RELATIONSHIPS

By Bob Myhan

Relationships, in both the natural and supernatural realms, are not simple but complex and manifold. In natural families, for example, there is both a ge­netic and a social relationship. A child's ge­netic relationship with his biological par­ents will never cease. He may not live up to their moral and spiritual expectations, but he is still their child, biologically. They may disinherit him so that he ceases to be their son, socially. But, biologically, he re­mains their son.

If a birth mother gives up her child for adoption, the genetic mother-child rela­tionship continues to exist, although the social mother-child relationship ends. The adopted child usually considers those who raised him as his parents. And they are his parents, both socially and emotionally. But he is still the biological child of his birth mother. This will never change. Thus, he is the child of one set of parents in one sense, and the child of a different set of parents in an­other sense.

Likewise, an individual may be a child of God in one sense, yet not a child of God in another sense. The apostle Paul gave in­spired sanction to the statement of certain Athenian poets who said "For we are also His offspring" (Acts 17:28). In what sense were they the "offspring" of God? They were His “offspring” in the sense that He created them. This establishes the Father­hood of God and the brotherhood of men. Since we are all the “offspring” of God, He is the “Father of all” (Eph. 4:6) and all hu­man beings are brothers and sisters of one another.

The angels are also referred to as "sons of God" (Job 1:6; 2:1). Even Satan was "among them." In what sense are the an­gels and Satan "sons of God"? They are “sons of God” in the sense that they were created by Him.

But once a human being has sinned, he must be "born again … of water and the Spirit" in order to enter the spiritual king­dom, or family of God. Only God can place an individual into His kingdom/family, and only God can remove an individual from His kingdom/family. Does He do so directly or indirectly? He does so indirectly through those who proclaim the gospel on earth. In removing people from the kingdom, how­ever, His agents are the angels in heaven.

In the parable of the wheat and tares (Matt. 13:24-30, 36-43) we are told,

"The Son of man shall send forth his an­gels, and they shall gather out of his king­dom all things that offend, and them which do iniquity; And shall cast them into a fur­nace of fire: there shall be wail­ing and gnashing of teeth."

This certainly indicates that those who "offend” and “do iniquity" will still be in the kingdom at that time; therefore, they will be in the fam­ily, for the king­dom and family are co-extensive.

Thus, though one must be approved of God by having his sins remitted to get into the family of God, His approval is not nec­essary to remaining therein during one’s physical life. In other words, membership in the family or kingdom of God does not guarantee that one is ap­proved of God.

This was one of the many mistakes of the Jews. They thought God approved of them just because they were His covenant people. But this was not the case then and it is not the case now. He is disappointed in His children when they sin, even before they are withdrawn from, but He still rec­ognizes them as His children. However, if they do not repent in this life they will be “gathered out” at the end.

Of course, each local congregation is a mini-kingdom, or mini-family, in that it is a microcosm of the whole. When a member is in sin and will not repent he is to be withdrawn from [denied the social interac­tion that is nor­mally associated with mem­bership in the local church family]. In ef­fect, he is re­moved from the family unit, socially (Matt. 18:15-17; 2 Thess. 2:14). But he is still a part of the family, spiritu­ally. And we are to “admonish him as a brother” (2 Thess. 2:15) in the hope that he will some day re­pent.&

THE NATURE OF FAITH

By Bob Myhan

In Hebrews 11:1-3, we are told four things about faith. (1) It “is the sub­stance of things hoped for,” (2) it is “the evidence of things not seen,” (3) it is that by which “the elders obtained a good testimony,” and (4) it is that by which “we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God.”

Two words, “sub” (meaning “under”) and “stance” (meaning “stand”), combine to form the word, “substance;” thus, the substance of a thing is that which “stands under” or gives support to a thing. “Hope” may be defined as “desire plus expecta­tion.” Without faith, hope has no support, for faith creates both the desire and ex­pectation of what is promised. If one loses his faith, therefore, he necessarily loses his hope, as well. We do not hope for what we do not expect or what we do not desire. Nor do we hope for what we al­ready pos­sess. “For we were saved in this hope, but hope that is seen is not hope; for why does one still hope for what he sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, we eagerly wait for it with persever­ance” (Romans 8:24-25). The word, “evidence,” means “proof.” Thus, faith is not blind.

“The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament shows His handi­work” (Psalm 19:1).

 We may conclude—by ob­serving the heavens—that God is glorious and—by observing the firmament—that He is handy in His work. But the only evi­dence we have that He created all things is our faith. That is, God tells us He “created the heavens and the earth” (Genesis 1:1).

“Faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” (Romans 10:17)

So by hearing the word of God on the matter of the creation we have evidence of its cer­tainty.

“But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a re­warder of those who diligently seek Him.” (Heb. 11:6)

If we believe both these things, we will “diligently seek Him.” There­fore, faith is not mystical but rational in nature.

“But why do you call Me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do the things which I say? Who­ever comes to Me, and hears my sayings and does them, I will show you whom he is like: He is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid the foundation on the rock. And when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently against that house, and could not shake it, for it was founded on a rock. But he who heard and did nothing is like a man who built a house on the earth without a foundation, against which the stream beat vehe­mently; and immediately it fell. And the ruin of that house was great.” (Luke 6:46-49)

When one hears God’s word and accepts it (to the extent of act­ing on it) then, and only then, it may be said that he has saving faith. &