The Truth War

By: American Decency Staff

“… Stop being self-conscious, stop being a sanctified prig, and live the life hid with Christ. …” It was a real encouragement to hear from a variety of voices yesterday regarding my email message: “MacArthur’s message fatalistic?” In the email, I shared a message that I had received from a friend of this ministry stating what some also think that John MacArthur is fatalistic. And others, like me, think that MacArthur is realistic and Biblical. See: https://americandecency.org/main.php?f=updates_new/2007/August/8.30.07 No matter what side you come down upon one thing is clear: there is a battle for truth that is real and concerning. While attending seminary years ago at the Grand Rapids Baptist Seminary, a phrase stated by Dr. Ron Chadwick has stuck in my heart, mind and soul: “Worshipers are workers.” As I spoke before many churches down through the years I have seen a wide variety of worship services – lifting up hands, lengthy praise times, solemnity, activity, lightheartedness, large gatherings, medium-sized gatherings, small gatherings. The phrase often came to my mind as I was out and about “Worshipers are workers.” Jesus asked the question three times of Peter “Peter: Do you love me?” Peter, of course, humiliated by his thrice betrayal of Jesus answered “Yes, Lord, you know I do.” Jesus’ questioning was piercing and painful. He asked that question of us as well – “Bill, do you love me?” “John: Do you love me?” Sarah? Deborah? Linda? Noah? Do you love me?” As with Peter, Jesus’ response “Then feed my sheep.” “If you love me, you will keep my commandments.” “My sheep hear my voice and they follow Me.” Today Oswald Chambers words in his classic devotional “The Utmost for His Highest” writes: “Be rightly related to God, find your joy there, and out of you will flow rivers of living water. Stop being self-conscious, stop being a sanctified prig, and live the life hid with Christ. The life that is rightly related to God is as natural as breathing wherever it goes. The lives that have been of most blessing to you are those who were unconscious of it.” My father-in-law (now deceased), perhaps had the greatest impact upon me of anyone I know. He was a humble dairy farmer who never preached at me verbally, but rather revealed Christ to me by the qualities of his life that pointed to Christ: love, joy, peace, patience, perseverance, gentleness, kindness, long suffering. My father-in-law, David VanSloten was an unassuming Bible man. It was his life that revealed Christ to me – that drew me to the Bible and to Christ. That is still the best way to battle for truth -to hear the word and obey it – that Christ may be glorified and others may be convinced of Christ and the truthfulness of His Word. Dave VanSloten was a man of prayer, devotions – he knew the Bible because he studied the Bible and it flowed into and through his life – he heard it and obeyed it. He was faithful in church attendance – Sunday morning, night, Wednesday, faithful to his wife – faithful to his children, to his son-in-laws, daughter-in-laws … to His God. ================= Looking for a good book to use for a Bible study? We continue to encourage the purchase of Dr. Jerry Bridge’s book “The Pursuit of Holiness.” The author Jerry Bridges states it this way: “The Christian plumber and the Christian banker and the unsung homemaker and the powerful head of state are all alike called to be holy.” “… But God has not called us to be like those around us. He has called us to be like Himself. Holiness is nothing less than conformity to the character of God.” This book is a tremendous study. The chapters are concise and meaty but readable. The little book has study questions for each chapter. A tremendous way to study over a period of time God’s great plan for our lives – I urge the reading and study of this book for yourself. And beyond that, I encourage you to bring together a group of people – young and/or old – and study and strive together to engage in this life long pursuit – “to be holy for He is holy.” If you would like a free copy, email kimberly@americandecency.org If you would like multiple copies, we are making them available for $1.00 a piece plus shipping. Call 1-888-733-2326. ========= American Decency Association Bill Johnson, President P.O. Box 202 Fremont, MI 49412 PH: 231-924-4050 www.americandecency.org

---