What The Bible Says
“What The Bible Says - Vol. 5 / No. 11”
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What The Bible Says
Vol. V - No. 11 / October 23, 2022
DOES GOD'S LAW ON MARRIAGE APPLY TO SINNERS?
Some take the position that alien sinners are amenable to all of the law of Christ except those laws dealing with marriage. Others take the position that alien sinners are not under any of the laws of Christ. Some even take the position that Christians, being saved by grace, are not under law. All of these positions are wrong.
The Bible teaches that Christians are not under the law of Moses (Col. 2:14·17; Romans 7:1·4); however, Christians are under the law of Christ (1 Cor. 9:20-21). Christians must answer to the law of Christ and be judged by it (James 1:21-25; 2:12; 2 Cor. 5:10). Alien sinners are also under the law of Christ in that it applies to them, they are amenable to it, and must answer to it. If this were not so, they would not be sinners. "Sin is the transgression of the law" (1 John 3:4). "For where no law is, there is no transgression" (Romans 4:15). Therefore, if alien sinners are not under the law of Christ, they could not transgress it and thus would not be sinners.
Some claim they are sinners because they transgress civil law and not because they transgress the law of Christ. Transgression of civil law makes one a sinner only because Christ's law is violated when we violate civil law (Romans 13:1-2). Murder is a violation of both a specific civil law and a specific law of Christ. However, hunting out of season violates only certain specific civil laws. Hunting out of season is sinful because we violate the law of Christ when we violate civil law (Romans 13:1-2).
Some of the Corinthians, before becoming Christians, had been guilty of being fornicators, idolaters, adulterers, effeminate, and homosexuals. (1 Cor. 6:9-11). They were guilty of these sins because they transgressed the law of Christ and not because they transgressed some civil law in Corinth. There were no civil laws in Corinth against idolatry and most of these other sins.
Some would agree that all of this is true, but then they turn around and argue that with marriage it is different. I wonder why it is different? Why would Christ's law on idolatry apply to alien sinners and His law on marriage not apply? Some argue that God does not recognize a sinner's marriage. Paul said a man can have a wife who is an alien sinner. (1 Cor. 7:12). The Holy Spirit tells us Pilate had a wife. (Matthew 27:19). Pilate and his wife were alien sinners. The Holy Spirit tells us Felix had a wife named Drusilla. (Acts 24:24). Felix and Drusilla were not Christians. They were alien sinners. (Acts 24:25).
John the Baptist believed that God's laws on marriage applied to alien sinners like Herod the King and Herodias the woman he married (Mark 6:17), but had no right to marry, because she was Philip's wife. (Matthew 14:3-4). What Herod had done did not violate any civil law he was under. However, John said "It is not lawful... " It is not lawful according to God's law. Was John telling them to separate??? You better believe that was the message and they understood it properly!!! This is the reason why John was thrown into prison and later beheaded. (Matthew 14:3-12). If what some brethren teach is so, then John could have encouraged them to be baptized and continue to live together. This sort of teaching would have made them happy and saved John from going to prison. It would also have saved Herod from the trouble of having John beheaded. The kind of preaching John did will bring similar results today. If they don't kill you, they will make you wish you were dead!!! —Windell Wiser
RESPECTABLE WORLDLINESS
Whenever we hear the word "worldliness" we often think of lying, drunkenness, adultery, and other such sins. There is no doubt that God's word condemns such things from verses like Revelation 21:8: "But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone:”.
Yet there is another kind of worldliness that we possibly do not recognize because it is so widely accepted. Let's call it 'respectable worldliness' because it has to do with good things like our families, our jobs, recreation, etc. Many of our material blessings come to us through these things and none of us would deny the rightful place which they have in our lives. However ANYTHING that we put more emphasis on than serving God and doing His will becomes a sin. We are to “...love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength" (Mark 12:30). This verse is telling us that everything is to be secondary to God.
Many Christians are guilty of 'respectable worldliness'. No, they do not commit fornication or adultery. They are not drunkards or drug abusers. What they are guilty of is letting the good and decent things of this life totally engulf them. As a result, things of the Lord are being pushed to the side little by little, more and more. How often have we used the words, "I don't have the time" when it comes to justifying ourselves for not visiting the sick, studying our Bibles at home, attending all the services, or teaching someone the gospel? What we are saying is that we are too busy working on our jobs or doing for our families to have enough time to do the Lord's bidding. We mean no harm because we realize the importance of our jobs and families and we understand that God has required us to work and care for our families. Could it be that even though we say we love the Lord, we might just love our jobs and families more. The way we live definitely demonstrates a misplaced affection.
The blessings we have in this country are a curse to the spirituality of the church. Take a look at ourselves. We have no time for in-depth study of the Bible, some prefer sermonettes during worship services, we drive several miles to attend a ball game or other events but cannot go to the next town to attend a gospel meeting, and we hardly blink an eye at the debt we assume in order to buy a new color TV or automobile, but we would suggest a psychiatrist for the man who would make the same sort of debt to support gospel preaching in a needy area. This kind of worldliness has given us a "ho-hum" attitude especially in view of the fact that everyone in society places job and family at the head of the list of priorities.
We all know the drunkard, drug addict, fornicator, etc. are going to hell. We help to amen the preacher who steps on their toes. Let's consider this: Can a person be lost because he worked too many hours making an "honest living" or will one be condemned for attending ball games, or relaxing with friends, or for buying a new TV or car? The answer to these questions can be found in Jesus' parable in Luke 14:16-24: "A certain man made a great supper, and bade many: and sent his servants at supper time to say to them that were bidden, Come; for all things are now ready. And they all wi th one consent began to make excuse. The first said unto him, I have bought a piece of ground, and I must needs go and see it: I pray thee have me excused. And another said, I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I go to prove them: I pray thee have me excused. And another said, I have married a wife, and therefore I cannot come. So that servant came, and shewed his lord these things. Then the master of the house being angry said to his servant, Go out quickly into the streets and lanes of the city, and lanes of the city, and bring in hither the poor, and the mained, and the halt, and the blind. And the servant said, Lord, it is done as thou hast commanded, and yet there is room. And the lord said unto the servant, Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled. For I say unto you, That none of those men which were bidden shall taste of my supper.”
Notice the men that would not taste of the supper were not drunks, adulterers, homosexuals, or even liars. They were lost over "a piece of ground", "five yoke of oxen", and "a wife". The lesson is simple! PUT GOD FIRST! "But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you." (Matthew 6:33). —E.R. Hall, Jr.
SENTENCE SERMONS
Your bank account does not Indicate your true worth.
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Criticizing the faults of others does not remove your own.
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Before you say what you think - you should THINK!
"What The Bible Says” is e-mailed twice a month. If you know of others who might benefit from the articles contained in this bulletin, we would be glad to have you submit their e-mail addresses and we will include them in the next mailing. If you are receiving this bulletin and do not wish to continue to do so, please e-mail us with your desire to be removed from the mailing list and you will be removed promptly. Continue to the bottom of this page for further instructions as to how you may contact us.
--- E.R. Hall, Jr.
SCHEDULE OF SERVICES
For The East Albertville Church Of Christ
meeting at
4777 U.S. Highway 431
Albertville, AL 35950
Sunday
Bible Classes …………..….…………… 9:30 AM
Morning Worship ……..…….….……… 10:30 AM
Evening Worship …………………........ 5:00 PM
Wednesday
Bible Classes …………..………........... 7:00 PM
Radio Program
Sunday
WBSA 93.5 FM/1300 AM ………………………….. 8:30 AM
Monday - Saturday
WBSA 93.5 FM/1300 AM ………………………….. 11:15 AM
Website: www. EastAlbertville.org
