From the Pen of Paul. . .

Some Things Are "Evident" (3)

We continue to look at things which are "evident" by reading certain Scriptures. These things are "manifest," "apparent to the mind or eye," "plain," "clear", "obvious" and "unmistakable." By this we mean that they are so clearly stated and taught that there is really no way to misunderstand what is said. You may believe it or you may choose to disbelieve it; you may accept it or you may choose to not accept it. But you cannot misunderstand it. Let's look at some more of these.

In James 2:24 we read, "Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only." When one reads this verse only, some things are not clear and obvious. For instance, just by reading this verse alone and not studying the context, it is not obvious what kind of "works" James is talking about; is it "works of merit," "works of righteousness," "works of law," or "works of obedience?" However, there is one thing that is crystal clear; one thing is so plainly stated that there is no way that one can misunderstand it; and, that is that one is NOT justified by faith ONLY. I believe anyone with normal intelligence can see and understand that statement. And yet, just the opposite of what is so clearly taught here, is taught by a great many theologians today. In fact, one prominent denomination states in their "discipline" that "Faith only is a wholesome doctrine and full of comfort." Strange, isn't it? All one has to do is read this one statement of Scripture to know that there is nothing "wholesome" about the doctrine of "faith only" for justification. If you will just take time to read and study the entire discussion of James in this chapter, he explains the place of faith and works in justification. And verse 22 is especially helpful: "Seest thou how faith wrought (operated) with his works, and by works was faith made perfect."

John 9:31 is another such passage of Scripture. It reads, "Now we know that God heareth not sinners: but if any man be a worshipper of God, and doeth His will, him he heareth." It is not clear, from reading this verse alone, what is involved in worshipping God; nor is it clearly stated what it means to do the will of God. Doing the will of God would obviously require one to do whatever God commands, but what that is is not enumerated here. But there is one thing that is "obvious to the mind," "clear," "plain" and "unmistakable." It is so clearly stated that one cannot misunderstand it. That fact is that God heareth NOT sinners. How can anyone misunderstand that? Since it is so clearly taught that "we KNOW that God heareth NOT sinners", then why are sinners told by many preachers today, "Just pray the sinner's prayer." Folks have even written out a prayer for the sinner to pray. Strange indeed!

Another controversy among churches today has to do with music used in worship to God. There are a number of statements of Scripture that discusses music in New Testament worship. Let's look at one of them. In Colossians 3:16, Paul wrote, "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." Just by reading this inspired statement from the apostle, we can "clearly" see that we are authorized to "sing" these types of songs listed. Playing a musical instrument is NOT authorized. It is exceedingly interesting to read the verse following the verse under consideration. After telling the church at Colosse that they were to "sing with grace in your hearts to the Lord," Paul writes, "And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by Him" (Col. 3:17). Paul is telling us that all of our actions and all of our teaching MUST be done ONLY by the authority of Christ. He states this fact just after he had given authorization for the church at Colosse to "sing." But, he did not authorize them to "play on musical instruments" of music. Isn't it strange that, even though there is absolutely no authority for mechanical instruments of music in worship, most all churches today insist on their right to use them and they do so in direct violation of the authority of Christ?

Why do folks so blatantly disregard these clear statements? It reminds me of the serpent in the garden who said, "Ye shall not surely die" when God had "clearly and plainly" stated, "for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die" (Gen. 2:17; 3:4). Satan is still at work today denying things that are so "evident."
—Paul M. Wilmoth

From the Preacher's Viewpoint. . .

False Teachers

"Will God remain true to His word, the Bible, or will He change His mind in the day of judgment? Can He change His mind in the day of judgment?"

The Bible always presents God as the true and living God. The Bible affirms that God cannot lie (Titus 1:2). Would God be a liar if He told us one thing in the Bible, then in the day of judgment He did differently from what the Bible said?

The Bible states that it is impossible for God to lie (Heb. 6:18). God has written many things in the Bible as matters of fact. But suppose He changed these matters of fact in the day of judgment. Would he be true to His word? If it is not going to be as the Bible says, then how could we have faith in the Bible at all? If God is not going to stick to His will, the Bible, then how could we have faith in God?

The Bible says that God will not change. Please notice: "Every good gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning" (James 1:17). This passage says that God will always remain true to His word. The Bible is the Word of God and this means that God will do exactly what the Bible says. But some say that God might change His mind in the judgment and do differently from what He said in the Bible. This would mean that we cannot depend on what is said in the Bible. It is tragic for people to think along this line and especially to believe such. If we think God is not going to stick with His Word in the judgment day, then we are dead wrong.

The Bible will be the standard in the day of judgment (John 12:48; Rev. 20:11-15). God's Word will not pass away just before the judgment (Matt. 24:35). Will God save those who have refused to believe in Jesus? The Bible says He will not (John 8:21, 24). Will God save those who refuse to repent of their sins? The Bible says He will not (Acts 17:30; II Pet. 3:9). Will God save men who refuse to confess the name of Christ? The Bible says He will not (Rom. 10:9-10). Will God save those who refuse to be baptized for the forgiveness of sins? The Bible says He will not (Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38).

If we cannot believe the Bible on the above points, then how can we believe the Bible on any point? How could we believe the Bible when it tells us that there is a God? How could we believe the Bible when it tells us that Jesus Christ is the Son of God? How could we believe the Bible when it speaks of the resurrection of the dead?

Does God's mind differ from what He has written in the Bible? God agrees with what is written in His Bible. We do not have all of the mind of God in the Bible but we have all the mind of God in the Bible that we need to be saved eternally.

What we must do to be saved is found in the Bible and is the same as what God has in His mind in Heaven (Matt. 16:19). The Bible tells us of those that will be lost eternally and they are the same as what is in the mind of God. God does not think one way and write another. God does not write that something is necessary for salvation and at the same time think differently in His mind. God's contract with man is found in the Bible. If man will keep his side of the contract, then God will keep His part of the contract. If man refuses to keep his part of the plan of salvation, then God will not save him (Heb. 5:8-9; Matt. 7:21).

I have been reading a book that suggests that God might save people even though they do not keep the will of God. This is false doctrine and please do not believe this kind of thing. Has God told us about those who will be lost? He has indeed! Please read II Thessalonians 1:7-9; I Corinthians 6:9-11; Galatians 5:19-20. God tells us about those who are saved (Rom. 6:1-22). This will not change in the day of judgment.
—Malcolm L. Hill