Matthew 19 records an instance when a group of Pharisees came to Jesus to test Him. They did this on many occasions. This particular time, they asked Him about divorce: “Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife for any reason at all?” (Matthew 19:3). Some believed that a man could put away his wife for just any reason. Others believed the only lawful cause for divorce was adultery. They wanted to see which side of the controversy Jesus would take. Incidentally, we see from Jesus’ response in the following verses that when controversy arises, we need to side with the truth, not a particular party or sect. Therefore, we must look at each issue objectively, determining what God’s word teaches before choosing sides.
March 1, 2006
Spiritual Warfare
At various times throughout the New Testament, our duty as Christians is compared to that of a soldier in battle. The Ephesians were told to “put on the full armor of God” (Ephesians 6:11). The evangelist Timothy was told to “fight the good fight of faith” (1 Timothy 6:12) and “suffer hardship…as a good soldier of Christ Jesus” (2 Timothy 2:3). Later, Paul said he had “fought the good fight” (2 Timothy 4:7). As Christians, we are involved in this conflict here on earth.
This is a theme that is continuously emphasized in the New Testament. Another passage that speaks of this is found in Paul’s second letter to Corinth:
“For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh, for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but divinely powerful for the destruction of fortresses. We are destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ” (2 Corinthians 10:3-5).
For this article, we will focus on what this passage teaches us about the war in which we are engaged.
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March 1, 2006
Tradition in Worship
Many of the things we do in worship are a matter of tradition. Some may be surprised by that admission. They read of “traditions” being condemned in the Bible and think that all traditions must be wrong. But the fact is, not all traditions are condemned by God in His word. In fact, some are even required.
There are basically three types of traditions. We will notice each to help us see what sort of traditions are right and which are wrong.
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March 1, 2006
Restoration Principles
A movement began a couple hundred years ago in this country to try to restore New Testament Christianity. In this period, men discarded the creeds and churches of men to return to the pattern found in the New Testament. In 2 Kings 22, a similar restoration began. The goal was to return to the pattern found in the Law of Moses. The principles in this chapter show how faithful service to God can be restored and maintained. These principles were held by those who worked to restore New Testament Christianity in this country. The same principles can help us today to restore and maintain faithful service to God. Let us examine some lessons from the restoration of King Josiah’s day.
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February 23, 2006
And So “They Watched Him”
[Article written by Matt Nevins. Originally published in his email newsletter “The Lamp.”]
The Scriptures expressly states that “God is light and in Him is no darkness at all” (1 Jn. 1:5). The direct comparison between God and light is used to characterize God’s nature in practicing truth. Therefore those who want to have fellowship, or share in common, with God must also acquire this quality (1 Jn. 1:6-7). When people choose to practice truth and righteousness, people will fulfill the purpose of life-fear God and keep His commandments (Eccl. 12:13). In other words we were created for good works to glorify God (Eph. 2:10, Mt. 5:16, Tit. 2:14). Practicing truth like light has no need to be hidden, but can expose the evil deeds that are both openly and secretly practiced.
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February 1, 2006
Words of Wisdom About the Use of Alcohol
The consumption of alcohol is widespread in our culture. Those who drink alcohol come from every station of life. Regardless of race, gender, wealth, profession, or region, the use of alcohol is a problem. Peter, when he mentioned sins that were common among those in the world, listed three that had to do with the consumption of alcohol – “drunkenness, carousing, drinking parties” (1 Peter 4:3). Peter expected that those in the world would be “surprised that you [Christians] do not run with them into the same excesses of dissipation” (1 Peter 4:4). There would be a striking contrast between Christians and non-Christians in that the Christians did not engage in these sinful practices. And yet, many Christians today engage in the practice of drinking alcohol. Others, although they do not drink, see nothing wrong with it and defend the practice.
While men use what seems to be wise reasoning to defend the consumption of alcohol, we need to remember that even “the foolishness of God is wiser than men” (1 Corinthians 1:25). So for this article, let us consider some words of wisdom from Solomon in the inspired word of God about the use of alcohol (Proverbs 23:29-35).
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February 1, 2006
A Covenant with My Eyes
The book of Job begins with Job losing his wealth and family as a result of Satan testing this righteous man. This man is described as one who was “blameless, upright, fearing God and turning away from evil” (Job 1:1). Despite his righteousness, God allowed this suffering. The majority of the book contains discussions between Job and his three friends as to why all of this was happening. The three friends reasoned that Job’s sufferings were the result of God punishing him for sin. But over and over, Job maintained his righteousness. Notice one statement in particular that Job made to defend his innocence:
“I have made a covenant with my eyes; why then should I look upon a young woman?” (Job 31:1).
What did Job mean by this statement? Was he saying that he had made up his mind that he would not look at a woman for any reason at all? Of course not. What he was saying was that he would not look at a woman with lust for her in his heart. The New International Version actually translates the verse this way: “I made a covenant with my eyes not to look lustfully at a young woman.”
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