best example for him or her?  Does your mate know that God comes first even before him or her?  Do you act un-Christian?  Do you curse, swear, get mad, fuss, drink, etc.?  Do you ever invite Christian friends into your home that your mate may get to know them and to appreciate them?  It seems that some couldn't care less if their mate is lost.  How much do you care?
4. How much do you love the lost in the community?  Do you say, “Yes, I want them to be saved and go to heaven,” but never do anything toward their salvation?  Do you believe the world is saying of the church today, “Those people really care about lost souls?”
5. How much do you love your unfaithful brethren?  Paul said, “Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.”  (Galatians 6:1).  How many of the unfaithful have you contacted lately concerning their soul?  Have you even considered their unfaithfulness?  James said, “Brethren, if any of you do err from the truth, and one convert him; Let him know, that he which converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins.”  (James 5:19, 20)

Remember, we are to love in deed and in truth.  Brethren, how much do we really love the lost?

Author Unknown

“IF, AND ONLY IF…”

The title above expresses a formula in logic and mathematics regarding compound statements (i.e., “biconditionals”). The formula (IFF, abbrev.) applies if, and only if both statements are of exactly the same “truth value.” The IFF formula is a powerful way of expressing propositional facts and truths that are incontrovertible.  

The New Testament contains several statements that readily demonstrate this formula, but which men deny or ignore on a large scale to their own present and future detriment. Consider the following:  

“Except ye believe that I am he, ye shall die in your sins” (John 8:24). One will avoid dying in sin and being eternally condemned if, and only if one believes Jesus’ Deity claims. Those who deny that Jesus is the only begotten of the Father will be lost.  

“Except ye repent, ye shall all…perish” (Luke 13:3, 5). One will avoid perishing (eternally) if, and only if one repents of his sins (i.e., turns from them in purpose and in practice). Those who continue in sin will be lost eternally.  

“Except one be born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God” (John 3:5). One may/can enter into God’s kingdom (either its earthly or heavenly state) if, and only if one is born of water and the Spirit. Jesus will deliver up to God in the heavenly kingdom only those who are in His kingdom here below (I Corinthians 15:24).  

“He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved” (Mark 16:16a). One will be saved from the ravages, guilt, and consequence (both now and in eternity) if, and only if one believes the Gospel and is baptized according to New Testament teaching. All others will not be saved (i.e., they will be lost).  

“Repent ye, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ unto the remission of your sins” (Acts 2:38). One will receive remission (forgiveness) of sins if, and only if one repents of his sins and is baptized according to New Testament teaching. Those who fail to do so will arrive at The Judgment with unforgiven sins and will thus be lost.  

“He [Jesus] became unto all them that obey him the author of eternal salvation” (Hebrews 5:9). One will receive eternal salvation if, and only if one obeys Jesus Christ. It is not enough merely to believe in Him; one’s salvation depends upon obeying Him.  

“Be baptized, and wash away thy sins” (Acts 22:16). One’s sins are washed away if, and only if one is baptized according to New Testament teaching. Baptism is the God-ordained act in which one is cleansed of sin through the blood of Christ (I Peter 1:18–19; Revelation 1:5).  

These are but a few of many such statements indicating immutable Truth concerning eternal salvation damnation.

Dub McClish

Our Ruin— The Toleration of Evil

Approximately eight years after Daniel was deported from his homeland, a second wave of Jewish exiles was transported to Babylon during the reign of Jehoiachin in 597 B.C. Among this latter group of captives was the fiery prophet Ezekiel. In 592 B.C., on the banks of the Chebar River, Ezekiel was called by God to speak inspired words to the Israelite captives. Ezekiel’s divine message was typical of the Hebrew prophets: “Repent!” On one occasion, the prophet posed a particularly intriguing aim of this penitence: “so iniquity shall not be your ruin” (Ezekiel 18:30).

We sorely need to recognize the significance of this insight in our own day. There was a fellow in the church of Christ at Corinth who was exhibiting unfaithful behavior. The membership took the back-slapping, tolerant approach to the situation. They took the “broadminded” approach. That’s where you figure you should “bear with” impenitent persons. You feel you should give them time—perhaps more teaching— more encouragement. Then you get to thinking that such is the “loving, spiritual” course of action. The members at Corinth were being “big” about the situation, no doubt thinking their tolerance was the “mature” thing to do. This attitude was evident from the fact that Paul described them as “puffed up” (I Corinthians 5:2). In other words, they were proud, they should have been filled with grief! The word for “mourned” is the word used for the sorrow that occurs when a loved one dies. Paul was saying they should have been mourning for this brother because in God’s sight, he was dead! Rather than seeking to woo the fornicator out of his lost condition by tolerating it or overlooking it, they should have already formally and publicly handed him over to Satan (I Corinthians 5:5)! They should have already “purged” him from the church (I Corinthians 5:7)! They should have passed “judgment” upon him and “expelled” him (I Corinthians 5:12-13)!

How odd—how strange such instructions sound in contrast to the general mood prevailing among churches of Christ today! Groups accept the impenitent with open arms without batting an eye, or at most after only a mild bout with conscience. If only Ezekiel’s words could penetrate our proud hearts—so that sin will not be our ruin.

Dave Miller  (Spiritual Sword, July 1985)

The above article was written in 1985 by the now impenitent Dave Miller. The article accurately described what has happened in the brotherhood toward Dave Miller who remains impenitent since 2005. He publicly espoused, endorsed, and taught the false doctrine of reaffirmation/re-evaluation of elders as well as the error of marriage “intent.” While called upon by some to repent, he has refused and has chosen rather to foist upon the brotherhood an explanation of what he had done and called it repentance. Large, influential groups have accepted this impenitent one “with open arms without batting an eye, or at most after only a mild bout with conscience.” Many have no doubt thought that their tolerance of Dave Miller was the “big” thing to do, the “mature” thing to do; some have thought it to the only thing to do because of their fear of losing their financial support. These brethren pride themselves on being “loving” and “spiritual” when in actuality they are unconcerned about the lost condition of this false teacher and those being influenced by him. Rather than being proud of their tolerance they, as Paul said to the Corinthians, should be filled with grief because he is lost because of his refusal to repent. In God’s sight, he is dead! “Rather than seeking to woo the fornicator [false teacher in this case, lk] out of his lost condition by tolerating it or overlooking it, they should have already formally and publicly handed him over to Satan (I Corinthians 5:5)! They should have already “purged” him from the church (I Corinthians 5:7)! They should have passed “judgment” upon him and “expelled” him (I Corinthians 5:12-13)!” That IS the loving, spiritual thing to do.

These brethren who tolerate him in his sin know that they need to repent of their tolerance of sin “so iniquity shall not be your ruin” (Ezekiel 18:30). What Ezekiel wrote is true, and what Dave Miller wrote in 1985 in the above article is still true. Dave Miller understood it then, but fails to understand it now! The lesson of the above article needs to be recognized and put into practice without respect of persons. We should all be mourning with “sorrow that occurs when a loved one dies” because of this sin and its toleration that is so prevalent.

Lester Kamp

Did Christ Die In Vain?

The whole Christian system centers around the death of Jesus on the cross. He “died for the ungodly” (Romans 5:6, 8). He “gave himself for our sins” (Galatians 1:4). He “gave himself a ransom for all” (I Timothy 2:6). He “laid down his life for us” (I John 3:16). In spite of these and numerous like statements of Scripture, certain things, if true, would mean that Christ died in vain.

• If salvation is by law of Moses: Paul argued: “If righteousness is through the law, then Christ died for nought” (Galatians 2: 21b). The Galatians had fallen victim to the teaching of Jewish Christians who sought to bind at least parts of the law (i.e., circumcision, 5:2–4; cf. Acts 15:1) upon Gentile Christians. If Moses’ law could have saved, it would not have been necessary for the Word to become flesh (John 1:14). The Hebrew nation had been under that law for 1,500 years by the time of Jesus’ birth. It was but a “tutor” that pointed to the Christ (Galatians 3:24); its sacrifices were but typical of the only “Lamb of God, that taketh away the sin of the world” (John 1:29, emph. DM). Jesus slew the authority of Moses’ law on Calvary (Colossians 2:14). All who seek to justify religious practices by it (e.g., sabbath observance, priesthood, instrumental music in worship, holy water, et al.), by implication render the death of Jesus worthless.

• If religious division is right: Though diversity in religion (including various “world religions”) is applauded by the masses, the Bible condemns it. Jesus built only one religion/church (Matthew 16:18), and He intended for its members to be one, as He and the Father are one (which includes/demands doctrinal unity) (John 17:20–23). He did not even tolerate division in a single congregation of His church (I Corinthians 1:10–13). He died to establish this one body (Ephesians 2:16; 5:25). If Jesus is as pleased with the gross divisions in religion as with the one church He established, then “Christ died for nought” in that regard

• If the church is non-essential: Jesus “purchased” His church with His blood, which He shed on the cross (Acts 20:28). Jesus yes, the church no is still a common concept. If one is considering only man-made counterfeits of Jesus’ church, the slogan is true, for He died for none of them. His church consists of those who have been saved from sin and who will be saved eternally through His death (Romans 5:10; Acts 2:38, 41, 47). To include His church merely as one acceptable religion among the many implies that Christ paid that awful price for it in vain.

• If I am lost: Jesus’ death will have been wasted, as far as I am concerned, if I am lost. This will not be the case for others, of course. He “gave himself a ransom for all” (I Timothy 2:6), so all have the opportunity to be saved. But as for me, if I am lost, He may as well have spared Himself the misery of the cross, for it was for nought. It behooves each of us to obey Jesus’ plan of salvation (Acts 2:37–41), whereupon He will add us to His church (Acts 2:47), thereby accepting the salvation He offers. We thus attribute the true value to His death in a very personal way.

Dub McClish

We Believe in Good Days Ahead

Much of our bulletin work and a good portion of our pulpit work has to do with warning brethren of evils all around us. We never make an apology for this, noting that a goodly amount of the Bible deals in negative material. The profitableness of the Bible is said to be in the area of reproof and correction, as well as doctrine and instruction in righteousness (II Timothy 3:16). The young preacher Timothy was told to use the Word in reproving and rebuking, as well as exhorting (4:2). So, we have in the past, and will in the future, devote considerable space and time to warning brethren.

As a preacher, I would rather face the brethren in judgment, having warned them repeatedly (and having been called a “negative” preacher), than to face them and see them lost, and have them ask me, “Why didn’t you point out these dangers?” We find Ezekiel stressing that when the wicked are warned, then the person giving the warning has “delivered thy soul” (Ezekiel 3:17-19). We are, and must be, constantly in the business of keeping our own heads pure from other men’s blood (Acts 20:26).

The church, in its history, has weathered many storms. When the calm returns, we may be a smaller brotherhood, but we will be a stronger one for the hardships we have experienced. For all of our warnings concerning liberalism, modernism, permissiveness, worldliness, and apostasy, if the world stands, we confidently believe in good days ahead. The church may be smaller in size, for having lost many to these evil forces, but it will be a faithful and spiritual body. God has always had a pruning process, whether in response to His commands regarding discipline, or in the natural order of things whereby men leave us due to having already left us in spirit (I John 2:19). Nevertheless, in the turmoil used by Satan to take men away, the body of Christ is cleansed.

One reason we believe in good days ahead is the conviction that men can tire of their own filth, in time. That can happen in a nation. A society can cut loose its moorings into an abyss of degradation and depravity. Given time, though, it can happen that finally the basically good people can sicken of the filth around them, and come to say, “That’s it! No More!” They can begin to take corrective action.

We believe such will take place, if the world stands, in the church of the Lord. Already in some places brethren have decided that gimmickry is not spirituality, and some are crying out: “Why can’t we have Bible in our classrooms and from the pulpits?” They will—those with real spirituality that is—come to see what is really the work of the kingdom, and also to see that the church is not a “fun house” where everything is geared to our pleasure. Rather, men who are spiritual learn to take their pleasure in the things pleasing to God. Many will see loved ones lost forever, and many parents will perhaps be shaken in realizing that they have lost their children, before there is that awakening. But, in time, it will come. Once more we declare that men finally can sicken of their own filth, and then will move toward cleansing. We believe good days, while perhaps yet years away, will come. Finally, brethren will realize what has been said all along, “the gospel is the power of God unto salvation!” (Romans 1:16).

Bill Jackson