The God of Heaven: Exacting and Merciful
Holger W. Neubauer

The dual nature of God rings throughout all the pages of inspiration. I John 4:8 proclaims that the being of God "is love." The Hebrew writer stated that it is a "fearful thing" to fall into His hands. God is both "a consuming fire" (Heb. 12:29) and a "shield" (Ps. 84:11). His balance is further declared by the great apostle as he said, "Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God" (Rom. 11:22). His truth and mercy meet perfectly together (Ps. 85:10). Though some see a contradiction in the ideas of love and wrath, the Scripture simply confirms this concept as completeness or as His way of being "perfect" (II Sam. 22:31). God, though holding all men accountable to His law (Acts 17:30-31), extends His mercy and grace to all who turn from their sins and meet His terms of forgiveness.

God has always been the sovereign ruler of the universe. He has therefore never allowed His laws to be tampered with without retribution. When Adam violated the one positive precept the Lord delivered, he was expelled from the Utopian Eden and the fiery sword which turned in every direction served as a powerful reminder that sin has consequences (Gen. 3:23-24). When Uzzah touched the ark of the covenant he was immediately killed (II Sam. 6:6-7). Moses smote the rock rather than speaking to it as God had decreed and was not allowed to enter the promised land until after his death (Num. 20:12; Matt. 17:1). Ananias and Sapphira were smitten dead for lying (Acts 5:1-11). Herod was eaten up by worms for not giving God His proper glory and Elymas the sorcerer was blinded (Acts 12:23; 13:11). Certainly God is not like a spiritual Santa Claus that simply grants wishes when inexpensive tokens are placed as offerings before Him. After listing a number of severe judgments of God the apostle Paul clarified, "Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples; and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come (I Cor. 10:11). God's justice will not allow Him to acquit the wicked (Nah. 1:3). For this cause every accountable individual ought to recognize and know that Jehovah God is not to be mocked for He has promised all will reap what they have sown (Gal. 6:7-8).

Though God's nature is sure and unchangeable (Mal. 3:6), His tender mercies are intended for all for God desires each individual to be saved (I Tim. 2:4). During the time of the judges a recurring cycle of events demonstrated God's love for His people. When Israel sinned, God raised up a nation to punish His people, but when Israel repented the Lord raised up a judge to deliver His people from the oppression. After Jeremiah looked over the smoldering ashes of Jerusalem and considered His righteous judgments, he penned these hopeful words, "It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness" (Lam. 3:22-23). The amazing grace of God allowed Judah to rebuild and God's grace still allows the rebuilding of our lives today. Not one accountable individual that has ever lived on the earth of human origin could be justified before God without His grace. This is true of unbaptized aliens and members of the Lord's body as well. Even members of the Lord's church need to trust the Lord's mercy by repentance and prayer (Acts 8:22). By walking in the light of God's Word, Jesus' cleansing blood is promised to continue to work its marvelous purpose (I John 1:7). If those who have sinned against God would repent and turn from their evil ways and confess their faults as openly as they have been committed, the God of heaven who is able to save the uttermost (Heb. 7:25) will also save them. Each of use must keep ourselves in His love and mercy (Jude 21). Each of us should rely upon His promises of eternal life and keep the hope burning in our hearts (Titus 1:2). Each of us must learn to trust and obey and recognize that we are what we are by His marvelous grace (I Cor. 15:10).

Is God exacting? Absolutely so. Is God merciful? Again, absolutely so. His perfect balance should serve as our ideal model for all that we do. His revealed will ought to fill us with reverence and compassion for others. As we learn of Him let us be willing to teach. Before Isaiah became a willing volunteer to go as a spokesman to Israel, the God of heaven revealed His own holiness which caused Isaiah to see his need for forgiveness. After the smoldering ember from the altar of God touched the prophet's lips, he experienced grace and mercy. Isaiah then boldly said, "Here am I; send me" (Isa. 6:1-8). Let us then see God in this complete way that we too will be brave volunteers in the Lord's army.

Editorial
Malcolm L. Hill

As we are passing through troubled waters in the church of Christ, people are beginning to ask, "What is going to happen to the church of Christ?" Well, none of us may be able to answer this question completely but there is one thing for sure, and that is the church will not go out of existence. The kingdom of God stands sure (II Tim. 2:19). The kingdom of God cannot be moved or removed (Heb. 12:28). The seed of the church or kingdom is the Word of God (Luke 8:11). As long as the seed remains the church will remain. The Word of God is here forever (Matt. 24:35; I Pet. 1:25), therefore the kingdom of God is here forever.

It is a very well-known fact that we are in a terrible apostasy at the present. It is worse than the apostasy of the 1800s. It is more deceptive and covered up. Peole are moving at a much faster pace today than in the 1800s. They are able to go places and do things. Most people have more than enough money to live well in this age. Another plaguing thing is television and now add to this computers and things that can be done with computers. Television could be a wonderful blessing to us and computers could be and are of much help, but they take away time from that which is more important—the study of the Bible. The devil has a lot of things going for his work and he knows it. Some of these things are not bad within themselves but they have the ability to claim most of our interest and time and here is where the trouble sets in. We could take care of the matter if we wished to do so strongly enough, but this is where the trouble sets in. The majority of folks do not will to do so strongly enough. Some will leave the TV and go to the computer or some will leave the computer and go to the TV. Most of the available time we have is taken up with the material and things that amuse. Little time is left for God and His holy Word. Will this ever change? I do not know, but I must say I doubt that it will.

There is so little concern for God and his way today that it is deplorable. Notice I did not say anything about going to church. Some seem to think that going to church is equal to great concern about God and doing His will. One may go to church all the time and yet his mind is in the wrong direction or on the wrong things. What good is going to church every time the doors are open while at the same time one is believing and living as he pleases? This is where a great many church members are today! It is virtually impossible to arouse some out of their slumber of "don't know and don't care." Are they aware of the trouble the church is in at the present? Who knows? One thing for sure we can know is that many in the church have lost their respect for the Word of God. It no longer rules them not do they look to it for authority in religion.

Now with a church filled with complacency and unconcern and a church that does not know the Bible and does not care to learn the Bible what can be done? I answer with a resounding: "Not too much can be done!"

In view of what has been said we ask the question that we have been asked many times of late: "What is going to happen to the church of the Lord?" My opinion is as follows:

1. We will still have the antis in their little world of anti-ism.
2. We will have the liberals hanging onto their liberalism like the Christian church has done since 1906. Some of these liberals will digress even more and join themselves to denominational bodies. The liberals will continue to fellowship denominational bodies more and more openly and without much reservation. They will take on names like The Fellowship, The Assembly, The Family of God, The Christian Fellowship, The Community Church, etc. They will do this for the sake of numbers as well as to be accepted and to take away any resentment and bad taste that might have been there in times past
3. There will be another part of the church that will try to get along with all sides. Most all of our Christian schools and universities along wtih many of our religious journals will follow this path—some more and some less. Many of our so-called "name" preachers will follow this course. There may be a few of them that will repent and come back home along with some congregations, but few they will be.
4. There will be a remnant that will remain true to the Lord. They have not cared and will not care about being popular, nor are they interested in the ever-present political machine within the church. These brethren will start new congregations in cities and towns across this country and around the world. To my way of thinking it will be a new beginning of the restoration movement. The faithful brethren will be found again across the railroad tracks and in various kinds of rented buildings.

Maybe this is the way the Lord has for removing the wood, hay, and stubble out of the church. It may be His way of keeping the church pure and undenominational. This I know: He still rules and all is well! He has the whole world in His hands!

Why Men Do Not Obey God
Ronald D. Gilbert

Obedience to God's Word is essential. Consider the words of Hebrews 5:8-9: "Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered; And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him." The parable of the talents shows what will happen to those who fail to do God's will: "And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth . . . And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal" (Matt. 25:30, 46). Peter raises a question that God's Word clearly answers. He asks, ". . . what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?" (I Pet. 4:17). Why do men fail to obey God? There is no single answer to this question but many different answers.

Some do not obey God because of the cost involved. In Luke 18:18-23 we read of a rich young ruler who came to Jesus asking what he needed to do to inherit eternal life. Jesus looked into this man's heart and saw covetousness. Jesus told him to sell what he had and follow Him. Notice the man's reaction: "And when he heard this, he was very sorrowful: for he was very rich" (Luke 18:23). He refused to obey Jesus because it cost too much. Some today are not willing to pay the price of obedience. Interestingly, Jesus let the man walk away and did now lower the price to get the man to come back.

On one occasion some thought Jesus' teaching was hard. "Many therefore of his disciples, when they had heard this, said, This is an hard saying; who can hear it?" (John 6:60). They did not like what they heard. Similarly, some today will "obey" the things they agree with but not the things they disagree with. Some will not accept what the Bible says about baptism for the remission of sins. Others ignore what Jesus said in Matthew 19:9 concerning marriage and divorce. These are hard sayings to them and they will not obey.

Pride keeps many from obeying God. There are examples of this in the book of Jeremiah. "The prophets prophesy falsely, and the priests bear rule by their means; and my people love to have it so: and what will ye do in the end thereof?" (Jer. 5:31). "Thus saith the Lord, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls. But they said, We will not walk therein" (Jer. 6:16). Clearly the people of Jeremiah's day were rebellious and filled with pride. Pharoah demonstrated this attitude also. "And Pharoah said, Who is the Lord, that I should obey his voice to let Israel go? I know not the Lord, neither will I let Israel go" (Exod. 5:2).

Some fail to obey God because they feel the time is not right. They are like Felix who said to Paul, "Go thy way for this time; when I have a convenient season, I will call for thee" (Acts 24:25). Felix, like so many others, wanted to obey God on his timetable. Obeying God is not convenient with many and does not fit into their plans.

In Luke 8:11-15 Jesus taught great lessons concerning the hearts of men. "Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God. Those by the way side are they that hear; then cometh the devil, and taketh away the word out of their hearts, lest they should believe and be saved. They on the rock are they, which, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no root, which for a while believe, and in time of temptation fall away. And that which fell among thorns are they, which, when they have heard, go forth, and are choked with cares and riches and pleasures of this life, and bring no fruit to perfection. But that on the good ground are they, which in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience." These four soils represent the four kinds of hearts that men have. Some fall to temptation. Others are choked with the cares, riches and pleasures of this life. Here is another reason man fails to obey. Some are "lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God" (II Tim. 3:4). The love of pleasure will keep many from the joys of heaven.

God wants all men to be saved (I Tim. 2:4; II Pet. 3:9). But only those who obey will be saved (Matt. 7:21; Rev. 22:14). We need to keep in mind what will happen to those who fail to obey God. "And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power" (II Thess. 1:7-9).

These are a few of the many reasons why men do not obey God. Saul learned a great lesson on obedience. "And Samuel said, Hath the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams" (I Sam. 15:22). Man is a free moral agent and the choice is clearly his. "Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men" (Acts 5:29). If on the day of judgment we are among the disobedient it will be of little significance as to why we disobeyed God.

Politics and the Church
David Hill

A few years ago I had the privilege of hearing an older gospel preacher preach on the subject of problems facing the church. I believe the lesson helped me more than any one lesson I've ever heard on the subject, because he spoke from his obvious years of experience and wisdom putting the problems of the church into perspective. As a young man I had the tendency to get excited at times thinking where all of the troubles will lead, but this senior gospel preacher surveyed the New Testament church and showed that God was in control and that good finally does win out over evil.

One of the issues dealt with in the lesson was the issue of politics in the church. The older brother simply stated, "It has always been that way." You see the truth is, it has always been that way because the Lord's church is made up of human beings who from time to time are tempted and fall into the trap of being political in the Lord's church. Even the casual observer can easily see from brotherhood publications and lectureships across the country, even around the world, that some people seem to run together. It is almost like a club or a fraternity sometimes. I have talked to my brothers in Christ and asked questions of them and they have referred me to one of their club, even on occasion saying "He's the best." Well, that may be the case, but sometimes it is the case that "he" is just a good friend with whom one is comfortable and does not seem to pose a perceived threat to him personally or professionally. What am I saying? That all such associations are wrong and harmful? No, but if such associations serve to weaken the Lord's church and harm the body of Christ, then forget the politics—the kingdom comes first!

An example of New Testament politics is found in Galatians 2 when the apostle Peter was confronted with the problem of Judaizing teachers versus Gentile Christians. So long as Peter was with the Gentile brethren everything was all right and he would eat with them. But, when the Judaizers came around the pressure led even the apostle Peter and Barnabas to succumb to the politics of the day and withdraw themselves from the Gentiles, giving their attention to the jews only rather than treating both equally. When Peter arrived at Antioch, Paul withstood him to the face "because he was to be blamed" (v. 11). If all were to be one in Christ as Peter himself concluded from his dream in Acts 10:34-35, then the politics of separation over circumcision was devastating to the body of Christ, the church. I think all Bible students who read the account of Galatians 2:4-13 find themselves endeared the more to the great apostle Paul who would not allow fleshly barriers to separate him from the fellowship of Christ.

In fact, the inspired term for what Peter and Barnabas were guilty of was "hypocrisy" (Gal. 2:13). The word hypocrite has its origin in the idea of an actor playing a part or a role in a play, and that is exactly where politics will lead. Just as it led Peter to practice the exact opposite of what he had been preaching, politics will cause brethren of today to do the same thing. In fact, it will cause a brother in Christ to weaken or even give up a correct doctrinal position held, because his friend believes a different way, or a school has taken a certain position. I have observed that in a certain locality a dominate preacher may influence other preachers to even act irrationally sometimes because they feel threatened! Is Christ no larger than a man? Can a man's dominate personality overtake one's love for God? The messenger of God can never be pulled into such a situation for if he is then he ceases being the servant that God would have him to be. The answer to a church issue is a "thus saith the Lord" and not a political poll of one's friends. A Bible answer to a problem is not even decided by a poll of the brotherhood or what position a journal takes but rather by the word of God (Col. 3:16; I Pet. 3:15). It is a sad thing when brother A refuses to respond to brother B's error with a statement such as "he is my good friend, and I don't feel comfortable criticizing him." If God chastens every son (Heb. 12:6), then we should truly love our friend and brother when we show him or her the truth.

Finally, I'm glad that my final judgment rests in the hands of "the Lord, the righteous Judge" (II Tim. 4:8). As David said to Gad in the long ago, " . . . let us fall now into the hand of the Lord; for his mercies are great: and let me not fall into the hand of man" (II Sam. 24:14). I believe King David knew something about the politics of mankind, don't you? Everyone—especially leaders in the Lord's church, should be diligent to keep fleshly politics out of the body of Christ. What if every member of the Lord's church could meet on the common ground of the Scriptures and the common salvation in Christ (Jude 3)? I know the kingdom of our Lord would be better than it is today!

What Has Brought on the Liberalism?
Kerry Duke

To suggest a single cause as the sole reason for the rampant liberalism in the church would be naive. Many factors have given rise to this situation. Settling on one of these as "the" cause of liberalism keeps us from seeing the rest. We might also ask which of these is the leading cause, and the answers we would give would no doubt vary. Among the causes for liberalism, however, one is certainly responsible for part of the present situation. That cause is the radical change in the moral and spiritual outlook of American culture.

World War II took a heavy toll on our country. Acute sacrifices were made, one of which was the employment of a large number of women outside the home. Perhaps that sacrifice was necessary to win the war. I am not denying that point, and I am not arguing that those women were wrong for what they did. I am saying, however, that a trend was set during this period for which we are still paying a heavy price. Even after the war, women became increasingly involved in the work force. As a result, they spent less time at home raising their children in those critical formative years of a child's life. Someone else was hired to care for the children. To a large extent, these caretakers did not provide for this generation of children the quality and degree of supervision that the previous generation knew. The respect for authority so basic to society was thus gradually eroded. When these children reached adulthood, many of them were disrespectful and rebellious. They resented authority and despised rules. They protested, whined, and rioted. They cried for revolution and change. This was the sixties—a period of the hippie movement and the sexual revolution. It was a time when children that had been conceived just after the war ended had reached legal age and demanded change.

The results of this cultural shift were profound. Drug abuse and sexual immorality became rampant. Divorce skyrocketed. America was a free nation, but the baby boomers, like spoiled children, wanted more. They wanted freedom to do whatever pleased them. Selfishness began to prevail over sacrifice and hard work. Lying became the tactic to preserve the craving to do what pleased them. Integrity was lost. Virtues like self discipline, courage, and honesty faded. Television began to reflect and even champion this wayward culture. Above all else, people had grown to resent anyone or any law which said no to their carnal impulses.

This cultural revolution was bound to affect the church, and it did. The same rebellious and disrespectful attitudes paraded in society made their way into the church. The similarities between the hippie rebellion of the sixties and the liberal movement in the church today are striking. For instance, both involve a demand for change. Liberals demand that the church must change not merely its methods but also its teaching. This reckless and selfish attitude is divisive and sinful (II John 9; Rom. 16:17-18). Also, liberals in the church hate words like "law" or "commandment" just as the sixties rebels did. They despise being told what to do. When you hear preachers ridiculing the notion of obedience with such labels as "law keepers" or "traditionalists," remember that they are echoing the flower child sentiment of decades past. Even worse, these preachers pervert the Scriptures of the living God, which demand respect for divine and delegated authority (John 12:48; John 14:15; Rom. 13:1; Heb. 13:17; Eph. 6:1). Like spoiled children, liberals guard their feelings at all costs—even at the expense of Truth. They do not want to be told they are wrong even if they are. They cannot stand having their feelings hurt even if they need to be. Anyone who does so to them is harsh and unloving. Love to these liberals in the church means what love meant to societal ingrates of the sixties: tolerance. These spoiled brats have invaded the church, and some older members who know better have allowed them to take our pulpits.

The church is being shaken to its very foundation. A tidal wave is sweeping spiritual Zion, and souls are being destroyed in its wake. But God be thanked that some will not succumb. The battle is still young for us, though the same battle was fought by the faithful of many ages past. We do not have to lose. "If God be for us, who can be against us?" (Rom. 8:31).

God Will Not—Cannot—Lie!
Glenn B. Ramsey

Paul writes to Titus: "In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began" (1:2). Again the Scriptures speak, "That by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us" (Heb. 6:18). Moses wrote in Deuteronomy 32:4, "He is the Rock, his work is perfect: for all his ways are judgment: a God of truth and without iniquity, just and right is he." God's Truth "endureth for ever" (Ps. 117:2).

The wise man instructed us, "Buy the truth, and sell it not; also wisdom, and instruction, and understanding" (Prov. 23:23). Jesus promised the apostles: "Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come" (John 16:13). Thus men who respect God receive His Truth "as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe" (I Thess. 2:13).

How we all wish that all men would accept the Truth of God and follow it in obedient living. This, regrettably, has really never been the case. From the sins of Adam and Eve down to the present day men "fall short" of God's glory by not believing and obeying His Truth. We have been accustomed to this among sectarian denominational people for years now. However, today we face this same problem from within the body of Christ.

The Word of God will judge us all on that Great Day (John 12:48). God will not change His Word and surprise us with a "new" law then. Why? Because God cannot lie!

He will not change His law of pardon. Only those who (in this Christian age) have heard, believed, repented, confessed and been baptized and then been faithful unto death will be allowed to "enter the joys of their Lord." Regardless of how many apostate brethren say that we are saved by grace only and before baptism, God will not change His Truth. He cannot lie!

Only those (in this Christian age) who worship according to the scriptural pattern will be acceptable to God. This scriptural worship includes singing, praying, preaching or teaching, eating the Lord's Supper every first day of the week and giving of one's means to the Lord each Lord's Day. Some may resort to gimmicks to raise money, but God will not approve such. God cannot lie! God has authorized only free-will contributions for the support of His kingdom. Some may introduce "special music" including quartet singing, solo singing, humming, clapping, etc., into worship along with instruments of music. God will not accept this. Rather He condemns such because He has not authorized this action in His Word. God cannot lie! He has given His law. Man must follow His law or suffer the wrath of the Almighty!

Man is authorized by God to "preach the Gospel." When man preaches social reform apart from the conversion of the soul, he acts without God's approval. God will condemn such. God cannot lie! He has spoken. Man is given the examples of the Lord Jesus Christ and His holy apostles to imitate in preaching and writing. When man leaves their pattern (example) he acts outside the authority of God. God will hold such accountable in the Great Day of Judgment. They will be condemned (see Matt. 7:21-23). God cannot lie! He has spoken.

Men may try to change the Truth of God into a lie (see Romans 1:25), but in that Great Day man will see his mistake—too late to do anything about it! God cannot lie! He has spoken.

Men may resist God's Truth (see II Tim. 3:8), but God's Truth will stand and man's ways will fall! God cannot lie! He has spoken. As Peter said, we should be people who have purified our souls by obeying the Truth (I Pet. 1:22), and we must live according to Truth! God cannot lie! God will not lie! He has spoken! Are you listening—and obeying Him?