"For from the top of the rocks I see him, and from the hills I behold him. . ." Numbers 23:9

---

THE MOUNTAIN MESSENGER

APRIL 2004
Volume 1..........................Number 3
Crum, West Virginia

---

THE HEAD OR THE TAIL?

By Albert E. Farley

When our congregation conducted our gospel meeting last fall, we encountered stiff competition from area churches who were conducting their interdenominational "United Ralph Bell Crusade For Christ" during the same week. A large ad, sponsored by the Crusade, appeared in the Clarksburg newspaper on Monday. It began with the words, "BELIEVE THE HYPE!!" In large letters and pictures the ad announced that at the local Armory there would be "! X-TREME GAMES! , Sumo Boxing, Bunee Run" - plus a Musical Concert and a Comedy Act. The invitation was, "COME PLAY THE GAMES - EAT ALL THE PIZZA YOU WANT FOR . . . FREE."

This approach to "evangelism" has been common in the denominational world for many years. As the religions of man-made churches continue to depart from the word of God into the doctrines and commandments of men - from the spiritual to fleshly goals and pursuits - this trend becomes even more common.

Our faithful evangelist took note of this worldly "religious" event that week, and he sought to admonish and warn us with the word of God not to depart from the faith ourselves. (I Timothy 4:1). A few days later - in the same paper - a much smaller article appeared that brought even worse news to us: a local "Church of Christ" announced that it would host its "Fall Fling and Midway Carnival" that coming Saturday! The article reported that a "free-of-charge program" on the church grounds would include "a dunking booth, fire truck rides, face painting, a Nickelodeon movie theater and various games and activity booths." Free hot dogs and snacks would be provided, and the day would be culminated with a balloon launch.

Dear readers, God pleads with us to examine ourselves, whether we be in the faith; to prove our own selves (2 Corinthians 13:5). Surely we do not want to be found reprobates (unapproved, rejected). Jesus certainly fed the multitudes with the loaves and fishes but he never used meat, drink, or entertainment to draw the multitudes to him. In fact he cautioned those who came to him for this reason. (John 6:26-27).

The only power God has today to save the world is the preaching of the glorious gospel of Jesus Christ. (Mark 16:15-16). It is the power of God unto salvation. (Romans 1:16-17). Many today consider this to be foolishness, but the Bible says, "For after than in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe." (I Corinthians 1:21). Jesus said, "And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me." (John 12:32).

It grieves God to see his people becoming like the nations around them. (I Samuel 8:5, 20). God’s people are to be "the salt of the earth" and "the light of the world." (Matthew 5:13-14). We are not to be conformed to this world but are to be transformed by the renewing of our minds, that we may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. (Romans 12:1-2).

When we see so-called churches of Christ mimicking and following along after the corruptions of the denominational world, we are reminded of the warning given by Moses to the children of Israel in Deuteronomy 28. If they would harken diligently unto the voice of the LORD their God, and observed and do all his commandments, he would set them high above all nations of the earth. He would make them to be "the head, and not the tail" (Deuteronomy 28:13). But if they would go aside from any of the words which he commanded them - to the right hand or to the left - he would curse them; their enemies would become the head, and they would be the tail (Deuteronomy 28:44). This certainly happened to Israel. This is our example and admonition - upon whom the ends of the world are come. (I Corinthians 10:11). Are we the head or the tail?

Back To The Top Of The Page

"Be not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? . . . "Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the LORD Almighty." (2 Corinthians 6:14-18).

You know, people like to try to make their point often with hypothetical illustrations. This is sometimes valid and sometimes not. For instance, I have often talked with people concerning their soul’s salvation, and I do my very best to stress what the Word of God teaches concerning this most important topic. I will teach them that our Lord expects them to believe that He is the Christ, the Son of God. (John 8:24). I will say that they must hear the gospel before they can believe it, however. (Romans 10:17; John 6:44-45; Acts 18:8). This is why we are commanded by King Jesus to "Go . . . preach . . . " (Mark 16:15-16). I will teach them that the Bible says we are to repent of our sins if we want to escape perishing. (Luke 13:3, 5). However, the Lord does not want any to perish but that all come to repentance. (2 Peter 3:9). This is precisely what He commands all men everywhere to repent, for there is coming a Great Day in the which He will judge the world. (Acts 17:30-31). I do my very best to help people to understand that they need to confess the sweet name of Jesus before men if they expect Jesus to confess them before the Father. (Matthew 10:32-33; Romans 10:9-10). And, I tell them that Jesus commands them to be baptized into Him for the remission of sins, or in order to be saved. (Mark 16:15-16; Acts 2:37-38; Romans 6:3-4; Galatians 3:26-27). It is here that I often hear the hypothetical arguments . . .

They’ll say, "What if a man was in the dessert. . . ", or "What if one was very sick and died just before he was baptized. . . " etc., etc., etc. All I can do is to simply go back over the above passages and say, "Listen, God gave us the Bible for a purpose. . . It is to guide and direct us through this dark world of sin and error. It is right. . . PERIOD!" Remember the bumper sticker - "THE BIBLE SAYS IT, I BELIEVE IT, THAT SETTLES IT" ? Well, that is not exactly right. . . It should read, 'THE BIBLE SAYS IT. . . THAT SETTLES IT. . . WHETHER OR NOT I BELIEVE IT." You see, Truth is not Truth depending upon my acceptance of it. Even if I reject the Bible, as many do, it is still God’s Word. . . and Truth!!!

Then I will give them some of their own medicine and say, "What if. . . what if while we are talking here and now, we notice a man coming up to us. Let’s say that we have six or seven people in this discussion about what a person has to do in order to be saved, and we all see this man coming toward us. We can’t really explain it, let’s say, but somehow we all recognize this man. What if this man is Jesus Christ, and he walks right up to where we are discussing this important topic. What if we say, ‘Lord, we are discussing what a person has to do to be saved. Can you help us out here?’ And, what if Jesus says, ‘Well. . . yes, I can help you out with your discussion.’ And as we are all waiting with great anticipation for Jesus to clear the matter up . . .What if the Lord said, ‘He that believes and is baptized shall be saved, but he that disbelieves shall be condemned.’ What will you do then? Will you argue with Jesus? I don’t think anyone will argue face to face with Jesus. . . He’s the Lord!!! He’s the Master!!!"

Now, dear reader, there’s a hypothetical situation for you! What if that happened? No, I don’t believe that it will happen. I don’t believe that Jesus will come up to us personally and bodily and say those words to us audibly today in the 21st Century. He doesn’t have to. For, my friends, he has ALREADY SAID THEM, and they are recorded by the Holy Spirit in Mark 16:16. Will you argue with the Lord? Remember, He’s Lord!!! Read Matthew 7:21 and Luke 6:46 with that in mind. The Bible is right!

James E. Farley -To Contact Jim by email, click here