____________________________________________________ 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). ____________________________________________________ May 30, 2004 ____________________________________________________ Contents: 1) Erring Toward the Erring (Dan S. Shipley) 2) God Hates Divorce (Bill Hall) 3) The Sin Of Adultery (Earl Fly) 4) The Road To Troas (Larry Ray Hafley) 5) "Can You Drink the Cup?" (Clarence R. Johnson) 6) News & Notes ____________________________________________________ -1- Erring Toward the Erring by Dan S. Shipley Erring brethren seem to have been a persistent problem in the Lord's church almost from its beginning. And, if that were not bad enough, the problem has been compounded by the way in which many have erred toward these erring brethren. In the first place, some have erred toward them by treating their sins too lightly. The plight of erring brethren and our responsibility toward them is clearly set forth in Jas. 5:19, 20: "My brethren, if any among you err from the truth, and one convert him; let him know, that he who converteth a sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall cover a multitude of sins." Notice how God depicts the condition of the erring. First, they have left the truth. Secondly, they need converting (lit., "turning around"). Thirdly, God sees such a one as a sinner in "the error of his way." Not that he has merely stumbled in doing wrong, but that he practices sin. And, finally, God sees this sinner as a soul in the way of spiritual death. To convert him is to "save a soul from death." This is how God sees the unfaithful and it is the way in which we too must see them. In fact, to view them otherwise is to their hurt as well as our own. To play down the sins of brethren is to play into the hand of Satan. Paul's letter to the church at Corinth clearly shows that such sins cannot be ignored by faithful brethren (1 Cor. 5). For the sinner's sake and for the church's sake, sin must be acknowledged, faced up to and dealt with. Failure to do so now makes it more difficult later, and, worse, invites more of the same. But, some have gone to the other extreme and have erred toward erring brethren by over-reaction. Accordingly, some have found themselves snubbed, avoided and practically ostracized without being visited, admonished or even encouraged to repent. The cause of truth is no better served in this way than in ignoring their sins altogether. God shows what our attitude should be when He says, "And yet, count him not as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother" (2 Thess. 3:15). Here is what must be done with the erring and how. Admonish him -- and do it "as a brother." Personal hostility has no place in such soul-saving efforts. One other thing may be appropriate in this connection and it is this. No form of "congregational reprisal" can become a substitute for dealing with the erring brother and his sin. It may be wise not to use these unfaithful brethren in our worship services, but we err in making that the extent of dealing with the problem. The word of God knows of no such limited and partial withdrawing of fellowship. Finally, any Christian errs who does not see a personal responsibility toward his erring brother. One reason why we do not restore more of the unfaithful is because many among the "faithful" do not relate themselves to such work. God looks to the "spiritual" (all of them) to make the effort of restoring (Gal. 6:1). It is obvious that God is concerned about our attitudes and efforts concerning those who err from the truth. May God and the erring brother know that we are concerned too. -- Via Plain Talk, August 1979 ____________________________________________________ -2- God Hates Divorce by Bill Hall "I'm getting a divorce, but I don't plan to marry again." These words are being heard with increasing frequency. Usually the spokesman is thinking that God allows the right to divorce, but would disapprove remarriage. The truth is, however; divorce itself is sinful unless it is for the cause of fornication. Consider Matthew 19:3-6. The question originally asked Jesus by the Pharisees was not concerning remarriage, but concerning divorce: "Is it lawful for a man to put away his wife for every cause?" Jesus' reply to that question: "What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder." It was only after further questioning that Jesus discussed the problem of remarriage and adultery. Consider Malachi 2:16. "For the Lord, the God of Israel, saith that he hateth putting away." Even under the old covenant God did not approve of indiscriminate divorce. It is likely that the "tears" of verse 12 which "covered the altar" and caused the Lord to refuse their offering, were the tears of those who had been wrongfully put away. Consider Matthew 5:32. "Whosoever shall put away his wife, saving for the cause of fornication, causeth her to commit adultery." Observe the words, "causeth her" or "maketh her" (ASV). This writer understands this verse to say that if one divorces his wife he places her in a position of temptation to commit adultery, and shares the guilt when she does commit adultery. On the other hand, if he puts her away for the cause of fornication, he has put her away legitimately, and shares no guilt in whatever adultery she may subsequently commit. Consider 1 Corinthians 7:16: "And unto the married I command, yet not I, but the Lord, Let not the wife depart from her husband." Observe the word "command" or "charge" (ASV). The following verse (verse 11) does not negate or nullify this command, but simply recognizes that one might disobey the Lord's command (in which case he sins -- 1 John 3:4), and states his options if he has disobeyed. Not only does the Lord command husband and wife to live together, but he commands them to meet one another's physical needs (1 Corinthians 7:3-5) and to love one another (Ephesians 5:25; Titus 2:4-5). If one companion in a marriage fails along these lines, the other must still be obedient to God, seeking to be what He would have him or her to be in the marriage relationship. Never should the thought of divorce or separation ever enter the mind unless fornication occurs. We are not suggesting that divorce itself is "adultery," but we are saying that divorce for any cause other than fornication is sin. Christians must not be influenced by the loose standards that prevail in the world in which they live. ____________________________________________________ -3- The Sin Of Adultery by Earl Fly Jesus gave only ONE condition for divorce and remarriage. He teaches that if one of the marriage partners commits fornication the INNOCENT party has a right to divorce the GUILTY party and remarry (Matthew 19:3-9). If one divorces the companion for any OTHER cause and remarries, that one is committing the sin of adultery, and the person married to such a divorced person is likewise guilty of adultery. And whosoever marries the one put away also commits adultery with that one. This is the law of God. It cannot be changed or set aside to suit the desires of the people. Adulterers cannot enter heaven (1 Cor. 6:9,10). If they would be saved they must cease living in adultery, which means separation. "The way of transgressors is hard" (Prov. 13:15). Sometimes children are involved and thus the innocent suffer for the sins of the guilty. In such a separation the father has a responsibility to properly care for mother and children. While some rebel at the thought of such a separation in order to be a Christian, they thought little or nothing about the FIRST separation and divorce, which also may have involved children. If one can leave his wife, and children the FIRST time to commit adultery with a second wife which DISPLEASES God, can he not leave the SECOND, ADULTEROUS marriage to obey God? While it is true that all sins are washed away when one obeys the gospel of Christ, RELATIONSHIPS are not. The person must CEASE the relationship. Thus one who is a partner in a liquor business must sever that relationship when he obeys God, otherwise he has never truly repented. Likewise, repentance will demand that those living in adultery cease doing so. There is no other way of salvation for them. Those living in adultery must choose whether they will separate and obey God and be saved, or live with their companion in adultery and be lost in eternity. -- Via The Exhorter, February 25, 2001 ____________________________________________________ -4- The Road To Troas by Larry Ray Hafley Later in the life of Paul, we will find the road to Rome fraught with doubt and danger, but the road to Troas was a first perplexity. Troas was the threshold of the "Macedonian call." It was the prelude to the planting of the gospel seed in Europe. It was the Spirit's summons to the side of lady Lydia. It was the introduction to perils and pitfalls leading to the house of the jailer in Philippi. From the riverside to the comforts of Lydia's domicile to the dark dungeon of sufferings, songs and salvation, Paul was led on the road to Troas. After establishing churches in the faith and distributing the decrees of the apostles and elders in Jerusalem, Paul and his companions entered the highlands of Phrygia and Galatia, but were "forbidden" by the Holy Spirit to "preach the word in Asia" (Acts 16:6). Next, by taking a northern road, they determined to go into Bithynia which lay along the shores of the Black Sea. Again, the Spirit "suffered them not." They could not go west; they could not travel to the northeast. Why not? What now? These questions must have crept into their minds. Not allowed to proceed either to the left or to the right, they went straight ahead. They took the road to Troas. There they found Luke. That would have been reward enough for their thwarted plans and purposes, but there was more in store. There was, as we previously stated, the continent of Europe, and the future fond fellowship of the faithful Philippians. Perhaps you are on a road to Troas. Paul could not foresee the matchless, marvelous blessings that would ultimately sustain and support him as he ventured into Philippi, but he often may have reflected on the route and the road to Troas that led him to the brethren who would become his "dearly beloved and longed for, (his) joy and crown" (Phil. 4:1). Likewise, you may be experiencing uncertainties and roadblocks on the path of life. You may feel a sense of consternation, aggravation and frustration as your every effort is stalled. It is time, then, to take the road to Troas. That does not mean that the woes of whippings and stocks of injustice are past. No, all those things were in Philippi. They waited as surely as did sister Lydia and the comforts of her home. However, the lasting love and support of kindred spirits was to sustain Paul all the rest of his days. Your map may be garbled and confusing, but follow on in faith and prayer. God will direct you as you trust and obey him (Prov. 3:5-7). Only in this way will you find your Philippians who will nourish and cherish you. First, though, you must take the road to Troas. ____________________________________________________ -5- "Can You Drink the Cup?" by Clarence R. Johnson "James and John, the sons of Zebedee came to [Jesus,] saying, 'Teacher, we want You to do for us whatever we ask.' And He said to them, 'What do you want Me to do for you?' They said to Him, 'Grant us that we may sit, one on Your right hand and the other on Your left, in Your glory.' But Jesus said to them, 'You do not know what you ask. Can you drink the cup that I drink, and be baptized with the baptism I am baptized with?' And they said to Him, 'We can.' And Jesus said to them, 'You will indeed drink the cup that I drink, and with the baptism I am baptized with you will be baptized, but to sit on My right hand and on My left is not Mine to give, but it is for those for whom it is prepared.' And when the ten heard it, they began to be greatly displeased with James and John. But Jesus called them to Himself and said to them, 'You know that those who are considered rulers over the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. Yet it shall not be so among you; but whoever desires to be first shall be slave of all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many'" (Mark 10:35-45). The parallel account in Matthew 20 shows that Salome, the mother of James and John was also involved in their request. Whether it was initially her idea or that of her sons, we are not informed, but the entire procedure shows that Jesus' disciples did not yet really understand the nature of His purpose -- or theirs. He had not come to earth for personal glory, but to serve the needs of lost and dying sinners. His apostles were not to be served and pampered, but to give themselves to the task of human redemption. When Jesus asked if they could drink His cup and be baptized with His baptism, they answered affirmatively, but they did not understand what they were talking about. The "cup" and "baptism" of this context are figures of speech. They had already been baptized with the water baptism Jesus had submitted to. Soon they would share with Him the cup of His memorial supper. But the cup and baptism of Mark 10 were symbols of suffering. Could they be immersed in suffering as He was about to be? Could they drink the dreaded cup of Mark 14:36? They could, and would -- but they did not yet really understand His words. Upon hearing the request of James and John for special consideration, the others were indignant, probably not because the idea was repulsive to them, but because James and John thought of it before they did. There was still much to learn, but in due time, they would thoroughly understand. -- Via Susquehanna Sentinel, May 30, 2004 ____________________________________________________ -6- News & Notes A gospel meeting at the Lake Villa Drive church of Christ in Metairie (LA) begins this Sunday with Elmer Moore (from Livingston, Texas) as the speaker. It will last through Friday, meeting at 7:30 through the weeknights. The church meets at 3000 Lake Villa Drive. For more information, call (504) 455-6154. ____________________________________________________ MYRTLE STREET CHURCH OF CHRIST 1022 Myrtle Street Denham Springs, LA 70726 (225) 664-8208 Sunday: 9:15 AM, 10:00 AM, 4:00 PM Wednesday: 7:00 PM evangelist/editor: Tom Edwards (225) 667-4520 e-mail: tedwards@onemain.com web site: http://home.onemain.com/~tedwards/go ____________________________________________________