THE POWER OF FAITH

Bob Myhan

I

n Romans 10:14-17, the apostle Paul tells us: “How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach unless they are sent? As it is written: ‘How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace, who bring glad tidings of good things!’ But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Isaiah says, ‘Lord, who has believed our report?’ So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.”

W

e learn from this passage that (1) one cannot call on someone in whom he does not believe, (2) one cannot believe in someone, of whom he has not heard, (3) one cannot hear without a preacher and (4) a preacher cannot preach without being sent. Paul also tells us that not all those who heard the word have “obeyed the gospel. For Isaiah says, Lord, who has believed our report?” Not all have obeyed because not all have believed.

M

any people think that salvation, or justification, is “by faith only” as if one could simply “believe himself saved” like wishing upon a star. But salvation or justification by faith involves more than just believing that “Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God.” Certainly, one who truly believes this is going to obey the gospel, but some are prevented from obeying the gospel by being told that this would be salvation, or justification, on the basis of works. They are thus convinced that all they have to do is believe, and God will do the rest.

W

hile we are not justified, or saved, by works of human merit or by works of the Law of Moses or by any works “alone,” Paul did tell the Galatians, “For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avails anything, but faith working through love” (Galatians 5:6). James tells us Abraham was “justified by works, when he offered Isaac his son on the altar” (James 2:21). Thus we see that the “power of faith” is obedience.

WHATEVER IS TRUE

Guest Writer: W. Bruce Tooley

A

ll of us should have a desire to know and obey the truth (John 8:31,32). Pilate asked Jesus “What is truth” (John 18:38)? How can we know what is sincere, genuine and right? How can we know who is telling the truth? There seem to be a lot of answers from those who claim to have the truth. They make promises they cannot perform; they offer peace and happiness, which they can never supply. Let us see if we can determine what is proper and right.

J

esus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life” (John 14:6). Jesus is the perfect expression of truth in all its fullness. His life is an example of truth and purity. He asked His enemies “which one of you convicts me of sin?” Jesus’ enemies could not convict Him of any sin. Even Pilate declared, “I find no fault in this man” (Luke 23:4). There was insufficient evidence to declare His guilt. If we want to know the truth concerning how to live, we must look to the life of Jesus.

M

any teachers claim they have the way of truth, but disagree on what the truth is. How can we know who is telling the truth? We must remember to “let God be true, but every man a liar” (Romans 3:4). The Bible is inspired of God (2 Timothy 3:16,17); the Bible reveals all that is needful and profitable (2 Peter 1:3).

W

e will not be held accountable for what any preacher or Bible teacher says. But whatever the Bible teaches we must obey for we will be judged thereby. “He who rejects Me, and does not receive My words, has that which judges him - the word that I have spoken will judge him in the last day” (John 12:48). The word of God is the standard of truth by which all must stand or fall.

Y

es, we can know the truth. Look to Jesus as our perfect example of life (1 Peter 2:21). Look to the word of God, the perfect way of truth in all things (John 17:17). It is the only thing on which we can rely; it will never fail us.

WHAT IS TRUTH?

Guest Writer: J. Mike Johnson

T

his is the question that Pilate asked in John 18:38. He may have asked it with scorn rather than a thirst for knowledge. Nevertheless, it is still the supreme question.

J

esus said, in His prayer to God, “Thy word is truth” (John 17:17). God chose certain men to reveal his will. Today we have it in the form of the Bible (John 16:7,13; Eph. 3:3-4). The Scriptures “thoroughly” (KJV) or completely furnish us “unto all good works” (2 Timothy 3:16-17).

T

ruth is important with respect to MORALS. The popular philosophy of today is that “nothing is really right or wrong.” Man today says, “A thing is right or wrong only in the way that it pertains to a particular circumstance.” One movie star was asked what one thing he wanted to teach his son. The star replied, “do whatever makes you happy so long as it does not hurt someone else.” This might sound like a good philosophy and in some cases may be. However, it is possible that something might please us, hurt no one else and yet BE CONTRARY TO THE BIBLE. Many are afraid to say what is right and wrong morally according to the Scriptures, being caught up with the moral philosophy of our times instead of truth from God’s Word.

I

n DOCTRINAL matters it does not usually make one very popular to standup and say that this doctrine is right or that doctrine is wrong. The current religious philosophy is that it does not matter what one believes as long as one is sincere. Sincerity, not truth, is made the test for doctrine. The spirit of compromise and fickleness prevails. Some try to be so broadminded that they will stand for nothing. The Bible teaches that we are to CONTEND EARNESTLY for the faith (Jude 3), that the WAY of SALVATION is TRUTH and can MAKE US FREE (John 8:32), and that we are to “have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them” (Ephesians 5:11).

WHAT IS A SOUND CHURCH?

Bob Myhan

A

 “sound” church is not merely a church with a big name (Rev. 3:1,15-7), or a church that is sound in doctrine (Acts 20:20,26,27,31; I Tim. 1:3; Rev. 2:3-5), although it will be sound in doctrine.

A

 “sound” church is one that is “healthy” overall, not just in certain areas. A “sound” church is one that seeks to be scripturally organized with qualified men serving as elders and deacons (Acts 14:23; Phil. 1:1; 3 John 9; Titus 1:5). A “sound” church is one in which every member knows his place and fills it (Josh. 6:5,20; Judges 7:15-21; 1 Peter 5:2,3; 1 Tim. 3:8,9; Eph. 4:16).

A

 “sound” church is one whose members demand (not merely tolerate) plain, strong, doctrinal preaching (2 Tim. 4:2-4; Acts 20:28-32; 2 Peter 2:1; 1 John 4:1; 1 Tim. 1:19,20; 2 Tim. 2:16-18; 4:10,14; Titus 1:10-13; 3 John 9).

A

 “sound” church is one whose members are not content with what is being done, but aspire to do even more (Phil. 1:3-5; 4:10-18; 3:13,14; Col. 1:3-8; 1:9,10; 1 Thess. 1:2-4,6-8; 4:1,10).