October, 2023

Issue #4

IT DOESN’T TURN PINK IN THE CAN

Many years ago when I was in grad school, I had a course that studied propaganda. One lesson that impressed me was an advertisement campaign by the then young tuna industry. Up to that point, most women bought salmon when buying canned fish. Someone representing the new tuna industry came up with the idea of advertising that tuna doesn’t turn pink in the can. This, of course, is a true statement. 

         The effect, however, was to cause women to believe that their salmon was turning pink in the can, so they quit buying it and bought tuna instead. It turned the industry on its ear. It wasn’t long before everyone was buying tuna instead of salmon.

         I have often thought of this, and how this same strategy has affected Christianity. Sometimes it is possible to tell the truth but keep some important facts hidden. The first subject that comes to mind is the concept of faith in the New Testament. To say that “faith” saves is a very true statement; but if someone stops there, they are doing exactly what the tuna industry did. Not all the facts are revealed, and a false perception is being presented. 

         Before looking at Scripture, I would like to illustrate the concept of “faith” by this illustration. Which child has faith, or believes, their parent? The parent told both sons he would give them one hundred dollars if they would work all day in their garden. The first son decided to play baseball all day instead of working in the garden. The second son decided to work as his father requested. Both sons believed their father, but only one son obeyed, and only one son would receive the reward the parent had promised.

         Jesus actually taught this same concept in Matthew 21:28-31.

But what think ye? A certain man had two sons; and he came to the first, and said, Son, go work today in my vineyard. He answered and said, I will not: but afterward he repented, and went.And he came to the second, and said likewise. And he answered and said, I go, sir: and went not. Whether of them twain did the will of his father? They say unto him, The first…. 

Notice the importance of “doing the will” of the Father. It is our faith that causes us to do the will of our Father in Heaven. This point is further made in John 12:42.

Nevertheless among the chief rulers also many believed on him; but because of the Pharisees they did not confess him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue:

Once again, the Bible tells us these men “believed on Christ”, but they would not follow Him because they would lose their positions. Stating that faith, or belief, alone saves is like saying “It doesn’t turn pink in the can.” There is much more involved in the word faith. They did not do the “will of the Father” and obey Christ.

         One of the “proof texts” of those that assert that “faith alone” brings salvation is Ephesians 2:8-9.

For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.

The question should be about the kind of work to which the text is referring. Paul, in writing the letter to the Romans referred often to “work”. Many, however, fail to get past the “pink in the can” to see what this work might be. Paul is still referring to this same subject in Romans 9:31-32.

But Israel, which followed after the law of righteousness, hath not attained to the law of righteousness. Wherefore? Because they sought it not by faith, but as it were by the works of the law. For they stumbled at that stumbling stone;

This was a common theme when Paul was addressing those following the old law, for he further writes in Galatians 2:16.

Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.

Or note he also states this in Galatians 3:11

But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith.

Paul also teaches in Romans 1:5 that obedience to faith is necessary.

By whom we have received grace and apostleship, for obedience to the faith among all nations, for his name:

         Who would dare say that if deity commands something of us it is optional? Consider John 6:28-29.

Then said they unto him, What shall we do, that we might work the works of God? Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent.

Believing in God is a work, but it is a work that God commands. What about the other “works” of God? Did God not command these:

Confessing that He is the Christ? Matthew 19:32-33

Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven. But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven.

Repenting of our sins? Luke 13:3

         I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.

Baptism for the remission of our sins? Acts 2:38

Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.

Note that Peter indicated baptism was for the purpose of the remission of our sins.

         The Bible clearly teaches that it is our actions, brought about by our faith, that is acceptable to God. Two examples are Hebrews 11:7, 30.

By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith…By faith the walls of Jericho fell down, after they were compassed about seven days.

It was Noah’s actions of building the ark according to God’s word that verified his faith in God. Also, it was Israel’s action of obedience, because of their faith to God’s command, that more than likely made no sense to them. That verified their faith in God.

Faith in God demands obedience. This is the element that many today fail to see. We are saved by faith, but it is an obedient faith. James clearly teaches this in James 2:14,17-18,20,22

What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? Canfaith save him…Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee myfaith by my works…But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead…Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect?

Don’t make the mistake made by many women years ago when the young tuna industry created the commercial, “it doesn’t go pink in the can”. We are indeed saved by our faith, but God’s word teaches over and over that it is an obedient faith that saves.

The Law and the Covenant

April 16, 1972

         God has made several covenants with man. He made a covenant with Adam and Eve before their fall (Genesis 1:28-29), and he made another covenant with Adam and Eve after their fall (Genesis 3:15-21). He made a covenant with Noah before the flood (Genesis 4:13-22), and he made another covenant with Noah after the flood (Genesis 9:8-17). God made a covenant with Abram, later called Abraham, respecting the Christ (Genesis 12:1-3). He also made a covenant with Abram concerning circumcision (Genesis 17:9-14). God also made a covenant with his people of old, the Israelites, and He made this covenant through Moses and sealed it with the blood of animals, when He met with His people upon Mt. Sinai, and He has also made a covenant with His people today, the Christians, and He has sealed this covenant with the precious blood of the Son of God Himself.

         In this article we will confine ourselves to the study of these last two covenants, with particular emphasis upon the first of these two. The word covenant may be variously defined. You might think of a covenant as an agreement, or you might think of a covenant as a testament, or as a will. Sometimes that upon which parties are agreed is also called a covenant.

         Of the two covenants we have chosen to study, one is usually referred to as the old covenant. This is the covenant that God made with his people Israel when he met with them at the foot of old shaking Sinai, and the other is usually referred to as the new covenant. This is the one that He has made with His people called Christians, and this he made with them at Mt. Zion. Paul affirms that we, Christians, have not come to Mt. Sinai, but that we have come to Mt. Zion.

Hebrews 12:18-22 (ESV) “For you have not come to what may be touched, a blazing fire and darkness and gloom and a tempest and the sound of a trumpet and a voice whose words made the hearers beg that no further messages be spoken to them. the mountain, it shall be stoned.”Indeed, so terrifying was the sight that Moses said, “I tremble with fear.” But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to innumerable angels in festal gathering….”

         In Hebrews 8:8-13 Paul quotes from Jeremiah, the prophet showing that it was God’s design to make a new covenant with his people in the last times. Verse eight reads: “For he finds fault with them when he says: ‘Behold, the days are coming, declares the Lord, when I will establish a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah,’” Again, speaking of these covenants, Paul writes “He taketh away the first that he might establish the second,” (Hebrews 10:9). When he took away the first covenant, exactly what was it that he took away? That is of what did that first covenant consist? We should let the Bible answer this question in the same manner that we should let it answer all our questions. What, then, does the Bible say regarding what was in this first covenant? 

         In the first place, we should turn to Deuteronomy 4:13 and begin our study there. In that verse it is stated that “He (that is, God) declared unto you His covenant, which he commanded you to perform, even ten commandments; and he wrote them upon two tables of stone.” You will observe that the covenant is here defined by the Lord himself as being the ten commandments. Notice, he said, “The covenant, even the ten commandments.” Here the Lord specifically defines the covenant to be the ten commandments. Therefore, the ten commandments constituted the first, or the old covenant. But Paul also writes by inspiration in Hebrews 9:1 and says “Then verily the first covenant had also ordinances(that is, ceremonies) of divine service, and a worldly sanctuary.” So, while the first covenant consisted of the ten commandments, (Deuteronomy 4:13) it also had ordinance or ceremonies of divine service. Therefore, the ceremonial was as much a part of the first covenant as were the ten commandments. They must all stand or fall together. When God removed the first covenant, He certainly did not alter it by cutting t have in two, taking away the ceremonial portion and leaving the ten commandments to remain. He took it all away. Paul said “He took away the first, that He might establish the second.”Therefore, God took away both the ten commandments and the ceremonies of divine service all of which were included in the first covenant. The whole covenant was taken away! If the old covenant consisted of both the ten commandments (Deuteronomy 4:13), and ordinances or ceremonies of divine service (Hebrews 9:1), then it obviously follows that whenever God took away the first covenant He took away all of that of which it consisted, that is, He took away both the ten commandments and the ceremonies of divine service. Indeed, nothing could be plainer! We must conclude that in taking away the first covenant, in order to establish the second covenant, God removed both the ten commandments and the ceremonies of divine service.

         The old covenant remains today as it has always been—it still consists of ten commandments and ceremonies of divine service, God did not alter it—He did not take parts of it and make the new covenant. He took it all away, and it is all now just like it has always been. And in its place God has made a new covenant with His people, and while the new covenant may have some things in common with the old covenant it was not made from part of the old covenant. It is in every way a new covenant, And to this covenant Christians are answerable today. In taking away the first covenant, God did not leave his people without law, for we today are subject to the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus. (Romans 8:1).

         An illustration might be appropriate here. The people of Alabama are subject to the constitution of the State of Alabama; however, the constitution to which we are now answerable is not the same as the constitution to which residents of Tennessee were at first answerable.

         [The Constitution of the State of Alabama is the basic governing document of the U.S. state of Alabama. It was adopted in 1901 and is Alabama's sixth consecutive constitution. ballotpedia.org/Alabama Constitution] (Added by Robert Oliver)

Did the removing of former constitutions in our state mean that the people of Alabama could thereafter do as they pleased? Certainly not, for while it is true that former constitutions have been taken away, each time a new constitution has been made to take the place of that one that was taken away. In the same sense, when God took away the first covenant, including the ten commandments and the ceremonies of divine service, he gave us a new covenant, and this new covenant is superior to the former covenant in every way.

         That first covenant was made with one nation—Israel; the new covenant is international in scope. It is intended for every creature. The first covenant was made with God and his people at the foot of old Mt. Sinai and the second was made between God and his people at Mt. Zion. Of this Paul writes in Hebrews 12:18 and 22: “For you have not come to what may be touched” this is Mt. Sinai, “but” says Paul “you have come to Mount Zion” (see verse 22). The first covenant was made at Mt. Sinai, and the second was. Made at Mt. Zion. Furthermore, it would be just as reasonable for one to contend that American citizens must go to Moscow, Russia, instead of Washington D. C. to learn what they must do as American citizens, as it would be for someone else to contend that Christians must go to Mt, Sinai, instead of to Mt.  Zion to learn what they are to do as Christians.

         Again, the first covenant was given trough Moses, the second covenant was given through Christ. The first covenant was dedicated with the blood of animals; the second covenant was dedicated with the precious blood of the Son of God Himself, The first covenant was established upon some wonderful promises, but the second was established upon better promises. Of this Paul writes in Hebrews 8:6. “But as it is, Christ has obtained a ministry that is as much more excellent than the old as the covenant he mediates is better, since it is enacted on better promises.”

         Paul does give us a warning in Galatians 5:4 “Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace.”

Editor's Note: You can read weekly articles from Sandy at the following Web site: abiblecommentary.com "Blog for Christian Women"

STOP LITTERING

Recently, while stopped at a traffic light, a truck pulled up beside us advertising litter pick-up. I don’t remember the exact wording, but it was some like, “Stop Littering” or “Don’t Be A Litterbug”. 

As the truck pulled away from the traffic light, several pieces of trash blew out of the back of the truck, leaving a trail of litter on the highway. Their signs on the truck meant nothing as the paper and cans blew around the other vehicles.

This made me think about the “litter” that comes from the mouths of those that profess the name of Christ. Profanity, of course, gets our attention; but the euphemisms may slip by almost unnoticed. 

A euphemism is, “The substitution of an inoffensive term for one considered offensively explicit”.

I am afraid some people have become so used to hearing euphemisms that they don’t pay much attention to such language. Just as I am uncomfortable with profanity, I am also uncomfortable with euphemisms. These words are so common that most people don’t realize they are just as sinful as profane words or curse words.

I hear even little children say “OMG” or the actual words, “Oh my God”. You may use that phrase yourself, but what are you really saying? What about “gosh”, “golly” “gee”, “my goodness”, “darn”, “doggone”, or “heck”? Do you ever use those words? What are you really saying when you use those words? Let’s check our dictionary and see what these words mean.

1.     Gosh—“Used to express mild surprise or delight (Euphemistic variant of God).

2.     Golly—“Used to express mild surprise or wonder (Euphemism for God).”

3.     Gee—“Used as a mild expletive or exclamation of surprise. (Euphemistic shortening of Jesus).”

4.     Goodness—“A euphemism for God in such phrases as Thank goodness!”

5.     Darn—Euphemism for damn.”

6.     Doggone—“Euphemism for damn.”

7.     Heck—“Euphemism for hell.”

8.     OMG—Oh my God—This is simply taking God’s name in vain.

In Matthew 12, we find Jesus being once again accosted by the Pharisees. He answers them by telling them that good trees are known for their good fruit and likewise corrupt trees are known for corrupt fruit. Then He asks them a question. “How can you speak good when you are evil? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. The good person out of his good treasure brings forth good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure brings forth evil.” They claimed to be so righteous, but their hearts were evil. We understand this, but the next verse hits the core of what we are talking about. “I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak, for by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned”.

James makes it clear. “From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so” (James 3:10). Euphemisms are the same as the curse words they represent. So, when we use those words, we are cursing. Someone may say, “I don’t mean that when I use those words”. You may not mean it to be cursing, but it is. It doesn’t matter what you think. It does matter what others think. Consider this story.

Many years ago, a young preacher’s wife stood outside the church building greeting visitors on a Sunday morning. Looking around, she saw the beautiful flowers that were growing next to the building. Her comment was, “Gee, aren’t those pretty flowers?” A visitor was offended by what she said. The visitor couldn’t believe a preacher’s wife would use profanity. She told me that she was so embarrassed by what she said. She didn’t know that was profanity. 

If a truck advertises “don’t be a litter bug” and spreads trash on the highway, we think that company is hypocritical. If Christians claim to be like Christ in their manner of living, including clean speech, and use profanity or euphemisms, are they not the same? 

Consider this. God put great emphasis on His name. He told Moses to say “I AM THAT I AM” has sent you to Pharaoh (Exodus 3:14). The Jews wouldn’t even call Him by name. In Leviticus 24, a man was stoned for blaspheming the name of God and cursing. In Deuteronomy 28, the people were told to “fear the glorious and fearful name, THE LORD THY GOD”. 

Cursing and the use of euphemisms is blaspheming (speaking irreverently) of God. There is no doubt. It is sin.

              Brothers Isaac Solomon, Akpan Ekott, and Uduak Okon, Elders for the Olowora congregation in Lagos, Nigeria

These brethren were appointed in July, 2022 to serve as elders for the Olowora congregation in Lagos, Nigeria. They have done an excellent job serving this congregation and our Lord in this office. Having served as an elder I know I learned much from those elders that served before me, and my fellow elders. These men did not have that advantage. There were no elders when they were appointed. I ask you to pray for these courageous men. The Olowora congregation continues to grow and prosper under their direction, and with the work of Brother Daniel, the minister of the congregation.

              There is one person in my life that I just can’t forgive. I try to do everything the Bible tells me to do, but this person has just been too cruel to me. Will this keep me from heaven?

Many people don’t take seriously what Christ taught about forgiveness. In the model prayer we are taught to ask God to forgive us as we forgive others. (Matthew 6:12-15). But the parable that puts an exclamation point on this question is found in Matthew 18:21-35).

“Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times? Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven. Therefore is the kingdom of heaven likened unto a certain king, which would take account of his servants. And when he had begun to reckon, one was brought unto him, which owed him ten thousand talents. But forasmuch as he had not to pay, his lord commanded him to be sold, and his wife, and children, and all that he had, and payment to be made. The servant therefore fell down, and worshipped him, saying, Lord, have patience with me, and I will pay thee all. Then the lord of that servant was moved with compassion, and loosed him, and forgave him the debt. But the same servant went out, and found one of his fellow servants, which owed him an hundred pence: and he laid hands on him, and took him by the throat, saying, Pay me that thou owest. And his fellow servant fell down at his feet, and besought him, saying, Have patience with me, and I will pay thee all. And he would not: but went and cast him into prison, till he should pay the debt. So when his fellow servants saw what was done, they were very sorry, and came and told unto their lord all that was done. Then his lord, after that he had called him, said unto him, O thou wicked servant, I forgave thee all that debt, because thou desiredst me: Shouldest not thou also have had compassion on thy fellow servant, even as I had pity on thee? And his lord was wroth, and delivered him to the tormentors, till he should pay all that was due unto him. So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not everyone his brother their trespasses.”

To believe you can go to heaven if you are unwilling to forgive is pure fantasy. God’s word is plain on the subject. If you expect God to forgive you, you must forgive anyone that has trespassed against you. 

Some believe the person must ask for forgiveness. If that is true, why did Stephen forgive those that were in the process of stoning him? (Acts 7:60). Why did our Lord forgive those in the process of crucifying Him? (Luke 23:43). 

Which is more important to you, your feelings toward another, or your desire to enter heaven?

A Sunday school teacher was teaching her class about the difference between right and wrong.

"All right children, let's take another example," she said. "If I were to get into a man's pocket and take his billfold with all his money, what would I be?"

Little Johnny raises his hand, and with a confident smile, he blurts out, "You'd be his wife!"

In Closing:  It is hard for me to believe this issue wraps up my 15^th year publishing Light For Our Age. It has indeed been a joy to share these articles with you and look forward to another year of study. May God richly bless you as you grow in God’s word.

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Basic Bible Knowledge About the Holy Spirit       Speech & Debate



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