O n C o m p r o m i s e

“The world, indeed, seems to be weary of the just, righteous, holy ways of God, and of that exactness in walking according to His institutions and commands which it will be one day known that He doth require. But the way to put a stop to this declension is not by accommodating the commands of God to the corrupt courses and ways of men. The truths of God and the holiness of His precepts must be pleaded and defended, though the world dislike them here and perish hereafter. His law must not be made to lackey after the wills of men, nor be dissolved by vain interpretations, because they complain they cannot -- indeed, because they will not -- comply with it. Our Lord Jesus Christ came not to destroy the law and the prophets, but to fulfill them, and to supply men with spiritual strength to fulfill them also. It is evil to break the least commandment; but there is a great aggravation of that evil in them that shall teach men so to do.”

... John Owen (1616-1683), Sermons

ENDURANCE

It is no hard matter to adhere to God while you are in the enjoyment of His comforts and consolations; but if you would prove your fidelity to Him, you must be willing to follow Him through the paths of dryness and desertion. The truth of a friend is not known while he is receiving favours and benefits from us; but if he remain faithful to us when we treat him with coldness and neglect, it will be a proof of the sincerity of his attachment. ... Backhouse and Janson, A Guide to True Peace

Assignments: September 20, 1998

Announcements: Terry Haith Opening Prayer: Terry Haith / Shane Bass

Closing Prayer: Morris Bass / Charles Fair Song Leader: Gary Bass / Aaron Bass

Scripture Reading: Shane Bass / Chris Holp Lord’s Supper: Sam Holden / Dan Head / Wesley Holt

Building Cleanup: McGrew

T HE SPIRIT’S SWORD

“And take...the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God” (Eph. 6:17)

The Northside church of Christ

Meeting at the North Bellingham Grange Hall · 5201 Northwest Road · Bellingham, WA

Visit our Web Site on the Internet: http:// www.davisinet.com/northsidecofc

Volume II, No. 31 September 20, 1998

SIGNS OF DECAY

WHEN the way to the meeting house SEEMS TOO FAR,

WHEN it seems TOO MUCH TROUBLE to get ready or

to get out in the weather to go to the service,

WHEN the singing comes HARD and SEEMS DREARY,

WHEN the sermon seems much TOO LONG,

WHEN you see much you DISLIKE in the brethren,

WHEN the preacher's or teacher's lessons make you MAD,

WHEN the members frequently say things that OFFEND you,

WHEN PRAYER is a BURDEN,

WHEN the reading of the BIBLE is DULL and puts you to sleep,

WHEN it FRETS you to be called on to GIVE more,

WHEN you try to make EXCUSES FOR YOUR SINS and try to

per­suade yo­urself that God will NOT PUNISH or Judge,

WHEN you feel you are being SLIGHTLY NEGLECTED,

WATCH OUT!!

SPIRITUAL DECAY!!!

THINGS CONTAGIOUS

Joe R. Price

All of us have experienced "catching" something from our kids, our neighbors or our fellow workers. The flu, running noses, sore throats and more -- all are examples of things contagious.

Spiritually speaking, there are a number of things which are also "catching." Some, we must avoid. Others, we should want to catch.

Try catching.....

1. A GOOD INFLUENCE. A good influence is only obtained through hard work (Phil. 2:12-16). But, we are often helped in this effort by the good influences of others. "Even so let your light shine before men; that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven." (Matthew 5:16)

2. GODLY COMMUNICATION. Our speech is very often patterned after what we hear. Children learn good or bad speech by what they hear from their parents and playmates. "Let no corrupt speech proceed out of your mouth.... edifying as the need may be, that it may give grace to them that hear." (Ephesians 4:29)

3. ZEAL. Like fire catches the dry blades of grass, turning the mountainside into an inferno, our zeal for the Lord's work can help others become "fired up" for Him. "...in diligence not slothful; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord." (Romans 12:11)

Become immune to.....

1. GOSSIP. Like a cancer, gossip grows until it hurts many innocent souls. Remember, it takes a listener to make a gossip! "Who shall dwell in thy holy hill?...He that slandereth not with his tongue...." (Psalms 15:1-3)

2. ENVY. How do you feel and react over the good fortunes of another person? We should "rejoice with them that rejoice" (Romans 12:15). However, envy looks at the advantages of others with "an evil eye" (Mark 7:22) of discontent and resentment. Envy is infectious -- it likes company!

3. WORLDLINESS. The enticements of this world will one day pass away (1 Jno. 2:17). Therefore, we must "deny...worldly lusts" (Titus 2:12) and do God's will in order to "abide forever" (1 John 2:17).

ILLUMINATION OR EDUCATION?

Joe R. Price

Many people believe in the doctrine of "illumination" as being part of the Holy Spirit's work. As stated in THE BAPTIST FAITH AND MESSAGE,

"Illumination is the Holy Spirit's work as he enlightens the human mind with spiritual understanding in order that man might grasp the revealed truth....The Spirit still illumines the mind and heart of every serious student of God's Word so that he may discover truths hitherto unknown to him" (Hershel Hobbs, page 21).

We are told that one can understand the scriptures only as the Holy Spirit enlightens the mind with understanding. Thus, it is taught that the Holy Spirit leads a person to an understanding of the Bible in a personal way which is separate and apart from the Bible.

The LDS Church also teaches an "illumination" doctrine. As one Mormon stated,

"It is my contention that Timothy could not have 'rightly divided the word of truth' without revelation through the gift of the Holy Spirit." (Alma Allred, ALLRED-PRICE EXCHANGE ON THE NATURE OF REVELATION).

Mormonism teaches that one must receive a personal revelation from the Holy Spirit in order to understand God's written revelation, the Bible.

Both of these approaches to understanding the Bible makes God responsible for both "enlightening" a man or "keeping him in the dark." Man's role in learning truth is minimized, and a false hope is fostered (as men are taught to expect personal guidance from the Holy Spirit).

The Holy Spirit's work in bringing man to an understanding of divine truth was fully accomplished in the revelation of truth (Jno. 16:13; Gal. 1:12), the miraculous confirmation of that truth (Mk. 16:20; 1 Cor. 2:4-5; Heb. 2:3-4), and the inspiration of its proclamation (1 Cor. 2:13; 2 Pet. 1:21; 2 Tim. 3:16). Where is any scripture that teaches a separate function of the Holy Spirit, namely, "illumination," before man can understand revealed truth to its fullest?

God's plan for bringing man to an understanding of His revealed word is through education, not illumination. That is, God expects you and me to exercise ourselves in the hearing, studying and learning process if we are to understand His word, the Bible (cf. Rom. 10:17; Jno. 20:30-31; 2 Tim. 2:15; Acts 17:11-12; Eph. 3:3-4; Neh. 8:8).

The Bible, as it has been revealed by God, is capable of being under­stood. God calls upon us to educate ourselves in His truth so that we might obey Him and have His blessings (Matt. 7:24-27; Jas. 1:25). So, do not wait for divine "illumination" before obeying the gospel. God's word is the "light" (Psa. 119:105) we must learn to use it!