____________________________________________________ THE GOSPEL OBSERVER "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations...teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age" (Matthew 28:19,20). ____________________________________________________ September 24, 2000 ____________________________________________________ The Reality of Conflict by Andy Diestelkamp We do not live in a world of peace. Recent conflicts around the world, shooting sprees throughout our nation, and even murders in our hometowns remind us that we live in a world of sin and that with sin comes conflict. On a long-term basis, this is unavoidable. Yes, often conflict is the result of two or more selfish and evil entities battling one another, but sometimes even those who desire peace find themselves having to enter the fray to defend themselves or those worthy of help. We may consider ``peace-keeping forces'' an oxymoron, but keeping the peace often involves the ability and will to fight. This is no less true in the spiritual realm. The scriptures have much to say about peace, all of which must be balanced with what they say about the reality of conflict. It is not wrong to long for peace, but to do so unrealistically only gives aid and comfort to those who would take advantage of our unwillingness to fight. The ecumenical movement so predominant in our culture scorns conflict, but, in so doing, creates only an artificial peace and gives evil the opportunity to get a foothold. Martin Luther once said, ``When Christians are not doing battle with the devil . . . that is not a good sign. . . . Therefore, whoever desires to see the Christian Church existing in quiet peace, entirely without crosses, without heresy, and without factions, will never see it thus, or else he must view the false church of the devil as the real church'' (The Three Symbols or Creeds of the Christian Church, 1538). Peace, we want. But any peace movement that gives evil a respite is ill-conceived. The spiritual battle is real and there can be no compromise with evil. Thus, in reality, there will be no lasting peace in a world of sin. In speaking to His apostles just before his arrest, Jesus said, ``These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace''; but then He warned them, ``In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world'' (Jn. 16:33). The peace offered by Jesus is that which is found in Him and reconciles us to our Creator (Eph. 2:14-17). Notice, however, that it was through the conflict, violence and blood of the cross that peace was achieved. The world will call for peace and, perhaps, even declare it, but it is not the peace of scripture. Jeremiah spoke of the religious leaders of his day who would declare, ``Peace, peace!'' when there was no peace. They were a people without moral shame who had forgotten how to blush (Jer. 6:14,15). I dare say that we are in a similar situation today. There are those who preach visions of their own hearts instead of the will of God and declare peace for those who despise God's ways (Jer. 23:16,17). To declare peace when there really isn't any is a superficial attempt to make people feel better when they should be repenting. Instead, we have a multitude of clergy who haven't the moral conviction to preach the truth that calls for genuine repentance and submission. Part of the reason for this is that we have a culture that can't stand to be told that its attitudes and behaviors are wrong. The apostle Paul warned that the time would come when professing Christians would not ``endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables'' (2 Tim. 4:3,4). The call for peace by some on spiritual issues is an attempt to neutralize conflict and controversy. In large part it has worked, and we have reared a generation untaught in the ways of God and unable and unwilling to take a stand against evil. Jesus said, ``Do not think that I came to bring peace on earth. I did not come to bring peace but a sword.'' Consider His practical application as He said, ``A man's foes will be those of his own household'' (Matt. 10:34-36). Jesus did not seek to negotiate peace with evil. He sought to defeat it, and did. On whose side do you want to be? Jesus said, ``If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, take up his cross, and follow Me'' (Matt. 16:24). He didn't say, ``Let him deny his cross and look out for himself.'' Being a disciple of Jesus means being willing to make sacrifices and face conflicts. Peter warned that there would be false prophets who would secretly bring in destructive heresies (2 Pet. 2:1-9). The reality is that there will always be those who will oppose what is good. One way to do that is to deceive people into believing that they're getting peace when they're getting poison. Certainly the presence of conflict can be disturbing and sobering, but that is better than allowing evil to rule at will. ``Whoever therefore wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God'' (Jas. 4:4). Conflict is unavoidable! Either you are with God or you're against Him. If you're with Him, then you'll have conflict with the world. If you side with the world, then you have conflict with God. ``God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble. Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you'' (Jas. 4:6,7). Do not allow the presence of conflict to discourage you. Instead, ``take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day'' (Eph. 6:13). Be encouraged knowing, ``If God is for us, who can be against us?'' (Rom. 8:31). -- Via Think on These Things, July-August-September, 1999 ___________________________________________ Necessary Inference by Robert F. Turner We do not know who first used the expression ``necessary inference'' but its equivalent can be found in works of Aristotle and other Greek teachers for it is simply a part of the reasoning process. When evidence is collected and we draw a conclusion, the conclusion is our inference. It is ``necessary'' to the extent the evidence demands it. There is a colloquial use of ``inference'' i.e., ``surmise, guess, hint, etc.'' but this is not its use in legitimate discussion of reasoning and Bible authority. I would charitably assume that any gospel preacher knows that God made His will known to man by sending His Holy Spirit to chosen messengers, to guide them in speaking and writing what He wanted us to know. It seems uncharitable to have to say that this inspired message is understandable, for God's process of imparting information is thwarted if it is not. But how does man understand the Bible? Exactly as he understands any other written message. He must be able to read -- to translate words into mental images. He accumulates information, contemplates, reasons and draws conclusions. These conclusions are ``inferred'' in the strict and logical meaning of the term. The inspired history written by Luke records that Peter commanded some people in Jerusalem to ``repent and be baptized.'' This is related to God's promise to those ``afar off.'' We have sufficient evidence to conclude that this was a portion of the message Christ wanted proclaimed to ``every creature'' so we ``necessarily infer'' that we also must repent and be baptized. Our understanding is the result of a process of human reasoning upon the word of God. That reasoning can be true and productive of good (2TI. 2:15; EPH. 3:4) or it can be faulty and productive of bad (2PE. 3:16); depending upon the attitude and purpose one has in approaching God's word (JOH. 7:17). We may ``infer'' without sufficient evidence -- and that is why ``necessary'' is prefixed to ``inference'' when discussing Bible interpretation. We are individually responsible before God for our use of His message. But the miracle of revelation was in the giving and confirming, not in the process of reception. God made the man, for whom He made the word. Is a ``necessary inference'' binding upon the conscience? Yes! When careful study of God's word impresses you with an inescapable conclusion, however conveyed, you must receive it or be untrue to yourself and to God. -- via Plain Talk, August 1975 ___________________________________________ Rebellion is as Witchcraft by Jim R. Everett Even young children know the story about Saul and the destruction of the Amalekites (1 Samuel 15:1-23). The interplay between Samuel and Saul after the battle is amusing but also very sad. It is amusing in that it depicts the childish rationalization by Saul of his conduct in sparing King Agag and the best animals. Strangely enough, many sympathize with Saul and say that God was too strict, because Saul's intentions were noble. It is sad because a man who appeared to be so great and have such great potential for leadership at first, came to be a petty, jealous little king at the end -- humility was replaced by arrogance and hate. Samuel said Saul was rebellious and, obviously, God takes rebellion seriously. At first glance it may be difficult for us to appreciate the significance of Samuel's statement in v. 23, that rebellion and stubbornness, are equivalent to witchcraft and idolatry. The two pairs are duplicated for the purpose of stress --rebellion and stubbornness convey the same kind of attitude toward God's word, while witchcraft (soothsaying) and idolatry both depict an allegiance to another power than God. But why? Why is rebellion as the sin of witchcraft and stubbornness as idolatry and teraphim? The answer is simple -- all conscious disobedience to God's will is actually idolatry, because it makes self will a human god. All evident opposition to God's commandments is, like idolatry, a rejection of the true God. God did not request sacrifices of Saul -- He instructed Saul to destroy utterly the Amalekites. Samuel's reply to Saul's rebellious attitude and self justification was, ``Behold to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams'' (1 Samuel 15:22). And all our attempts to give God something other than obedience is likewise viewed by God as rebellion and witchcraft -- we make our own will our god. ___________________________________________ Brief Exhortation #460 [Being ``in tune'' with God] by David J. Riggs ``Restore to me the joy of Your salvation, and uphold me by Your generous Spirit'' (Psalm 51:12). Ted Malone, whose radio show came on early in the morning, told of the Idaho shepherd who wrote: ``Will you, on your broadcast, strike the note `A'? I'm a sheepherder way out here on a ranch, far away from a piano. The only comfort I have is my old violin. It's all out of tune. Would you strike `A' so that I might get in tune?'' Malone honored the request. Later he received a ``thank you'' note from the distant shepherd saying, ``Now I'm in tune.'' One of the most tragic situations in life is when a Christian, through his unfaithfulness, becomes ``out of tune'' with the Great Shepherd. Through repentance and prayer, we can be restored to our former relationship and be ``in tune'' once again. Thanks be to God for His grace and mercy. ________________________________________ Avondale CHURCH OF CHRIST P.O. Box 421 1606 Glen Willow Rd., Avondale, PA 19311 (610) 268-2088 Sunday: 10:00 A.M. Bible class 11:00 A.M. Worship 6:00 P.M. Worship Wednesday: 7:00 P.M. Bible study evangelist/editor: Tom Edwards (610) 925-3567 e-mail: tedwards@onemain.com web site: http://www.mypage.onemain.com/tedwards/avondale ________________________________________