The Bulletin
of the
Church of Christ at
New Georgia
Tim Johnson, editor
April 12, 2009
In
This Issue:
Of
Politics and Preaching
by
Greg Gwin
What
is Your Attitude Toward Truth?
by
Carrol R. Sutton
Of Politics and Preaching
We hear it constantly in the news. Let one political candidate offer a single criticism of his opponent's position and the cry goes up, "Negative campaigning!" It has gotten to the point that no substantive discussion of political differences can be undertaken without someone making this objection.
In reality, such discussions are absolutely essential if we are to make a reasonable choice between those running for public office. Obviously, the candidate himself will not discuss his questionable past performance, or his unpopular views on critical issues. If his opponent is not allowed to bring those things up, how can we know? How can we make the right choice?
Please make application of this same principle to the work of preaching the gospel. There are some who are constantly fuming about what they call "negative preaching." Typically, this means that they oppose any teaching that specifies sin in people's lives; anything that says, "You're wrong, you need to do better."
But, think for a moment. If those who teach and preach never deal with such subjects, how will people be informed and motivated to make needed changes in their lives? Can't you see the vital need for "negative preaching?" Paul's first letter to the Corinthians was a 'scorcher!' That church was full of problems, and Paul hit every one of them. It wasn't pleasant, but it had to be done. As a result, the people repented. And Paul wrote: "For though I made you sorry with a letter, I do not repent . . . for I perceive that the same epistle hath made you sorry, though it were but for a season. Now I rejoice, not that ye were made sorry, but that ye sorrowed to repentance: for ye were made sorry after a godly manner. . ." (2 Corinthians 7:8, 9).
We need the truth - even when it exposes and rebukes our sins. Let's demand it always!
-- Greg Gwin
Since truth is absolutely essential to our genuine happiness in this life and to eternal life in the world to come, we should examine our hearts and be sure that we have the proper attitude toward the truth.
In view of the value of truth, we should DESIRE it. The apostle Peter says, "Wherefore laying aside all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speakings, As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby'' (1 Peter 2:1-2). A long time ago while Paul and Barnabas were at Paphos, Sergius Paulus, a prudent man, called for them, "and desired to hear the word of God" (Acts 13:7). It is imperative that we hear because "faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God" (Romans 10:17). Jesus said: "He that hath ears to hear, let him hear" (Mark 4:9). He also said: "Take heed what ye hear . . ." and "Take heed therefore how ye hear . . ." (See Mark 4:24 and Luke 8:18).
We should also BELIEVE the truth. The truth will save us only if we believe it because "it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe" (1 Cor. 1:21). Jesus said: ''. . . He that believeth not shall be damned" (Mark 16:16).
Not only should we DESIRE, HEAR and BELIEVE THE TRUTH, but we must be willing to RECEIVE the truth. James tells us to "lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and RECEIVE WITH MEEKNESS the engrafted word, which is able to save" our souls James 2:21). Meekness in receiving the truth is necessary. We should also be "noble" as the Bereans of old were, and receive "the word with all readiness of mind," and search "the Scriptures daily" to see what is really truth (Cf. Acts 17: 11). On the day of Pentecost, they that "gladly received his word were baptized . . ." (See Acts 2:37-41).
In order to DESIRE, HEAR, BELIEVE AND RECEIVE THE TRUTH, we must have a LOVE of truth. If we receive "not the love of the truth" God may send us a strong delusion that we should believe a lie that we might be damned because we have pleasure in unrighteousness (Cf. 2 Thessalonians 2:9-12).
Do you really have a love for the truth? Do you have a sincere desire for the truth? Are you willing to know the truth? Are you willing to receive the truth? When you hear the truth, do you believe it? You should! In fact, you should "stand in awe" and "tremble at His word!" (Cf. Psa. 119:161 and Isaiah 66:5).
-- Carrol R. Sutton
Via The Instructor, Vol. 21, No. 4, April 1984