Author: Osborne, Harry

Lest one think this whole exercise in speculation is wasted space, let me note that the above statements are merely modified forms of things being said today. Take away the reference to Asa’s opposition to ancient error and replace it with some brother’s opposition to modern error and you’ve got it. Substitute the ridicule or character assassination of some faithful teacher for that of Asa and the words are identical.

Should a Christian go to the night life scene in Ybor City? No, a Christian has no business going to places of evil repute. Let us rebuke such and teach others to avoid the ungodly surroundings, rather than compromising with sin by their presence. Failure to flee from the evil will lead one to acceptance of and participation in ungodliness with the world (2 Corinthians 6:14-18).

Think about the place of government ordained by God and it really becomes very simple (Romans 13:1-7). Does God desire the government that He ordained as “a minister of God to thee for good” to raise money through the same means that organized crime has used for years? Or does He expect a higher standard from those whom He authorized to praise good and avenge evil? That is the bottom line! When we seek for God’s answer to the question, we will see that gambling is not an effort approved by God for gamblers or the bookmaker — whether organized by the Mafia or the government.

Some have seemingly abandoned the biblical basis for unity – truth believed, taught and practiced (Ephesians 4:1-16). Whether accepted or not, God’s pattern still instructs us about how to handle those who depart in teaching or practice from the doctrine given by Christ, (cf. 2 John 9-11).

The problem is that some people live by one rule, but judge others by a more stringent rule than that imposed upon themselves. The Bible speaks of such a practice and clearly condemns it.

As Nineveh of old repented at the preaching of Jonah, let us unashamedly and boldly proclaim the standard of righteousness and call upon our people and leaders to repent! The destruction of any nation that sanctions immorality is certain. It may already be too late, but it is certainly not too early to let our voices and votes be heard! If we remain silent and inactive, what kind of society will we leave for our children and grandchildren?

There is deliverance available, not by submitting to the dominion of the flesh, but by submitting to the Lordship of Jesus as an obedient servant of righteousness who has found newness of life in Christ.

It should alarm faithful brethren to see the growing willingness to label literal Bible truths as “figurative,” “metaphorical,” “symbolical,” “allegorical,” or even, as Hill Roberts admits, “mythical.” How do we effectively fight and refute the encroachment of error? We oppose and expose it at the very outset before it gains a foothold from which to assault faith.

The path of this plea to be “uncertain” about the literal nature of Bible facts is obvious, contagious and disastrous. What is next? We do not know, but this error is sure to find other applications as it re-interprets more and more literal truths into possible literary devices about which we cannot be certain.

God does not tolerate homosexuality nor does He offer equal opportunity access for homosexuals into His eternal housing. Homosexuals will be excluded from heaven!

The same brethren who are willing to tolerate those who teach error on fellowship, divorce and remarriage, the creation account or other doctrinal subjects are not willing to discuss and forbear with those who teach and document the truth. While faithful brethren seek to leave the door open for further study and discussion, those claiming greater tolerance show themselves to be the ones who have drawn the line of fellowship excluding faithful brethren. Sad, but predictable.

Just as it takes work to study and properly understand a subject in school, it takes work to study and properly understand Bible subjects as well. There is no shortcut that negates the need for diligence. If we are to unite in the proper understanding of God’s word, it will require a diligent effort in discerning His truth from the revealed word. It does not just suddenly come to us from a spaceship or a frog.

We often see Christians seeking for externals to give them encouragement when they need to seek the true source. Some say they could be more encouraged by a different speaker or a different style or a different setting. They seek the spiritual equivalent of a pep rally. The simple fact is this — Christians are brought to real and lasting encouragement in and through the truth of God.

Once the Ethiopian had obeyed, he went on his way rejoicing. We also can go rejoicing in salvation if we will follow the pattern for conversion revealed in the word of God. Regardless of the different messages taught by men today, the gospel of Christ remains the one and only message bringing salvation through Christ to obedient believers.

One must hear the gospel, believe it, repent of his sins, be baptized and continue to do all things commanded by Christ through His apostles. The one who meets those conditions is a disciple of Christ, saved and enjoys the remission of sins.

Let us be thankful for that which we have, but let us make sure that our true treasure is measured in spiritual terms. This will be accomplished only as we honestly and objectively examine ourselves by the standard of our Lord’s teaching.

As Christians, we are to be lights to a world in darkness (Matt. 5:14-16; Phil. 2:14-16). Surely that obligation includes the responsibility to exemplify the virtue of honesty in all of our conduct. Let us commit ourselves to speaking only that which is true. When tempted to lie in order to reach a goal, let us remember that God knows the truth and He will bring it out in time. The cost of lying is just too high. If we tell the truth, we build on a solid base for the present and for eternity. Our lives will ultimately be blessed if we speak the truth as God has done in His speaking to man through the Bible.

If aliens are not amenable to Christ’s law regarding divorce and remarriage, aliens are not amenable to the Gospel instructions in general. For instance, if an alien is not amenable to the Gospel’s instructions, how can we oppose the use of instrumental music in denominational worship? Are they not aliens? How could the practice be judged sinful for aliens if the regulation of the gospel does not apply to them?

Proposition: “The Scriptures teach that biblical putting away is synonymous with the civil procedure for divorce in one’s respective society and that the innocent one must secure that civil divorce in order to have a right to remarry.”

Proposition: “The Scriptures teach that biblical putting away is synonymous with the civil procedure for divorce in one’s respective society and that the innocent one must secure that civil divorce in order to have a right to remarry.”