From the Pen of Paul. . .

Salvation

Salvation is an important theme throughout the Word of God. Paul told Timothy, "For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth" (I Tim. 2:3-4). It is certainly not God's desire that any of His creation perish. Peter informs us that "The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance" (II Pet. 3:9). The reason that God desires that all men come to repentance is because, "Except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish" (Luke 13:3).

Who will be saved? Jesus, in Matthew 7:13-14, indicates that the majority of folks will never find the way of salvation. He said, "Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be that go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it." This is contrary to the popular view that everybody will ultimately go to Heaven. This is observable when some well-known person dies that has lived a most immoral lifestyle, and the newscasters and their friends and family speak of them being "up there" looking down. How do we reconcile the fact that God's will is that all men be saved with the fact that Jesus taught that only a few would find the right way that leads unto life?

Provision has been made for all. "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life" (John 3:16). "But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that He by the grace of God should taste of death for every man" (Heb. 2:9). And John declared of Christ, "He is the propitiation for our sins: and not for our sins only, but also for the sins of the whole world" (I John 2:2). It seems clear, from these Scriptures, that provision for salvation has been made for all, not just an elect few, but all!

The invitation has been extended unto all. Jesus said, "Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest" (Matt. 11:28). And, near the end of inspiration, John wrote, "And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely" (Rev. 22:17). Clearly John's reference here to the "water of life" refers to salvation; and he says that whosoever will may take that water of life freely. The invitation truly has been extended to all.

The Gospel is applicable to all. In giving His apostles their mission, He said, "Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost" (Matt. 28:19). Mark records the commission in these words: "Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature" (Mark 16:15). And thus, the Gospel, which God chose to save them that believe (I Cor. 1:21) is declared to be "the power of God unto salvation, to every one that believeth" (Rom. 1:16).

Provision for salvation from sin has been made for all; the invitation to accept this gracious offer has been extended to all; and, the Gospel has been made applicable and available for all. Thus, if man is lost, it is not by God's will, but by the refusal of man to bring his will into line with the will of God. Jesus told the Jews of His day, "Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me. And ye will not come to me, that ye might have life" (John 5:39-40). They were rejecting the very thing which the Scriptures testified would bring them the life which they incorrectly assumed that they had.

Summing it all up: God's will is that all be saved. He has made provision to accomplish that will by giving His Son to die in our place; the invitation has gone out to all and the Gospel is for all. But, God also gave man a mind by which he can reason and make decisions. If we do not avail ourselves of the sacrifice by obeying God's commandments, that are given as a necessity to receiving the benefits of that sacrifice, we will be lost. And that is due to our will, not the Father's. Study carefully, think seriously, and respond properly to God's gracious gift; and Heaven will be your home!
—Paul M. Wilmoth

From the Preacher's Viewpoint. . .

Unfaithfulness in the Home

"Why is there so much unfaithfulness in the home? It seems that stepping out and marrying three or four times is not wrong anymore."

There are several reasons why the husband and/or wife are unfaithful to each other. Let me give you some reasons why such exists in some homes.

The rapid movement of the world in which we live contributes to unfaithfulness in the home. Husbands and wives are so busy they do not have time for each other. When they are together, they are so worn out they do not feel like visiting and enjoying each other. It is run here or go there, do this or do that all the time. If we ran a piece of machinery like this, it would soon break down. If we run our homes like this, they also will break down. My, how times have changed! Husbands and wives used to be together for much of the time. They had time to grow in love and devotion for each other. That time has gone, at least for most couples.

Women working outside the home is another factor in infidelity in the home. Many women see more of the men with whom they work than they do of their husbands. Of course, these men visit with these ladies more than they do their wives. I am certainly not suggesting that every woman that works outside the home is unfaithful as a wife, nor am I suggesting that all men who work with women are unfaithful as husbands. I am merely suggesting that one contributing factor to the break down of the home is that of women working outside the home. If you will check, you will find that when women left the home for the factories and other employment is when the decay of the home had its beginning on a large-scale basis. I realize that it is often necessary for women to work outside the home; that men often do not make enough money to get by. I am not in any way condemning this. But some married women work in secular jobs because they like it better than they do homemaking. Some say their children run them crazy, while others say they want to be independent. The Bible teaches that if a woman can stay in the home she should (Titus 2:3-5).

One of the greatest influences in the world is that of television. It can be for the good or for the bad. I am afraid in most cases it is for the bad. Almost every movie and soap opera has sex scenes in them. The husband steps out on the wife, and the wife steps out on the husband. These movies and soap operas make the good man the bad man. He is often in the way of two people "madly in love" and keeps them from being together. These skits are so pitched that we wish he would get killed or that something would happen so that this couple can get married. Of course, the only catch to it is that this woman happens to be his wife. We cannot view these things without being influenced. They have a tendency to deaden our conscience to some degree. So, we have reached a place in our society to where fornication, adultery, remarriage, and the like are not nearly as bad as they used to be. America is sin sick and doesn't know it!

Americans generally go easy on themselves and others who are involved in intended sin and wrongdoing. My heart goes out to people who have fallen prey to their weaknesses and imperfections. But it disturbs me greatly when men and women will not try to do better. So many people have forgotten God and His Word. They do not care what He has to say about divorce and remarriage; about fornication and adultery. But, there is a payday some day. Stepping out, divorce and remarriage is not popular with God. It never has been, nor ever will be. Some men may have their women and some women have their men sexually, but they often have their hell in this life, not to speak of the one to come after death. Marriage is for keeps in God's sight, and purity He demands!
—Malcolm L. Hill