The Proclaimer

PROCLAIMING THE GOSPEL OF CHRIST TO A LOST AND DYING WORLD

Edited and Published by Jack Critchfield

In This Issue:
What We Need Is less Love
A Certified Gospel
The Problem Of Riches
The Last Curtain Falls
Love Your Enemies

What We Need Is Less Love!
Tommy Glendol McClure

If you ask anyone who is the least bit religious the ques-tion: what is the one thing that is needed most in the world, the Lord's church, among brethren, in families, and in our society today in general?; most would likely reply that we need more love. In general, I would agree, but I will qua1ify my answer and say that we need more of the Godly sort of love that is taught in the Bible.

The purpose of this article is to call your attention the fact that we need less love! And the need of less love is taught in the Bible! There is just too much love for some things in the lives of people in the world and especially Christians.

The apostle John wrote, "Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God. He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love. In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him. Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another" (1 John 4:7-11).

In contrast to the passage just cited, Paul wrote in 2 Timothy 3:1-5, "But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away!" (NKJV)

In this passage, the apostle mentions those who were "lov-ers of their own selves" and "lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God." Notice that Paul said these had love! But, is this love the kind approved by God? With these opening thoughts in mind let us consider together just how it is that we need less love.

First, we need LESS LOVE FOR SELF! When people, especially brethren, think of themselves more than highly they ought, trouble lies ahead as sure as you and I live. In Romans 12:3, Paul wrote, "For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith."

A great deal of harmony and unity could be restored and maintained in families, the church and the world in general, if all would esteem others better than themselves, as Paul directed the Philippians to do in Philippians 2:3-4 saying, "Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others."

Today, you hear a lot about "self-esteem," "felt needs," and building up egos. Many want their egos stroked when really they need a big dose of self-denial that the Lord taught in Luke 9:23, where He said, "If any man will come after me, let him deny himself; and take up his cross, and follow me." When you read the Bible you will find self-denial taught, not ego inflating, "self-esteem" and "felt-need" teaching and preaching!

Second, we need LESS LOVE FOR THE PLEASURES OF THE WORLD! Some pleasures can be very deceiving. We live in a time of prosperity, having and enjoying many conveniences - nice homes, nice cars, nice clothes, etc! The world is at our fingertips - there's the internet, computers, cell phones, fax machines, pagers, and all manner of automatic appliances for this and electronic gadgets for that. Truly, we live in a fast paced, push-button technological pleasure mad age!

God's book warns of the dangers of pleasure. The teaching of Christ in the parable of the sower in Luke 8 is a lesson all need to heed. In verse 14 Jesus said, "And that which fell among thorns are they, which, when they have heard, go forth, and are choked with cares and riches and pleasures of this life, and bring no fruit to perfection." It is not uncommon for brethren to be overcome and overburdened with various pleasures and be unconscious of the spiritual danger. All to often, more time is spent attending to jobs, responsibilities, homes, recreation, and various material matters while spiritual needs are completely ignored. As a result, the love of many has waxed cold and their faith has become shipwrecked due to the cares and pleasures of this life (Matt. 24:12; 1 Tim 1:19).

Many congregations suffer from slack or lax attendance by it's members because of their desire for pleasure. Forsaking the assembling of the saints is common with some (Heb. 10:25). One is considered overbearing and narrow minded who suggests that pleasure trips be avoided if arrangements cannot be made to assemble with faithful saints on the Lord's day and mid-week Bible study. Such an attitude is the fruit of this sort of love.

Third, we need LESS LOVE FOR MATERIAL WEALTH! The apostle Paul taught Timothy the truth about money. Paul said, "For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows" (1 Tim. 6:10-11). At the root source of all evil, is the love of money. Murder, illegal drugs, alcoholism, pornography, gambling (including state lotteries), the love of money is the driving force behind all of these sins.

While money is good and needed for the necessities of life, when properly used, money can bring about much and everlasting good. After all, the Corinthian brethren were commanded in 1 Corinthians 16:1 and 2, to lay by in store on the first day of the week, and that involved giving money! The love of money is the problem, especially with some who wear the name Christian. Some brethren have trouble finding any time or money to give to the Lord's work because they are too busy selfishly laying up treasures for themselves. Jesus commanded, "Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also" (Matt. 6:19-21).

Fourth, we need LESS LOVE FOR THE WAGES OF UNRIGHTEOUSNESS! All unrighteousness is sin (1 in. 5:17). Sin is transgression of the law of God (1 in. 3:4). Sin is universal, in that all have sinned (Rom. 3:23; 5:12). Even though there is pleasure in sin, the pleasure of sin is only for a "season" or short time (Heb. 11:25); but, the ultimate wages of sin is eternal spiritual death and possibly physical death (Rom. 6:23). Many enjoy these wages to their own eternal destruction!

In the Bible, "... the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness" (Rom. 1:18). In this chapter, Paul clearly taught about unrighteousness from a moral stand point, saying in verse 29, that some are "filled with all unrighteousness"; and in verse 32 he said, "Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them." Paul also wrote, "Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as in-struments of righteousness unto God." Paul also taught against unrighteousness from a doctrinal standpoint saying, "Brethren, my heart's desire and prayer to God for Israelis that they may be saved. For I bear them witness that they have a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge. For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and seeking to establish their own right-eousness, have not submitted to the righteousness of God" (Rom. 10:1-3).

Sadly, false teachers and some so-called "gospel preachers" receive wages of unrighteousness while teaching false doctrine and perverting the truth of the Gospel. Paul commanded such men to me marked and avoided, "For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple" (Rom. 16:17, 18).

Finally, we need LESS LOVE FOR THE PRAISE OF MEN! This was a problem with many during Jesus' personal ministry (Jn. 12:42, 43). The love for the praises of men more than the praise of God is so prevalent today. Many religious leaders and some gospel preachers desire to be politically cor-rect and fail to teach with boldness and plainness the truths of God's word that all sinners need to hear, because they desire to be popular and love the praise of men!

Men who desired this sort of love were condemned by Jude in Jude 16. Jesus said, "Woe unto you, when all men shall speak well of you! for so did their fathers to the false prophets" (Lk. 6:26). Paul exhorted in 1 Corinthians 6:4, "...that ye might learn in us not to think of men above that which is written, that no one of you be puffed up for one against another." Of the corrupt prophets of Isaiah's day, he wrote, "Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter! Woe unto them that are wise in their own eyes, and prudent in their own sight! Woe unto them that are mighty to drink wine, and men of strength to mingle strong drink: Which justify the wicked for reward, and take away the righteousness of the righteous from him! (Isa. 5:20-23).

With many, righteousness has given way to political correctness and the desire to be popular and pleasing to men. Some gospel preachers who once stood boldly and firmly in God's truths have drifted into compromise on important moral and doctrinal questions and no longer "declare all the counsel of God." Is it any wonder why unfaithfulness, spiritual softness, and religious division are so prevalent in the Lord's church today?

In conclusion, we have seen that we need less love for self the pleasures of this world, material wealth, the wages of unrighteousness and the praise of men! But, what we need more of is love for God's truths found in the Bible. Dear reader, where is your love focused, on things we need less love for or on the truths of God's word that all need more love of? Which?

Via Railroad Ave bulletin, November, 2000

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Put your finger on a promise that God has made to man that He hasn't kept, and then we will talk about not believing Him.

D. L. Moody

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A Certified Gospel
Foster L. Ramsey

"But I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached by me is not after men." - Gal. 1:11

A certified gospel is simply a guaranteed gospel. Paul guaranteed the Galatians that the gospel which he preached did not originate with man, but originated with God and was revealed to him by revelation of Jesus Christ. Men are always careful to obtain only those products that are guarranteed to come up to a certain standard; but it is different with the gospel, with religious teachings. They are apt to accept just about anything, whether it has a guarantee or not when they consider religion.

In only one place can we find a certified gospel today. That isa in the pages of inspired Scripture, the teachings of the New Testament. When Paul preached, he proved the gospel to be from God by the miracles that God did through him. Today, however, it is not necessary that miracles occur for the listener to recognize the certified gospel, he has only to go to the teachings of the New Testament and prove the preaching he hears by what is found in the Bible, then it is guaranteed to be true. If it is not found in the Bible then it is not the certified gospel, and should be rejected.

Via The Preceptor, September, 2000

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"This is love, that we walk according to His commandments. This is the commandment, that as you have heard from the beginning, you should walk in it."

2 John 6

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The Problem of Riches
Jack Critchfield

The love of money has ruined many people through the years. Solomon said that having wealth was "vanity and grasping for the wind" (Eccl 2:9-11). Balaam could have been a valiant servant of God had it not been for the allure of promised gold and silver (Num. 22:18). Jude 11 warns us of some who "have run greedily in the error of Balaam for profit." It is interesting to note that the earliest recorded sins in the church of our Lord had to do with money (Acts 5:1-11; 8:20-22). The wise man warned about misplaced priorities when he wrote, "Riches do not profit in the day of wrath, But righteousness delivers from death" (Prov. 11:4). One of the Lord' most impressive statements reminds us constantly, "For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?" (Mark 8:36-37).

Secularism is the shallow emphasis of allow the glamour and glitter of mundane overwhelm their daily decisions. The apostle informs us of the destiny of this world, and everything in it: "…the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat; both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up. Therefore, since all these things will be dissolved, what manner of persons ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness," (2 Pet. 3:10-11).

A millionaire, who constantly struggles for more and more, can be devastated when the stock markets crash or world trade leaves him in dire straits. Conversely, faithful Christians, with small amounts of cash, find joy in living for Jesus and sharing with others whatever they do have. In the life and teaching of Jesus we learn valuable lessons from the rich young ruler of Mark 10, and the wealthy man of Luke 16 who did not want his brothers to go to torment as he did. Faring sumptuously in this world does not guarantee happiness in eternity!

The church in Laodicea was wealthy temporarily, but God saw their everlasting condition of poverty and nakedness (Rev. 3). Smyrna was in poverty by earthly standards, but was rich in heaven's evaluation, and that is what counts (Rev. 2). Peace of mind always outweighs money that can never purchase lasting joy. Moses made an exceedingly wise choice when he "esteemed the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt; for he looked to the reward" (Heb. 11:26).

Sadly, many today allow the "cares, riches and pleasures of life" and the "pride of life" to choke out the precious word of God (Luke 8:14; 1 John 2:16). Laying up treasures on earth is a very popular pastime for many (Matt. 6:19-21), but it will surely come to naught. God will supply all our needs, if not all our "wants" (Phil. 4:19). The simple and unadorned sojourn of faithful saints grants more peace, by far, than the restless pursuit of carnal things.
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No man will ever put on the robes of Christ's righteousness until he is stripped of his fig leaves, nor will he wash in the fount of mercy until he perceives his filthiness. Therefore, we must not cease to declare the Law, its demands, its threat-enings, and the sinner's multiplied breaches of it.

Charles Spurgeon, The Fountain

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The Last Curtain Falls
Jack Critchfield

When the last curtain falls, and we stand with the redeemed in the land of fadeless day, we shall know the bliss of redemption and the reward of righteousness made possible by the blood-stained banner of Jesus Christ. When the Prince of Peace shall have conquered all foes, and the last enemy - death - is put under His feet, that supernal realm will welcome home all the faithful warriors who properly "fought the good fight" (1 Tim. 61.2).

Our struggle is not in physical combat (2 Cor. 10:3-5), but is against "spiritual hosts of wickedness in heavenly places" (Eph. 6:12). The truth of the gospel is not promulgated by force, but exalted through godly living (Phil. 2:15-16). Out of the vast riches of the treasure house of the book of Revelation, we hear the thundering sound of Rom. 8:37, "We are more than conquerors through him who loved us."

This world is not our home. It is not the final word. We, as the faithful of old, look for better things, for eternal joys that never fade. "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you," (1 Pet. 1:3-4). Out of the sorrow and loneliness early Christians endured, a brighter horizon loomed.

Revelation is a book rich in hope and promise and eager anticipation. For Christians in any age and every day, this last book of the Bible cries aloud, "God's tomorrow will be brighter than today." The abiding glory of this section of Scripture is the joyous fact that Jehovah God is, through all the years and tears, a solid Rock of comfort and refuge for all those who dili-gently seek righteousness (Heb. 11:6; Psa. 94:22). The entire book of Revelation underscores these grand and eloquent conclusions. Children of the heavenly Father, regardless of exter-nal circumstances, can draw near to the portals of glory.

When our absolute trust is solidly imbedded in the promises of the Lord, even adversity can be a blessing, because we are drawn nearer and dearer to the One who rules and controls our destiny. In one of the most familiar funeral hymns are these memorable words:

Somewhere the sun is shining,

Somewhere the songbirds dwell;

Hush, then, thy sad repining,

God lives, and all is well.

The challenges attached to the heavenly route costs more than countless of earth are willing to pay. Having counted the cost of obedience to the Lord, such folk admit their spiritual bankruptcy and manifest no further effort toward the beautiful home of the soul. Devoid of spiritual depth, motivated by car-nal interest, beset by worldly associates and led by temporal emphasis, these poor misguided human beings pitch their tents toward hell and wait for the darkness of the ages.

Finally, as the last golden page of inspiration beck-ons us to its dramatic unveiling, we see the Garden of Eden and the Tree of Life restored (Rev. 22). The first real story of the Bible comes back into our view in this panoramic document known as Revelation. What man lost in Adam, we regain in Christ (1 Cor. 15:20-22). Sin drove man out of the presence of God. The obedience of faith in Christ brings us back into His sublime presence (Rom. 6:17; Rev. 22:14). And, "Whoever desires, let him come" (Rev. 22:17). The tree of the cross of Cal-vary (1 Pet. 2:24) becomes our hope to partake of the Tree of Life forever (Rev. 22:1-5).

The Bible closes with the promise of Christ's return (Rev. 22:20). May we so live that when the precious occasion comes, we may "meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord" (1 Thess. 4:17). The words of 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18, should be words of comfort and joy to every Christian.
The book of Revelation comforted persecuted Chris-tians in the first century, and it still challenges us today. Let us read and study it with great profit. In times like these, we need such a solid anchor!
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"Behold, happy is the man whom God corrects; Therefore do not despise the chastening of the Almighty."

Job 5:17

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Love Your Enemies
Clarence Johnson

"But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven... Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect" (Matt. 5:44-48).

Most folks find this passage puzzling and perplexing. How can I love someone who hates me and mistreats me? And how could I possibly think to be perfect as God is perfect? Does Jesus require the impossible?

As we begin to seek the solution to our dilemma, we cer-tainly aren't going to claim that what Jesus commanded will always be easy. It's not easy to love those who hate us, to pray for those who abuse us, etc. But we can do what Jesus has asked of us, when His commands are properly understood.

AGAPE. There are two different Greek words commonly translated "love" in our English versions, AGAPE and PHILEO. PHILEO describes a love that involves the emotions, a close affinity, a warm, friendly relationship. A form of that word has passed into English in such words as philosophy (the love of wisdom), philharmonic (the love of harmony), etc. This is NOT the word Jesus used to command that we love our enemies. The word used in our text is AGAPE, a word that describes a determination of the mind to seek what is good for the person who is the recipient of that love. Emotionally, we may not like that person, but we have set our minds upon seeking what is good for him, even though he may be seeking to harm us. We serve a God who seeks the eternal welfare of those who have sinned against Him, and as we take upon ourselves His nature, we too will learn to seek the good of our enemies.

WHY? Why are we expected to love, that is, seek the good of those who are seeking our harm? Jesus says, "[In order] that you may be sons of your Father in heaven." The statement brings to mind the proverbial expression, "like father, like son." Sonship by character and association is a common figure of speech in the Bible. In that sense, Abraham is the father of the faithful, whether or not they are physically descended from him, Rom. 4:16. When certain Pharisees falsely accused Jesus and sought to murder Him, He said to them, "You are of your father the devil, and the desires of your father you want to do... He is a liar and the father of it" (John 8:44). Of course, they were not literally, physically descended from Satan. They were his "sons" by being like him. If we are to be sons of God, we must become God-like.

HOW? How can we accomplish this great goal? Jesus explained, "Bless [speak well of] those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you." We may say, "But I can't like a man who curses me; I can't like a man who abuses and persecutes me." Jesus didn't tell you to like him. Jesus said love him; seek what is good for your enemy. Do good things for him. This, you CAN, and must do. When he curses you, say something nice about him. When he behaves hatefully toward you, do something kind for him. When he abuses and persecutes you, pray for him. It may take a while to enjoy behaving this way -- but you grow into it. And in doing so, you grow to be more like God.

A side benefit of such behavior is that often in response to our kindness and prayers, enemies are transformed into friends. They may even be led to Christ by our behavior. Abraham Lincoln is said to have remarked that the best way to destroy an enemy is to gain him as a friend.

PERFECT? But, in what sense can we be perfect as God is perfect? Again, it will help to realize that the Greek word does not denote sinless perfection. Sure, God is sinless--but that is not what this verse is describing. The word "perfect" might be better understood if it had been translated "complete." God is complete in His love, excluding no one from it. We, in the process of becoming like Him, must learn not to omit anyone from our love. "And therefore you shall be perfect [complete] just as your Father in heaven is" -- complete in the matter of love.
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As we draw this year to a close, may we examine ourselves and honestly acknowledge our shortcomings in our service to God. Let us resolve that in the coming year we will spend more time with the word of God that we might become closer to the likeness of Christ.

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Jack Critchfield, Editor & Publisher
403 Coit Way, Salinas, Ca. 93907
critch1@juno.com