THE TRENTON BULLETIN

THE TRENTON BULLETIN

Trenton Church of Christ, Trenton, Florida

Thomas Jefferson wrote, “And can the liberties of a nation be thought secure, when we have removed their only firm basis, a conviction in the minds of the people that these liberties are the gift of God? That they are not to be violated but by his wrath? Indeed, I tremble for my country when I reflect that God is just; that His justice cannot sleep forever” (Notes on Virginia, 1784). The nature of freedom is relative to what men want to be free from. Our country was founded upon the principles of the knowledge of a Creator and from His hand life is sustained. Belief in God was not ridiculed as in our day. Prayer was not banished nor service to the one true God abandoned. Freedom celebrated in this generation is freedom from the restraints of a loving Creator.

The irony of our freedom is the enslaving power of self. Karl Barth said, “What was called freedom in the European age now past collapsed, and was bound to collapse, because for a long time and at an amazingly deep level it had degenerated into a freedom for godlessness and inhumanity” (Community, Church and State, 1946). The Psalmist declared: “Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord” (Psalms 33:12). When a nation turns away from the foundational belief that man is to serve the Creator, society falls headlong into a godless, immoral and self-serving avalanche of destruction.

Paul shows the course of man’s enslavement to self in Romans 1. First he shows how man chose not to glorify the Creator. “For even though they knew God, they did not honor Him as God or give thanks, but they became futile in their speculations, and their foolish heart was darkened” (Romans 1:21). In the darkness of their hearts, men “exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever” (Romans 1:25). Falling headlong into godless acts of homosexuality (vv26,27) they “did not see fit to acknowledge God any longer, God gave them over to a depraved mind, to do those things which are not proper” (Romans 1:28). When you take a moment to read Romans 1:29-32 you will see the freedom man has found in serving the creature (himself) rather than the Creator (Jehovah God).

All nations exist by the power of the Creator. “Every person is to be in subjection to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those which exist are established by God” (Romans 13:1). In Hannah’s prayer of 1 Samuel 2, she declares the majesty of God’s power over all mankind: "The Lord kills and makes alive; He brings down to Sheol and raises up. The Lord makes poor and rich; He brings low, He also exalts. He raises the poor from the dust, He lifts the needy from the ash heap to make them sit with nobles, and inherit a seat of honor; for the pillars of the earth are the Lord’s, and He set the world on them. He keeps the feet of His godly ones, but the wicked ones are silenced in darkness; for not by might shall a man prevail. Those who contend with the Lord will be shattered; against them He will thunder in the heavens, The Lord will judge the ends of the earth; and He will give strength to His king, and will exalt the horn of His anointed" (1 Samuel 2:6-10).

For man to enjoy freedom he must submit to the Creator of the world. This submission is not oppressive (1 John 5:3) but filled with love and grace. The Lord protects us and cares for us. The Creator of the world gave His only begotten Son to give us freedom (Romans 6:23; Galatians 5:1). Celebrate freedom in the willingness to abide by His care and His rule. True freedom can only come from Jehovah God.

In spiritual matters, no step is so short that we need not give serious heed BEFORE we take it. Great leaps into the darkness of apostasy are always preceded by many short steps into, or in the direction of, liberalism, compromise, speculations, etc. There is almost no danger that the church will suddenly depart completely from the God-given plan, but there is an ever-present danger that it may gradually, one short step at a time, and wanders away from the old-fashioned New Testament way.

It takes many little raindrops to make the mighty Mississippi. It takes many little snowflakes to cover the plains and the mountains with the deep blanket of white. Many little lessons are needed to change the mind of the baby in& the mind of the wise, educated man. Likewise, as the poet said, "It takes a heap 'o livin to make a house a home."

One great deed will not make a man righteous, nor will it gain for him a home in heaven. Many little minutes of study, many little deeds of kindness, many little acts of submission to the will of God, many little minutes of prayer, all may combine to lead to righteousness here and happiness hereafter. One does not become a child of God by one long stride, but by begin begotten when he hears the word, by having our heart changed by faith, by having our will changed by repentance, and by having our relationship changed when we are baptized into Christ. Likewise, the child of God grows in grace and knowledge from day to day and year to year, and adds gradually, a little at a time, knowledge, temperance, patience, godliness, brotherly kindness and love.

Just as we grow gradually, by the short-step-method, into righteousness, so there is danger that we may depart from God's favor in the same way. Solomon said, "Dead flies cause the ointment of the apothecary to send forth a stinking savour: so doth a little folly him that is in reputation for wisdom and honor" (Ecclesiastes 10:1).

Every departure from the moral principles of the Bible has come by the short step method. Most mature people today can remember when it was considered a shame for one to be divorced. Today it is just a good advertisement. Most of us can remember when it was considered shameful for a woman to smoke a cigarette. Today it is common. These and other such changes did not happen overnight. It took a new generation, trained at the feet of the Hollywood stars to bring about such conditions. What was once repulsive is now commonly practiced. Step-by-step, year-by year, degeneration works its way into the lives of men and women and boys and girls.

Let those, then, who would avoid the pitfalls of sin, beware those first short steps. That first little drink ' harmless as it may seem, and "just to go along with the crowd," is the really dangerous one. It may lead to the gutter. In Milwaukee, where beer made the city famous, police told me that many people must never take the first drink if they would avoid a drunkard's destiny. Likewise, if one would avoid the shame and sorrow and poverty which is the usual end of most gamblers, let that one not take the first steps. Success at "matching pennies" may lead to ruin and shame at the dice tables.

A little bet on the horses may lead to poverty and suicide. Remember, the devil does not have to overpower us and THROW us into hell; he can accomplish his purpose much easier by LEADING us, teasing us, tolling us, one short step-at-a-time, until we have completely passed up the doors of heaven and stumble blindly into torment.

Just as immorality overcomes many a little-at-a-time, so with doctrinal errors. Every doctrinal departure from the principles of the New Testament has come by the short-step method. It took over six hundred years to make the first pope, but the world has been cursed with one ever since. Had it been suggested in 100 or 200 A.D. that one man should be named universal head of the church on earth, the plan would have been considered absurd. But by the gradual process of departures born the God-given plan for church government, first by the little step of elevating one elder above another, and then by conventions, councils, etc., a pope was named in 606 A.D.

By the same short-step method sprinkling became an accepted practice as late as the 14^th century. But sprinkling was started rather innocently. At least it might seem innocent to one who did not see danger in little departures from God's exact word. Affusion (less than immersion) was first practiced only as an emergency measure in case of people who were very ill. Had it been suggested that sprinkling should replace immersion in 200 or 300 A.D., no doubt even the clergy would have objected. But after many, many years, yes many centuries, sprinkling became common and was officially declared valid for all people by the Roman Catholic church in 1311 A.D. The plain teaching of God's word would have never been so abused had that first step, though it seemed so little, not been taken.

Corruption of worship was also a gradual affair. A hundred years ago an orchestra in a church house would have been scorned by almost all. But orchestras, bands and even dancing interpretations of sacred songs have been made acceptable to many by common usage. The process has always been to introduce the least objectionable innovation, then to proceed to greater departures. It is a far cry from the little melodian to the orchestra, but that is the way the devil works—by leading the Lord's people into those little departures, for Satan knows that "one step leads to another."

Speculation about little and seemingly insignificant things often leads to the completely apostate doctrines of premillenialism. Little compromises will lead to denominationalism. A little liberalism now, and in a few months or years we will have modernism. A few little seeds of doubt, uncertainty or compromise from our pulpits today, if unrefuted, and if followed by more tomorrow, will certainly bring apostasy. Truly a "little leaven leaveneth the whole lump." Yes, indeed, "how great a matter a little fire kindleth." May we, as individual Christians, and may the church in each community, grow step-by-step CLOSER TO THE LORD, and may we always beware those little steps that will certainly lead to destruction.

Sixteen or eighteen college freshmen were gathered in a class room to hear the advice of an elderly soldier of the cross. These young men had announced their intention to "go everywhere, preaching the gospel" and they faced the coming years of their lives with youthful eagerness. Perhaps, they thought, this older preacher will give us another sermon outline, a novel way to turn the fide in debate. He may even help us find some week-end appointments with not-too-distant congregations.

But the old man looked the boys squarely in the face, and began his talk on a sober note. "Boys," he said, "don't preach if you can help it." Don't preach if you can help it —what an odd way to encourage a class of preacher-boys. Pencils poised above open note-books, writing nothing. But minds were not idle. This man had something to say, and his words, like symbols of the branding iron, were burned into hearts.

"There's no such thing as 'having no place to preach'," the old man said. He illustrated his point with reference to an incident in the life of J. W. McGarvey. It seems that when Bro. McGarvey was head of the College of the Bible, Lexington, Ky., a young man came to his office and asked help in finding a place to preach. Bro. McGarvey took the young man to his office window and, throwing open the shutters said, "See those many houses with smoke rising from their chimneys? There are people in those houses—people who will be lost in hell without the gospel of Christ. Every such house is a place to preach." The story reminds me of the apostle Paul's statement, "I am debtor—I am not ashamed of the gospel" (Romans 1:14-15).

"Don't preach if you can help it, boys," the old man had said. "If you can be happy selling insurance, then, sell insurance.' And I remember his further comments. 'You can be a faithful Christian, and a blessing to the church, as a merchant, farmer, or salesman. Don't burden the cause of Christ with more half-dedicated, professionally minded 'clergymen'."

Even then, I knew what the speaker meant; and as the years have passed, I have come to appreciate the old man s advice more and more. The church does not need men who are trying to "better themselves" as preachers. We need men who are so filled with determination to preach the TRUTH, for the salvation of souls, that self is lost in an all-out effort to "better" and further the cause of Christ.

We are desperately in need of men—MEN—who so fully and completely love the Lord Jesus Christ THEY CAN NOT HELP BUT PREACH THE TRUTH.

4 A belief is not merely an idea the mind possesses; it is an idea that possesses the mind.

4 The world is moved not only by the mighty shoves of the heroes but also by the aggregate of tiny pushes of each honest worker.

4 Snowflakes are one of nature’s most fragile things, but just look at what they can do when they stick together.