The world is increasingly becoming more belligerent toward Christianity and blasphemous toward God Himself. One example is found in an article by Dr. Michael Cohen. He wrote, “Are you aware that the greatest truth in your life that you can trust is not God, images, love, honesty, nature, or spirit? Your most trustable truth is what you experience in this moment, or at any moment.” Nonsensical statements such as this remind us of a statement made in the movie A Few Good Men by Colonel Nathan R. Jessep. While being asked for a truthful account while under oath, he blurted out, “You can’t handle the truth.”

Spiritual rebellion in man often makes him unable to handle real truth. The greatest truth that you can trust is not your perceived experiences or emotions. Our greatest truth that we can trust in is God and His Word! Paul assures Titus that we can confidently rest “In hope of eternal life [based on faith in the Lord Jesus Christ] which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began” (Titus 1:2). Our apostle of grace was basically reiterating a concept the Holy Spirit repeated over and over throughout God’s Word. In the Song of Moses, Moses wrote of Jehovah saying, “He is the Rock [of power and truth], His work is perfect…a God of truth and without iniquity, just and right is He” (Deuteronomy 32:4). King David wrote, “And now, O Lord God, Thou art that God, and Thy words be true…” (II Samuel 7:28). David continued in the Psalms saying that He “which made heaven, and earth, the sea, and all that therein is [He] which keepeth truth forever” (Psalm 146:6). Almost as if addressing the detractors of our faith today, Paul wrote, “For what if some did not believe? Shall their unbelief make the faith [faithfulness] of God without effect? God forbid: yea, let God be true [in your conclusions], but every man a liar” (Romans 3:3-4). We should maintain our confidence in everything God tells us in His written Word because “…it was impossible for God [in His holiness] to lie, [therefore] we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope [of eternal life] set before us” (Hebrews 6:18).

The unchangeable truth about our unchangeable God is that He cannot lie. That makes absolutely everything recorded in Scripture absolute truth. Rest and rejoice in this today.

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Americans cherish the right we have to freedom of speech. But did you know there are limits to this freedom? When the police arrested a street preacher, he called them “racketeers” and “facists.” Subsequently, in 1942, the Supreme Court handed down the Chaplinsky Decision upholding the arrest. The court said that certain categories of speech fall outside the limits of constitutional protection: These include “the lewd, the profane, the libelous, and the insulting or ‘fighting’ words…which by their very utterance inflict injury or tend to incite an immediate breach of the peace.”

The Apostle Paul sought to spare believers from experiences where their peace would be stolen through needless bickering and debates. Therefore, he told Timothy, “Of these things put them in remembrance, charging them before the Lord that they strive not about words to no profit, but to the subverting of the hearers” (II Timothy 2:14). This in no way implies that Christians are not to speak out when very important truths are attacked. Paul told Timothy it was “a faithful saying” that Christ came “to save sinners” (I Timothy 1:15), then he went on to specify that God “…will have all men to be saved…” (I Timothy 2:4). When false teachers were compromising the clarity of the Gospel of Grace, Paul emphatically told the saints not to listen to them but “let him be accursed” (Galatians 1:8). When Jews sought to place Gentile converts under the Mosaic Law, Paul said, “…to whom we gave… subjection, no, not for an hour; that the truth of the gospel might continue with you” (Galatians 2:5). When Peter withdrew from Gentile converts, therein implying they could not be saved, Paul “withstood him to the face, because he was to be blamed” (Galatians 2:11). However, Paul specified that there are discussions Christians should avoid. He tells Timothy to “shun profane and vain [empty] babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness” (II Timothy 2:16). When more heat than light is being shed on a subject, it will only lead to sinful words and attitudes. In fact, “their word will eat as doth a canker…[and can] overthrow the faith of some” (II Timothy 2:17-18). This is particularly true when fundamental doctrines of our faith are questioned, such as the proven resurrection of the dead. Such truths as these are the very “foundation of God” (II Timothy 2:19) for our faith.

Some are just looking for an argument, and others seek to destroy the faith of Christians. When this is apparent, just walk away.

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Courtney was a young mother who wore an extremely short miniskirt to church and unquestionably exposed entirely too much of herself. A deacon’s wife called her to confront her about wearing immodest clothing in a place of worship. To her credit, Courtney took the conversation well. She appreciated being spoken to directly rather than being complained about to others, and she realized her clothing was an immature uncaring act to brothers in Christ. From that day forward she threw immodest clothing away and diligently tried to dress modestly.

From the beginning of human history, both nature and God have taught that clothing sufficient to cover the body should be worn. As soon as Adam and Eve committed sin, they sewed fig leaves together to cover their nakedness (Genesis 3:7), which God replaced with animal skins (vs. 21). Ever since, it seems like Satan has been trying to unclothe us. When any stage of immodesty takes place, it is a sign of ungodliness. When Israel worshipped a molten calf, “Moses saw that the people were naked…naked unto their shame” (Exodus 32:25). We must realize that sinful actions often follow immodesty. When David saw Bathsheba “washing herself” (II Samuel 11:2), adultery, deceit, and murder soon followed. Similarly, when the stepdaughter of King Herod seductively danced before him, he succumbed to her request to murder John the Baptist (Matthew 14:1-10). It is indisputable that women have great seductive power over men, and, especially for Christian women, with that power comes a great responsibility. Therefore, the Apostle Paul gave instruction that “…women adorn themselves in modest apparel” (I Timothy 2:9). It has become commonplace for women and girls to wear plunging necklines, transparent fabrics, extremely short tight shorts or dresses, and even far worse. The world finds this acceptable, but it certainly is not for Christian women. Paul tells us the standard should be “modest apparel” (vs. 9) and only that “…which becometh women professing godliness” (vs. 10). That means that if a woman is exposed when bending or sitting, if her clothing would entice impure thoughts, or if she would cover up if suddenly in the presence of the Savior, then her clothing is unacceptably immodest. This by no means absolves men from thinking and acting in pure moral ways, but women must be careful not to dress in a way “…whereby thy brother stumbleth, or is offended, or is made weak” (Romans 14:21).

Ladies, choose today to become a real model, one of exemplary modesty!

Your Savior will be therein glorified.

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Chesley Christian wrote on Facebook about a Christian friend who we will call Dan.  Dan is considered a solid Christian who has been abstinent for years and is ready for a wife. However, he has become impatient in waiting for God to send him “the one.” When an attractive co-worker approached Dan requesting a short fling, he consented. Dan knew it was wrong and that the relationship wouldn’t last long, but he said he was “tired of doing the right thing” and he had “needs.” Deeply saddened, Chesley wrote, “Too many times I have encountered Christian singles who are sexually tempted, because they were tired of doing the right thing for so long.”

It is a reality that many Christians become tired of doing the right thing. Even after years of physical purity, Bible reading, maintaining sound doctrine, church attendance, and actively serving the Savior, Christ’s blood bought-believers are prone to waver. Too many simply stop doing the right thing. The same was true in the days of the Apostle Paul. He pled with the saints “But ye, brethren, be not weary in well doing” (II Thessalonians 3:13). Elsewhere he explained how and why Christians must remain faithful. In Galatians 6:9, Paul’s encouragement was, “And let us not be weary in well doing; for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not” (Galatians 6:9). While we Christians often reap satisfying spiritual blessing from doing right in this life, we will receive bountiful eternal reward if we keep our eyes fixed on the prize of the high calling in Christ. As someone once said, “We must not sacrifice the permanent on the altar of the immediate.” Paul also pointed out the motivation of opportunity and responsibility in ministry. He told the Corinthians, “Therefore, seeing we have this ministry… we faint not” (II Corinthians 4:1). We must remain faithful because others are counting on our faithfulness. Additionally, sometimes when we falter we never return to a proper walk, nor do opportunities to effectively serve Christ as before. Paul also reminded the saints of their source of strength by saying, “…though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day” (II Corinthians 4:16). God does not expect us to continue to do the right thing in our own strength. He provides the spiritual strength needed when we stay in His Word daily.

Have you grown weary in well doing? The stakes are too high to shrink from the ranks of the faithful. Keep doing the right thing.

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It was this author’s privilege to be saved through the ministry of a vibrant and growing church. This church had what they called a “Timothy Program.” Whenever someone was led to Christ, a seasoned Christian was assigned to the new believer. They attempted to meet weekly with the new convert over a meal to establish a relationship, and then to guide this new Christian through an organized Bible Study program that covered all the fundamentals of the faith. These new believers were invited to sit with other believers in church services, attend mid-week Bible studies, and invited into the homes of mature believers. Not surprisingly, the results were phenomenal.

Quite often when Christians lead a lost soul to a saving knowledge of Christ, we simply cease ministering to them. But we must not forget to genuinely attempt to continue ministering to them in an effective way that will ground them in truth, establish them in the faith, and encourage them to grow in Christ. The ministry of the Apostle Paul with those at Thessalonica is a shining example of effective follow-up and discipleship. Paul told them he had been “gentle among you” (I Thessalonians 2:7). Just as one would be gentle with a newborn, we must be gentle with babes in Christ. It doesn’t work to try to force spiritual food down their throat or be demanding with requirements. Instead, Paul slayed his converts with love. He could tell those at Thessalonica he was “affectionately desirous of you” (vs. 8). Most people can tell when you genuinely love them, and they will usually respond well. Paul also was willingly sacrificial, or giving, to his converts. He told them “we were willing to have imparted unto you…also our own souls, because ye were dear unto us” (vs. 8). Caring enough to buy a meal or a Bible can have a great impact. Paul also provided a good example in his work ethic (vs. 9) and in godliness. He could tell them to remember his “laboring night and day…and…how holily and justly and unblameably we behaved ourselves among you that believe” (vss. 9-10). People will be turned off by a phony Christian, but everyone appreciates and respects a genuine Christ-like example that they can emulate. Finally, Paul encouraged his converts with exhortation, comfort, firm instruction, and pleas to truly walk worthy of the Savior who died for them (vss. 11-12).

Seize the opportunity to mentor a new believer whenever possible. Do so by practicing the principles for follow-up seen in Paul.

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