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Volume 69 Number 5 Lubbock, Texas 79493 Copyright $12.00 Per Year May 2001 |
The Worth of Truth Angel of His Presence Trouble with the Tongue The Lord Is So Gracious Know in Part Selling Out Full Contexts Announcement Ordination of Brother Elvin Dick Overflowing From God's Blessings Tour Through the Bible Regarding Primitive Baptists
"He that speaketh truth sheweth forth righteousness; but a false witness deceit" [Proverbs 12:17]
This is a very plain definition of truth; it is the opposite of deceit. When we look at truth as it is explained and set forth in the scriptures, we find it to be essential to freedom. In John 8:32, the Lord said, "And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free."
The truth under consideration here is found only as it is revealed in the Lord Jesus Christ. In John 1:17, we read that the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ. Of course, this is not to say that there was no grace or truth before the Lord Jesus came; God has always dealt in both, but Christ was the very embodiment of these attributes, and verse 14 said, He was full of grace and truth.
Now, is truth free? In one sense it is indeed, however, there is another in which it is not. This statement is proven by a trail of blood dating back to the slaying of righteous Abel. In the earthly life of our Lord He lived and exemplified truth. In the 8th chapter of John, Verse 40, He said, But now ye seek to kill me, a man that hath told you the truth..." The voices of the political and religious mobs blended together and cried for the crucifixion of Christ because He spoke in truth.
Now, is truth free? In one sense it is indeed, however, there is another in which it is not. This statement is proven by a trail of blood dating back to the slaying of righteous Abel. In the early life of our Lord He lived and exemplified truth. In the 8th chapter of John, Verse 40, He said, "But now ye seek to kill me, a man that hath told you the truth..." The voices of the political and religious mobs blended together and cried for the crucifixion of Christ because He spoke in truth.
Let me say here that although, Christ was indeed crucified at the hands of sinful men, all the forces of earth and hell could not have taken the life of our Lord. In John 10:17-18, He declared, concerning His life, that "No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself." Christ condescended to suffer for the truth.
His immediate followers also suffered for the truth's sake. John, who immersed the Lord in the Jordan River was beheaded and his head placed on a charger [Matthew 14:10-11]. Stephen was stoned by a mob as he preached the truth, and there was a great persecution against the church at Jerusalem at the time. His brethren must have loved Stephen very much; in Acts 8:2 we read, "And devout men carried Stephen to his burial, and made great lamentation over him."
According to the best history we have after the Bible, all the Apostles, except John died Martyr's deaths. Briefly, the Apostle Paul, who preached the truth so fervently, died by he sword; Mark was dragged to his death; Philip was crucified, and the list goes on. Why? Because of truth.
In Hebrews 11 here are some descriptions of punishment inflicted upon the saints. Verses 35-37 tell us they were tortured, sawn in two, tempted, slain with the sword, they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins, being destitute, afflicted, tormented. What a price has been paid for truth!
If we were more aware of the Roman laws, we would appreciate more the truth and those who gave their lives for it. One of the laws was that no Christian brought before the Tribunal should be exempted from punishment without renouncing his religion. They could have denied the truth and gone free. Paul said of the persecutions in Hebrews 11, that some were tortured, not accepting deliverance [verse 35]. A classic example of that was in A.D. 162, when Polycarp was told,
"Swear, and I will release thee;--reproach Christ." Polycarp answered, "eighty and six years have I served Him, and He never once wronged me; how then shall I blaspheme my King, Who hath saved me?"
Later, many of the Waldenses, whose Articles of Faith read very similar to those of the Primitive Baptist Church, gave their lives in the most cruel manner. To quote one Article, "We have ever regarded the inventions of men, in the affairs of religion, as an unspeakable abomination before God" [Griffin's History of the Mississippi Baptists, p. 11]. This group, and other Baptists often called Anabaptists [or re-baptizers], just as our Church today, did not recognize baptism by others-a truth which we must stand for today. These brethren gave their lives, watched their children slaughtered and all their goods confiscated, simply because they stood for truth.
The price of truth has not been paid solely on foreign soil. The ultimate price has been paid here as well. In the state of Mississippi, when the first Primitive Baptists met to worship and constitute a church, they were denounced as heretics and thereafter when five or more were found together they were put in confinement [Griffin's History,p. 64].
The next time we go to the Lord's House to worship, and the Lord blesses His servant to preach the wonderful truths, let us remember that our church lineage dates back to Christ and the Apostles, that our heritage of truth has been paid for by rivers of blood. Dear Lord, give us grace to walk in truth and remember Thy word, "Buy the truth, and sell it not" [Proverbs 23:23].
Elder Bill Walden
By Elder Ira M. Fry
In this world, can poor sinners find more strength than is found in Isa. 63:8-9? He said, Surely, they are my people, children that will not lie; so He was their Saviour. In all their afflictions he was afflicted, and the angel of His presence saved them; in His love and in His pity He redeemed them; and bare them, and carried them all the days of old. As I want the thought, [And the angel of His presence saved them;] I'll not go into the verses following these two, dear readers, read them.
We should rejoice in these two verses, and be so careful not to rebel, and vex His Holy Spirit.
Rejoicing is on my mind as I look [at the angel of His presence.] May, we follow it, for a few thoughts, and see how great the Angel of His presence is.
In Ex. 33, I want especially Verse 12-16; now get 14 and 15 and He said, My presence shall go with thee, and I will give thee rest and He [Moses] said, if thy presence go not with me, carry us not up hence. Is this not beautiful to think as Moses felt. My words, if your presence is not with us, we don't want to go. But, get the promise, God said, "My presence go with thee and I will give thee rest."
In Genesis 14:1, 60 when the servant of Abraham was to go get the bride for Isaac. Verse 7 tells us God had sent His angel before thee. Please read the entire chapter and you will see how well God's angels work. Get also verse 40. The Lord before whom I walk, will send His angel with thee and prosper thy way, etc. Again, how sweet the [Angel of His presence.]
Again, we see the Angels of His presence in Ex. 23:20, Behold I send an angel before thee, to keep thee in the way, and to bring thee into the place I have prepared. And it worked, [the angel of His presence was there.] See Verse 23.
Let us next notice Ex. 32:34, Mine angel shall go before thee, telling Moses to lead the people. While reading here get Ex. 33:2, and I will send an angel before thee; and I will drive out the Canaanites, etc. On and on we can go, get Numbers 10:16. How great this angel is, see Daniel 3:28 and His angel delivered His angel delivered His servants that trusted in Him, etc. Daniel 6:22, we hear Daniel say, My God sent His angel, and hath shut the lions mouth, etc.
Over in the new Acts 12:11 Peter said, I know of a surety that the Lord hath sent His angel and both delivered me out of the hand of Herod, and from all the expectation of the people of the Jews.
Truly, there is no place to stop. Let us read Rev. 21, and still find the angels of God at work.
Dear readers, I guess I looked at this thought [of the angel of His presence], and felt to rejoice for its presence.
Truly, we are made to rejoice as we feel how great our God is.
Let us pray for all our dear churches.
In sweet bonds,
[Elder] Ira M. Fry From The Banner of Love, November 1973
A couple of years ago I purchased a new family vehicle. My two children participated in the selection process and were quite excited about our family’s new purchase.
Like most children, both could hardly wait to get to school to share their good news with their friends and classmates. The second day my young daughter, who was in the first grade at the time, came out to the vehicle after school where I was waiting to pick her up. Her teacher followed her out to the curb and told me she needed to explain to me the story that my daughter Raye Marie had been telling at the school.
It seems that Raye had gone to school and was rapidly, and excitedly, spreading the word that her Dad over the weekend had bought "some bourbon". Her friends were so cooperative and more than happy to spread the word to their respective parents. By the end of the second day the word was out through out most of her class to kids, parents and teachers that Raye’s Dad had been to the liquor store and stocked up on bourbon, and that I had taken the kids along to the liquor store with me to help me make the selection.
After seeing me arrive to pick up the kids in my new vehicle, the teacher discovered what had taken place. She quickly informed Raye that her father had not bought "some bourbon", but had instead purchased a "Suburban".
It took awhile for Raye to understand her mistake. She did not understand what "bourbon" was, and certainly did not understand how there could be any misunderstanding about her exciting news.
The teacher helped me start correcting the story and it became a humorous incident that the class parents kidded me about for some time.
What is amazing is the way such a story of my purchase of "some bourbon" so quickly spread. What started out as a misunderstanding, and mispronunciation, by a child, was soon converted into "truth" as it rapidly spread. It all turned out pretty innocent for me, but demonstrated to me the potential problems which can be caused, especially when the circumstances are not so "innocent".
How many times have each of us been involved in instances when some news, usually "spicy" gossip, gets quickly spread and with each telling the story gets changed, grew, gets liberally interpreted and becomes more exaggerated as it is told from person to person. Rarely does a story stay the same when we tell it, as when we received it. "Good" gossip spreads not only fast, but it gets "better" with each telling.
How many times have you participated in the spread of some reported gossip about a friend, neighbor or co-worker? How many times has it involved circumstances in your church, or with your pastor, or a member? I am embarrassed to admit that I have and this incident which directly involved me made me realize the problem of engaging in such activity.
It is hard to spread good gossip without adding to its flavor just a little bit with each telling. And it is always so much more fun to spread gossip, adding a little bit to it, than it is to actually talk to the affected party to insure you are spreading the actual truth.
It is because the truth is rarely as good as the things we make up and add to the story.
We usually do not stop to think about the consequences of our gossip. We may not think we are acting in malice when we spread rumors and gossip, but the results are usually just a damaging whether your intent is correct or not. Our tongues work faster than our brains, and certainly faster than our moral training.
The Apostle Paul warns the churches about the problems of "slanderers" and urges the deacons not to be "double-tongued" (I Tim. 3:8,11). King David describes the "wicked", stating that "his mouth is full of cursing and deceit and fraud: under his tongue is mischief and vanity." Psalm 10". While a person that abides with the Lord is one "that backbiteth not with his tongue." Psalm 15:3.
David writes a personal prayer to help him avoid spreading gossip, slander, rumor and falsehoods at Psalm 120:
"Deliver my soul, O Lord, from lying lips, and from a deceitful tongue. What shall be given unto thee? Or what shall be done unto thee, thou false tongue?"
The spread of rumor and gossip is one of the fastest ways to destroy a friendship, or break up a church. Our human nature is to repeat all that we heard, plus add a couple of details based on our interpretation of what we heard. The next person does the same.
If you do not desire to go directly to the person involved to learn the truth, then it would be best to keep the story to yourself.
Our misguided tongues can cause us, and others, a lot of trouble — even when the story starts so innocently.
Dear Sister Opal and family:
I'm sending a check for the Banner of Love. I do enjoy reading it so much. There are so many good things to read.
I hope the Lord will bless all of you to keep up the good work.
May God bless,
Julia Dunn
Stratton [Texas] Church
Keep up the good work. Enjoy the paper very much.
Jimmie Burleson
San Antonio, Texas
Hampton Church is overflowing from God's blessings!
Last June, after our annual meeting was over, Sister Vickie came asking for a home in the church. She was baptized in July.
Her daughter, Heather, then age 10 told me she wanted to join the church and be baptized. I talked with Sister Vickie, who thought it was because she had joined. But as time went on, Heather kept telling me she wanted to join, and started asking questions after services on a lot of Sundays. I visited with sister Vickie again, but she still felt it was because she had joined is why she wanted this.
At the union meeting Heather began to ask other ministers about joining the church. So, I talked with her on Saturday. She said she loved Jesus and wanted to be closer to Him, and to follow Him in baptism. I told her if she felt this way at our next meeting to present herself. I talked with her parents on Sunday and told them what I had told Heather.
Services were held at Cane Creek that Sunday after the union meeting, and Heather came asking for a home in the church.
She was accepted and baptism was set for the 15th after lunch at Cane Creek.
Sunday morning, April 15, her daddy, Terry came asking for a home in the church. He was gladly received and baptism set for that afternoon. It was a wonderful blessing indeed for me to baptize Terry [37] and his oldest daughter, Heather [11] on Easter Sunday afternoon at Cane Creek Church. This family of four now is 75% church members. Praise God! We will wait patiently for the last daughter to come home!
We want to thank Cane Creek for their hospitality and the use of their baptistery. But we want to thank God for His many blessings, and pray He will continue to add to the church, "such as should be saved!" Pray for us, come to see us when you can, we do love to have visitors worship with us. God bless.
Elder Bobby McWhirter, pastor
Hampton Primitive Baptist church
Hampton, AR
Note: Elder McWhirter, this family is now on the mailing list as you suggested. Thank you, and God bless you. Opal Richards
Hampton Church's cup runneth over!
My sister in the flesh, lives in Oklahoma, but has been visiting us pretty regularly, as well as other churches in her area. They were here this last weekend, looking for a place to purchase, as they are wanting to move back here. I have talked with her many times, and the Lord has been visiting her regularly. But she refused to come home to the church. I decided to quit trying to get her to come home, and turned it over to the Lord. Why can't we do that at first? That is what we are instructed to do.
Anyway, at Hampton church yesterday morning, when we sang the song for the hand shake, [I had announced the doors to the church were open] not really expecting anyone to come, but as we started to sing, my sister, Wanda Roberts, 57, came with tears streaming down her face asking for a home in the church, [if the church would have her] with her husband, James, 65, right behind her, asking for a home in the church. [See what the Lord can do when we turn things over to Him?
They were gladly received, and we set baptism for 5 p.m. that afternoon. I had the privilege of baptizing them both at 5:00 yesterday afternoon, at Cane Creek Church. [Thank you again, Elder Hartsel Casey and Cane Creek Church for the use of your baptistery.]
We at Hampton Church feel the Lord has been so gracious to us, and pray we may serve and worship Him in an acceptable manner, trusting He will continue to "add such as should be saved" to His church.
We invite all who have a desire to come worship with us, please pray for us whether you are able to visit us or not.
God Bless,
Hampton PBC, Hampton, AR
Elder Bobby McWhirter, Pastor
ENJOY GETTING THE PAPER
Dear Brother Don:
I see it is time to renew my Banner of Love. I enjoy getting it. Was so sorry to hear of your loss. I know she will be missed very much. It has been a little over three years since I lost my husband, Elder Nolan Pitney; but God has been good to me. Having my church and getting to church every Sunday helps; and the dear sisters in the churches.
This past weekend was our spring meeting, all day Saturday and all day Sunday. We were blessed to have Brother, lic. Marty Hoogasin from Michigan, Elder Tom Pitney, and our pastor, Elder Mark Pitney, my son. We are small in number. Had a wonderful meeting and fellowship. Felt that God was with us in that meeting.
In Christian Love,
Sister Brooksie Pitney
Columbus Grove, Ohio
Am sending $20.00. Use the extra anyway you see fit.
Note: We appreciate the extra Sister Pitney.
We would like to announce an all new web site serving the Primitive Baptists. PB Portal is designed toward helping the churches communicate news and to link information such as Real Audio sermons that are already available on various web sites. The web address is http://pbportal, org.
Submitting a meeting announcement is as easy as clicking a mouse and typing the message. There is also a page for other announcements such as baptisms. You can also submit your prayer requests. Messages will usually be posted the same day pending review by the editor.
Announcements and prayer requests can also be sent by mail to Elder Philip Howell c/o Harmony Primitive Baptist Church, PO Box 512, Barwick, GA 31720.
We will soon have links to Real Audio sermons by Primitive Baptist ministers and hope to add more in the future. We also hope to add more features in the coming months.
PB Portal is designed by Elder Marty Hoskins and edited by Elder Philip Howell. Please pray for this effort.
By Jerry Bass
Regarding the Primitive Baptists, here are 14 undeniable truths with several scriptural references. They are as follows:
1. That Jesus came to earth, born of a virgin to save His elect from their sins. [Matthew 1:21]
2. That the word, Primitive means, first or original.
3. The Lord set up the first true New Testament Church in the first century, and His intention was for it to be a simple worship service, featuring no Sunday schools, choirs, musical instruments, mission societies, and seminaries. The Primitive Baptist follow this pattern in the conducting of their worship service. The service consists only of prayer, a song service, and a doctrinal sermon.
4. Baptism has nothing to do with eternal salvation. [1 Peter 3:21]
5. Doing good works won't assure you a place in heaven. [Titus 3:5, Eph. 2:9].
6 We should love God because He first loved us, which means that it's not necessary to accept the Lord in your heart to obtain eternal salvation. [1 John 4:10. Also check out Eph. 1:6 which follows: To the praise of the glory of His grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.
7. All of God's elect are saved only by His amazing grace [Eph. 5:8]. 8. The doctrines of election and predestination in regards to God's children, are undoubtedly biblically sound. [Eph. 1:4-5]
9. The Lord, never to set foot on earth again, will return a second time, coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory to take His children home. [Matt. 24:30]. His elect will meet Him in the air. [1 Thess. 4:17].
10. After dying on Calvary's Cross, Jesus would be resurrected after three days and nights. [Matthew 12:40.]
11. The washing of the saints feet is a vital part of the communion service. [John 13:14-15.
12. Only the Lord is worthy to be called Reverend. [Psalms 111:9].
13. The only true mode of baptism is immersion. [Matthew 3:16].
14. That women should not be ordained to preach in the church. [1 Tim. 2: 11-12].
I am very blessed to be a member of the only true church on the face of the earth, the Primitive Baptist.
Written with love,
Jerry Bass
Lubbock, Texas
CONTINUE WITH THE PAPER
I pray that the Lord will give you health to continue with the publication. I feel the Lord has blessed you to publish a very good paper.
Yours in hope,
Elder Ralph Culey
Richmond, IN.
There seems to be considerable thought processes ref. Full contexts-Panorama. I offer the following for study purposes.
2nd Tim. 3:16 shows four areas where the Divinely Inspired Holy Scriptures are profitable=
1. For doctrine, 2. Reproof, 3. Correction, 4. Instruction.
Now, let us consider this verse in its true contextual teaching. Are all scriptures divinely inspired? Oh, yes. Next, are all scriptures for doctrine? Oh, no. Now, are all scriptures for reproof? Oh, No. Also, are all scriptures for correction? Oh, No. Finally, are all scriptures for instruction? Oh, Yes, technically, every scripture could be deemed "instructional."
Example- Prov. 20:1- "Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging, and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise." Is this text in Divinely inspired? Oh, Yes. Is this text Doctrine? OH, No. Then all scripture is not vital for Doctrine, All mainstream Old School Baptist are harmonically together on the Vital Doctrine-Fundamentals, yet several therein might disagree on just exactly whether Prov. 20:1 was teaching Reproof, Correction, Instruction.
Even so, then there would still be Unity and Fellowship on the Vital doctrinal points, yet we would not all be completely unified on the "Needle-threading" points of other scriptures' teachings. Okay the word vital means life-alive, not death or dead. Regeneration or the New birth is vital. Calvary's Cross is Death, not vital, but it is legal, vitality means much alive, even manifesting life. Prov. 20:1 is not vital. It has as its context that which is Reproof, Correction and Instruction, but certainly not Doctrine-Vital; yet it still is very much "Divinely Inspired."
Next= My Dad told me many years ago, that most texts have at least a Two-fold teaching. Most Timely texts really also embrace a great future Eternal Principle. My experiences have taught me that this is very true.
For example= 2nd Peter 3 is teaching us while in time [in the Gospel Church Age], that we should be looking forward to the Eternal [principle Application. Now that is so simple. Also, the same for Matt, 24 & Jude, and Rev. 21 - Timely with a View Toward the future End-Time. Notice how Rev. 21, as the View and Scene changes at V. 10.
Next = Please consider the Contextual Time Factors [plural] in these following texts. Job 19:25-27- "For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth: And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God: whom I shall see for myself, and mine eyes shall behold, and not another; though my reigns be consumed within me."
How many different time factors are involved in this Context? Are they all one and the same or different? Think about this "3-Fold Time-Factor" context. Carefully consider= Now, if we hold to an extreme position that no position is viable and authentic unless it can be "proven by the Bible," then remember - Psalms 119:96 - "I have seen the end of all perfection: but thy commandment is exceeding broad." So if we put a narrow restriction on any text we are violating the "exceeding broad" concept.
Now lastly= Let me use one further thought- let me say that you yourself have experienced this in everyday life. As you are driving your car down the highway, you notice off to the right a farm house, a white-framed house with picket fence, a red barn, some cows, and horses in the pasture, next to the barn. A John Deere Tractor is parked next to the barn. A red Ford Pickup is parked in the driveway. A brown dog is standing next to the pick-up. This scene is only a hundred yards away, and simultaneously in the same view [same direction] you can see another scene of very similar dimensions, situated just another 400 yards up on the little hillside. Another farm house, barn, some cows, and horses in the adjoining pasture, with the same type of green tractor barn, and another red pickup , but farther away. This second view is not as distinct, but clearly identifiable. Here is one look you see two scenes- a double take.
You do not even have to turn your head, but just look straight ahead. You cannot keep from seeing both areas as you look. The scriptures do the same thing, and sometimes even more than just two scenes. This is the exact "double view" of Job 19:25-27. This fulfills what Paul told Timothy in 2nd Tim. 2:15 - "Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not be ashamed, Rightly dividing the word of truth."
Yes, there are Contexts without much content then there are contexts with much content. However, let us always strive for the full content of each context to the full. Yes, the full context requires panorama-wide angle.
In closing, I have found in many contexts, an historical past, a present, a future Time, and even, finally the End-Time, and the New beginnings in Eternity. Enough,
Compiled by Hulan Bass [elder]
Lockhart, Texas.
At the request of the Tuckaleeche, Primitive Baptist Church of Townsend, TN on April 14, 2001 for the purpose of ordaining Brother Elvin Dick to the office of Deacon.
Elders in the presbytery were: James Cooper, J. B. Huskey, Marvin Smith and Ralph Smith. Deacons in the presbytery were: Zirkle Johnston, Henry Wolfenbarger, Isham Hooser, W. B. Ogle, Everett R. Mallicoat and Wm. Blankenship.
After the presbytery was seated and had expressed its satisfaction with each other and the appointments, the moderator inquired of the church spokesman, Bill Blankenship, if the church was satisfied with the presbytery. The answer was in the affirmative.
At the request of the church, the presbytery entered into the business of ordaining the candidate for the office of deacon. At the request of the moderator, Elder Cooper, the church spokesman, brought the candidate forward and placed him before the presbytery. The moderator then instructed the candidate as to the function of the presbytery and of their privilege to appeal to the moderator as to any question that seemed out of order or difficult to understand.
He then proceeded to question the church spokesman as to the church's feelings regarding Brother Dick's qualifications to serve as deacon. All questions were answered to the satisfaction of the presbytery.
Elder J. B. Huskey then came forth and examined the candidate as to his understanding of the doctrines and practices of the Primitive Baptist Church. The candidate answered the questions in a straight forward manner and to the satisfaction of the presbytery. By motion and second, the presbytery voted to proceed. Brother Houser offered prayer before proceeding.
Elder Marvin Smith then offered the ordination prayer, which was followed by laying on of hands by the presbytery.
Elder James Cooper then came forward and delivered the charge to the candidate, referring to several scriptures that deal with the qualifications and duties of the deacon. When the charge was completed, as Sister Darlene sat beside him, the moderator inquired if the church was satisfied with the work of the presbytery. The church's spokesman replied that it was. At this time the candidate was returned to the church as an ordained deacon and the right hand of fellowship was extended.
The presbytery was dissolved by move and second, and prayer was offered by Brother Zirkle Johnston.
The church then sang a song of praise, then benediction was offered up by Brother Willie Ogle.
By Sister Gustave [Richards] Wade
"We know in part and see in part," we often get anxious to fully know things: There is one thing I would like to know for sure above everything, if my name was written in the book of life, if it were, and I knew this fact, I would never fear that heaven would not be my home.
The Dear Lord has given us faith and hope, these blessed principles abide.
I would continually beg the dear Lord to increase my faith if only I knew how to approach His blessed throne, but I receive great consolation from the scriptures, "the spirit maketh intercession for us with groanings that cannot be uttered," I feel sure the Lord knows our hearts and interests for it is recorded in the Bible He does.
M. G. Brainiard said, "I go on, not knowing; I would rather walk in the dark with Him by faith, than walk alone by sight."
So, I would try to be reconciled to every care and trial of life and hope I will live with God by faith here and heaven some day, after which I hope He has led me along through many dangers, toils and snares, all my life, I feel a great desire to struggle on."
The Banner of Love, Oct. 1, 1939
We are living in a time in history that everyone wants to sell out. There are different reasons why people sell out, most of the time they feel that there is a profit or a gain that they will receive when doing this. Sometimes we sell out not realizing what will be the end result. Sometimes it may be to our best interest and sometimes it will be a disaster in our lives.
I worked for a testing and inspection company for 27 years and in the last five years that I was with them, the sold out several times. Each time that the company sold, it got harder and harder to work for. Each time that it sold, more employees lost their jobs and the ones of us that were able to hang on took great cuts in benefits which leads me to the subject under consideration.
In Proverbs chapter 23, verse 23 says; Buy the truth, and sell it not; also wisdom, and instruction, and understanding. I do not know of any passage of scripture recorded in this book, called the Bible that is as important to the child of grace that understands the truth as it is in Christ Jesus.
There have been many of God's children that have been raised in the true Church of Christ, that the truth of the gospel came to them in the power of the spirit and in much assurance and they rejoiced in it, thanked God for it, told other people about it and then sold out.
I have seen this happen many times through the years and every time that I see it occur, it is very saddening. The text says; Buy the truth, and sell it not. The word, buy in the Hebrew carries the thought of; to attain, to redeem, to recover, to possess, create, to obtain and is used as in requiring knowledge and wisdom. This is such a blessing to us in this day and time that we live to have the blessings of the truth to comfort us, to assure us and to reassure us over and over again. If you have been blessed to see, to understand, to attain, to create, to possess the truth, to love the truth, then we are to hold on to it, because this truth comes from God Himself.
How is it that we can sell the truth? The text tells us to sell it not indicating that we can have it and then sell it. There are many different groups of religious people that do not possess the truth as it is in Christ. They are good God fearing people, but are going about to establish their own righteousness. And so often our children will marry someone of a different faith or order and the first thing that takes place is that a disagreement comes up of what truth is.
This will go on for sometime of what church to attend, then sometimes an agreement will be made something like this. We will go to your church this Sunday and then we will go to my church next Sunday. When this takes place we are selling the truth. The truth should be so important to us that we will cling to it with all the energy that we possess. You might say, well, I'm going to go to church with my wife or my husband in order to have peace in the family. I'm sure that God will understand that and bless me in it. Buy the Truth and sell it not.
I looked up the words, sell it not and it carries this thought; As to sell oneself, or to surrender yourself in slavery. The truth brings freedom, liberty and comfort. Untruth takes away this liberty, freedom and comfort. In Jude, the third verse Paul says; Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints. Paul is telling us that this is something that I have preached to you, you have understood and now I am writing you and exhorting you in this letter of this great truth, of this great deliverance, this great salvation of how that we were sanctified by God the Father, and preserved in Jesus Christ, and called as recorded in verse one. That ye earnestly contend for the faith, once delivered unto the saints.
The word, contend, from the Greek carries this thought; To struggle for, as to compete for a prize. Sometimes contending for the truth seems hard, but the blessings that comes through contending brings forth a peace and a joy that passeth all understanding.
I will end this message with, buy the truth and sell it not; wisdom, and instruction, and understanding. That is to be skilful and wise as to your instruction, correction and discipline in your discernment as to separate mentally and to consider and view wisely. AMEN: