“ACQUAINT NOW THYSELF WITH HIM, AND BE AT PEACE” Job 22:21

Men have sought for centuries to define peace, and it can be a difficult task. Some define peace as the absence of war, but it is more properly described as the presence of the Lord with one, whether war is present or not. Peace is a much discussed subject in the Bible, and it would be good for us to pause for a few moments from our daily pursuits and notice some of the biblical references concerning it.

The Psalmist wrote, “I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep: for thou, LORD, only makest me dwell in safety” (Psalm 4:8). For those who faithfully follow Him, peace is a constant companion, “Great peace have they which love thy law: and nothing shall offend them” (Psalm 119:165). This does not mean that those who faithfully follow Him will never see adversity, but that despite the adversity peace is within them, “Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee” (Isaiah 26:3). We determine, in large part, whether we walk in peace or not, as Paul wished for the Colossians, “let the peace of God rule in your hearts” (Colossians 3:15).

The Christian age, in which we now live, was spoken of in prophecy as a time of peace, “they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks: nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more” (Isaiah 2:4). Again Isaiah wrote, “The wolf also shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the kid” (Isaiah 11:6). Paul said, “to be spiritually minded is life and peace” (Rom. 8:6). Those who are Christians, who have been justified by Christ, were said to “have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ” (Romans 5:1).

Christ knew the importance of peace, and He said, “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid” (John 14:27). The peace which comes from above is a preserving peace. It will take us through the difficult periods of life and preserve us safely into the arms of the Lord, “And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:7). As the gallant warrior of the Lord surveys the carnage and destruction round about him, as he sees all of the lost souls thrust into eternity without hope, as he sees his words fall on deaf ears, and as he sees his deeds of godliness go unappreciated, and as he sees his efforts “fail,” he nevertheless takes with him the knowledge mat God is with him, and helping him, and is most pleased with him. This leads to the realization that in the last day, when the judge of all the earth shall give out the eternal sentences for all men, his efforts will not be forgotten (I Corinthians 15:58). As the grand announcement to the world declares, where Christ is, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men” (Luke 2:14). You can make this peace yours by obeying the Lord and walking faith-fully in Him.

Are you a Christian? Have you heard and believed the Gospel (Hebrews 11:6, Romans 10:17); repented of sins (Acts 17:30-31, Luke 13:3); confessed Him before men (Matthew 10:32-33, Acts 8:37); and been immersed in water for the remission of sins (Acts 2:38; 22:16)? Are you being faithful in all things (Revelation 2:10)?

Tim Smith

THE BIBLE WILL SAVE THE WORLD

THE Bible contains the true religion, or there is none. There is light in the Bible to save the world, or the world is lost. Our only choice is between the Bible and nothing. Judaism is abolished. Mohammedanism has no claims in internal merit or external evidence. The fruits of all Paganism show that it is evil, and only evil, continually. Infidelity has nothing for the world. While it would take Christianity from us, it has nothing to propose. It is no system—no doctrine—teaches nothing and defends nothing. Its only province is to stand and deny. It finds fault with everything, starts doubts, destroys confidence, fills the world with fears, and spreads an eternal gloom over the prospects and hopes of all nations. Reason and the light of nature have been tried longer and more effectually than any system in the world. At least four thousand years have the pagan nations been trying what they could do for our race without a revelation from God. In all the experiments yet made, with no guide but reason and the light of nature, the tendency has been downward. Deterioration has been the universal result, without the light of the Bible.

We then, cling to the Bible, and the religion it reveals, as the only hope of the world. If it fails, all must fail, and all must be lost. But it is folly of the most stupid order to speak of the Bible failing. Its Author is emphatically the friend of man. Its holy lessons are all for our good. All who have been led by it, are thankful they ever knew it. It has never deceived one or misled one. No one has ever lamented being led by it. The more solemn and affecting the circumstances around us, and the greater the trials in which we are placed, the more comforting and precious are its holy consolations to the soul. It encourages all that is good; discourages and condemns all that is evil. It is our guide and comfort through the journey of life; nor does it fail when we are sinking in death. No one who believed it before, in a dying-hour denies and repudiates the Bible. But many determined infidels have recanted and repudiated their infidelity when sinking into the eternal state. That which they talked in health, that which dwelt upon their tongues in their mad career through life, they themselves condemned, in the most awful and solemn moments of life, and with their dying lips repudiated. How shameful and preposterous, that a man should live such a life of folly and inconsistency as to be compelled in his dying moments to condemn all his past life, with all the sentiments he had cherished and inculcated, and warn all men against them!

Benjamin Franklin (1812-1878)

Backsliding

As surprising as it may seem, many do not think that backsliding is a Biblical term. In Old Testament times, backsliding was a continual problem of God’s people as shown in Jeremiah 8:5, which states, “Why then is this people of Jerusalem slidden back by a perpetual backsliding? They hold fast deceit, they refuse to return.” To backslide is to turn away from God’s truth and return to one’s former wicked life.

There are many warnings in the Bible concerning the danger of backsliding. Paul wrote in I Corinthians 10:12: “Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.” Even Paul himself was not immune to the danger of backsliding. In I Corinthians 9:27, Paul wrote, “But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.”

In guarding against backsliding, it is necessary to determine its cause. A little boy trying to explain why he fell out of bed said, “I just went to sleep too close to where I got in.” This simple illustration helps explain why some fall away from Christ after becoming a Christian. Upon entering the kingdom, it is necessary that one grow spiritually. It is sad that many refuse to grow, but remain close to where they entered the kingdom. We are exhorted in Hebrews 6:6 to “go on unto perfection.” Likewise, we are admonished in II Peter 1:5-7 to add to our faith: virtue, knowledge, temperance, patience, godliness, brotherly kindness, and love. By growing in these qualities, we will guarantee that we will not “go to sleep too close to where we got in.” In fact, II Peter 1:10 states, “if ye do these things, ye shall never fall.”

Many refuse to grow because they remain closely tied to things in the world. In the parable of the sower, Jesus spoke of some who allow the “care(s) of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, (to) choke the word, and he becometh unfruitful” (Matthew 13:22). To avoid this, we must sever our ties to the world and turn our full attention to spiritual growth. By pressing on to perfection, we will not “slide back” into the ways of the world which we left when we became Christians.

 Bruce Stulting

Hold to God's Unchanging Hand

The Bible is under attack, but, then, it always has been by those enslaved to Satan, The world has consistently hated the restraints God’s law places on them. They delude themselves with the empty hope that their eternal destiny is not hell although the Bible says it is.

Denominational people do not consider themselves as being part of the world, but they are. They make no effort to believe or practice what the Bible teaches. In fact, they readily ignore, twist, pervert, or explain away any part of God’s Word that does not conform to their humanly-devised theories. Then, in arrogance and pride, they claim such rebellion is pleasing to God! In what way are they different from the rest of the world?

Only one group of people has the approval of God—those who submit to His will in humble, faithful obedience (Matthew 7:21-23). Obeying God’s will involves, among other things, complying with the conditions of salvation and being added by the Lord to His church (Acts 2:38; Colossians 2:12-13; I Corinthians 12:13).

It is not, never has been, and never will be, the place of man to sit in judgment on the law of the all-wise God (James 4:11-12). Mere men have never been given the power to add to or take away from God’s Word in even the most minute way (Deuteronomy 4:2; Galatians 1:6-9; Revelation 22:18-19). On the contrary, men are repeatedly warned of the severe consequences they can expect if they do.

Even in the church of Christ a certain element (who are more worldly than like their Savior) is continually assaulting some portion of God’s will. God’s people have always done this. Israel was warned about it repeatedly, yet she was in rebellion far more than she was faithful.

This has also been a problem in the body of Christ. Apostasy is condemned in the strongest terms (Matthew 7:15; Acts 20:29-30; I Timothy 4:1-3; II Timothy 3:1-5; 4:3; Revelation 22:18-19). Still, for whatever cause, some brethren refuse to speak where the Bible speaks and be silent where it is silent (I Peter 4:11). They do not believe in the verbal inspiration, inerrancy, or the authority of God’s Word, and they are working diligently to destroy your faith.

We do not have to let their worldly wisdom undermine our faith in God’s Word. They may have advanced degrees, but remember: their training was not in the Bible; it was in theology—what infidels to pure Christianity think about God and His religion. This is a classic example of misguided men, who love the sectarian world more than Christ and His will, trying to change pure Christianity into another man-made sect. To believe them is spiritual suicide (Galatians 1:6-9).

Al Brown

From the Past….

There has been an ever increasing tendency in the past few years to seek a change in the methods that have formerly motivated us in our attitude toward the denominational world. Brethren have contended for a different method of approach, have urged a modified view of the relation we sustain to the world. Particularly is this true with reference to the tactics that should characterize us in discussing the differences between the New Testament church and the denominations. As a result debates with Sectarians have become unpopular, strong preaching is frowned upon, and a generally soft attitude has become the order of the day. In the field of journalism, especially, has the battle waxed warm.  It is urged that argumentation and controversy have no place in a religious journal; that it is detrimental to the Cause to hand copies of our papers containing such to friends not Christians, and that the papers should be purged of all such. It is strange that proponents of this theory do not see that their argument is equally valid against the New Testament, itself. Paul withstood Peter to the face because he was to be blamed; and later told the world about it in his epistle to the churches of Galatia. Paul and Barnabas dissented so sharply over John Mark that they parted company. Evidently, Luke did not feel the need of surpassing this interesting bit of information concerning those men. Many other similar accounts are recorded with great detail in the Book of God. Indeed, we hesitate not to assert that this freedom to investigate and criticize, is the one safeguard against corruption of doctrine and innovation in worship. Only the realization that what we write is subjected to the most minute examination and the severest investigation will keep us from apostasy in matters of doctrine. It is indeed strange that any one who has regard for the Lord and His Word would seek to surpass criticism, or lift his utterances above the level of investigation. The very attempt smacks suspiciously of the papacy.

Denominationalism is the curse and bane of the age. So long as it remains to mislead and deceive the people, our work will not be finished. It is our duty fearlessly to unsheath the Sword of the Spirit, boldly go forth to battle, and plunge it into the very heart of sectarianism, until, mangled and bleeding, it is left to die in its own shame. Let the Lord’s disciples learn that their Master came not to bring peace on the earth, but a sword. The servant is not above his master. Christianity is, in its very nature aggressive, and its friends must never succumb to that maudlin pietism that trucks to the popularity of the world. The great characters of the past who have walked pleasingly before the Lord have been men who were not afraid. Noah stirred up considerable strife before the flood, and Moses created quite a storm in Egypt. Elijah disturbed Israel, and John the Baptist was beheaded for his fearless preaching.

Guy N. Woods

“Christianity in a Changing World,” Abilene Christian College Lectures (1939), pages 56-58.

How the Devil Works

Peter wrote, “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour” (I Peter 5:8). As long as we are in this earthly body we will have Satan as our adversary. His manner is subtle, “But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ” (II Corinthians 11:3). Not only is he subtle, he is full of tricks: “Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil” (Ephesians 6:11). We also read in Ephesians 6:16 that he is constantly throwing fiery darts our way trying to get us to stumble. But how does the Devil work? What does he do? Note the following:

 The Devil tries to keep every soul out of the church. The Devil does not want anyone to be saved, and he knows that people are saved who have been added to the church through obedience. So what does he do? He does anything he can do to get people not to believe the truth of God’s Word. If it takes tempting people with a man-made religion, or another gospel he will do it because he knows that if a person hears the gospel preached they will be told what it takes to be saved. The Devil will try to show that being a part of the body of Christ is not essential to salvation. He will ridicule and misrepresent the church. Yes friends, he will do everything in his power to keep every responsible soul out of the church.

The Devil tries to get you back into the world. If he cannot keep you from obeying the gospel, then he will do everything he can to get you back into the world. He does this by making the world and the things of the world appealing. He does everything he can to weaken your faith. He causes you to become discouraged. He will get your companions to corrupt you. He will rise up false teachers from among the church to entice you. He will do whatever it takes to destroy your faith and get you back into the world.

 But if he cannot keep you out of the church, and if he cannot get you back into the world, the Devil then will try to make you useless to the church. He does this by encouraging you not to study the Word so that you will not grow in the knowledge of the Lord. He tries to confuse your priorities so that you will not put the kingdom of God and His righteousness first in our life. He uses any devious trick that he can to render you useless and worthless in service to the Lord. The Devil knows the working Christian is pleasing to the Lord and because of their effort, others will be converted to the Lord and the church will grow and he does not want this to happen.

Author Unknown

What the World Needs Now. . .Is More Weeping Prophets!

Jeremiah has long been recognized as the “weeping prophet” because of his lamentations for Israel and Judah. Jesus wept over Jerusalem and no doubt countless other prophets of old and preachers of today have cried over the sins of the city. But as these great men of God wept they also “cried” out concerning the sins they beheld! Notice, “I have spoken unto you the word of Jehovah, rising up early and speaking; but ye have not hearkened (Jeremiah 25:3). And again, “And Jehovah hath sent unto you all his servants the prophets, rising up early and sending them, (but ye have not hearkened, nor inclined your ear to hear), saying, return ye now everyone from his evil way, and from the evil of your doing...and go not after other gods to serve them, and to worship them, and provoke me not to anger with the work of your hands; and I will do you no hurt. Yet ye have not hearkened unto me” (Jeremiah 25:4-7).

Jeremiah had become so discouraged with the wickedness of his brethren and their refusal to hear. He thought that he would shut up the Word of the Lord and speak or make mention of His name, but it burned like a fire, and he grew weary with his silence (Jeremiah 20:9). He had to speak!

The shepherds of Jeremiah’s day were responsible for scattering the sheep by refusing to visit them and God promised vengeance on such elders (Jeremiah 23:1-3). Elders today can be busy as a proverbial“cranberry merchant” and never do the work of elders – visit, counsel,guide, and succor the sheep. They, too, shall pay a terrible price for their negligence.

God pronounced a curse on all those who are negligent and who keep their sword back from blood in the service of the great king(Jeremiah 4:8-10). Oh, that such words would jar us out of ourcomplacency, compromise and conformity, and make us weep for the slain of our people!

Yes, what the world needs now is more weeping prophets dedicated to restoring the Will of God in our lives and spreading the Kingdom of God on this earth. Men and women who wield the Sword of the Spirit to separate us from idols. The idols of materialism, sensualism, negativism, liberalism, and procrastination. These are damning multitudes in the valley of decision and causing great men of God to weep for they see the patterns of history being repeated. Let us arise and weep, but let us cry too!

Andrew Connally