Some Shall Depart
By H. E. Phillips
All things are known by God, even things in the future. The Holy Spirit
revealed some things known by God, among which is the subject of this article. “Now
the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart
from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils” (1
Tim. 4:1). “This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall
come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud,
blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy...” (2 Tim
3:1,2).
Satan is constantly going about seeking whom he may destroy. He has the advantage
in that he controls those in this age who have the political power, the financial
power, the social power and the communication medium. Those without the gospel
are bombarded from all sides with temptations and pressures to fill their lives
with the things of this world and they think nothing about the time when all
must leave this life and come before God for the judgment of all things done
in this life.
There is a day of judgment coming. “Because he hath appointed a day, in
the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained;
whereof he bath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from
the dead” (Acts 17:3 1). “For we must all appear before the judgment
seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according
to that he bath done, whether it be good or bad” (2 Cor. 5:10).
Since in these days - this dispensation - some shall depart from the faith, and
all men must die and come before Jesus Christ to be judged for eternity, what
can we do and say to keep men from going back to the things of this world? One
of the foremost problems in the church today is the falling away of those who
are weak and untaught and those inclined to love the world.
One of the wiles Satan uses to take many from the word of God is self-love. Men
are so prone to serve their own minds and bodies that they will constantly seek
any avenue to pacify their lusts. That is self-willed.
1. Money-loving. “For the love of money is the root of all evil:
which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced
themselves through with many sorrows” (1 Tim. 6:10). The love of money
is at the root of all sin. Did you know that the love of money is involved
in 99 percent of all sins? All prostitution is based upon the love of money.
All alcohol, illegal drugs, thief, lying, killing, etc. In some way the love
for all these things is related to the love for money. Wealth is a powerful
force for evil because those who possess it use it to serve their love for
self.
2. Pleasure-loving. “...Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures
more than lovers of God;” (2 Tim. 3:4). More money is spent daily in
the world for pleasure than for the operation of all nations on earth. That
includes all forms of games and sports, movies, television, radio, music of
all kinds, literature, hotels and resorts, most luxury ships, travel of all
kinds, toys, drinks, restaurants, candy, cakes, cookies, and dozens of items
and related things not mentioned here. Think of all that is spent every day
on these things and you will understand the force of pleasure-seeking on the
mind and bodies of billions the world over. This takes away from the love of
God and His word. Satan uses this avenue to draw many from God and to himself.
3. Over-bearing. “...Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters,
inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents” (Rom. 1:30). “Despiteful,
proud and boasters” will define that attitude which is opposite that
required by God for His people. Elders, deacons, teachers, preachers and Christians
in general are so overbearing toward others that the gospel is hindered around
the world.
4. Blasphemous. “He is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions
and strifes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings,” (1
Tim. 6:4). “Whereas angels, which are greater in power and might, bring
not railing accusation against them before the Lord” (2 Pet. 2:11). Jesus
taught that men will be judged by every word that comes out of their mouths. “For
by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned” (Matt.
12:37). James says the tongue is hard to control, but he who controls it can
control his body (James 3:1-10).
We must strive to put money, pleasure, evil attitudes and evil and harmful
speaking out of our lives and teach our children and others to do the same.
All these things are vanity and vexation of spirit; they will be terminated
with time and earthly existence, and “then whose shall these things be?” ‘What
is a man profited if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?
or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?” You will have to
answer that question!
- Preacher of the Word, March 24, 1996
Work While It Is Day
By H. E. Phillips
Work is an important word in Christianity as well as in any other endeavor.
Without
work no progress is made and no goal is achieved. Jesus said: “I must work
the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man
can work” (John 9:4). Solomon wrote by the Spirit: “By much slothfulness
the building decayeth; and through idleness of the hands the house droppeth through” (Eccl.
10:18).
The word of God both commands work of the right kind and forbids idleness.
When one does not do the work that should be done as a child of God, he disobeys
two commands of God: the one which requires him to be busy in the service of
his Master, and the one which forbids him to be idle and lazy. This is applicable
to us today in worship and in preaching the gospel of Christ. How little work
we really do by comparison to what we could do and should do.
Usually when we speak of “working” for the Lord we have something
in mind that makes a big show before our brethren and the world. We think of
big ideas and the spending of large sums of money in a variety of places as doing
great “works” for the Lord. In reality much of this sort of work
is displeasing to the Lord because it is characterized by the spirit of the Pharisees
who loved the praise of men more than the praise of God. Take away the personal
praise and vain glory and the works would stop.
What we need is individually converted workers who live and teach the truth of
God daily to all with whom they come in contact. Get busy and do the work of
God to His glory!
- Preacher of the Word, July 28, 1996