The beginning of Ephesians 4:15 serves as the name of this new bulletin and the by-line for our daily radio program over WGUN (1010 AM; Monday-Friday at 3:00 PM). The choice of this phrase for these works is due to the power that the Holy Spirit placed in the beautiful words He chose. In this first issue, I would like to give you some information about these words.
“Speaking the truth” is from one Greek word (a present participle). It means just what we have in English, “To speak or maintain the truth.” It includes, in the context of Ephesians 4, the idea that those who speak the truth also ought to follow it themselves. The “speaking” includes what Paul had done when he first went to that pagan city of Ephesus. He taught them the “word of truth, the gospel of your salvation” (Ephesians 1:13). The “truth” is the same thing as the gospel of Christ, or the New Testament. Truth is something that can be learned, must be learned, and must be followed in order to please God. “But you have not so learned Christ, if indeed you have heard Him and have been taught by Him, as the truth is in Jesus” (Ephesians 4:20,21).
“In love” is the “element” in which all “speaking the truth” must take place. If the one who claims to speak the truth does not love God (with all his heart, soul, mind, and strength), if he does not love his neighbor as himself, if he does not love the truth—in other words, if he does not “walk in love” as Paul specifically commands in the next chapter (5:2)—then his so-called “speaking the truth” is a sham and a shame before God!
The goal of this “speaking the truth in love” is that we “grow up in all things unto Him who is the head—Christ.” There ought to be balance in our lives—balance in attitude, beliefs, and action. This is the context of Ephesians 4 and it is the aim of the entire gospel. As we move closer to this “gospel balance” as individuals, we grow closer to our Head and to one another in the body of Christ, which is His church.
So, let us be busy “speaking the truth in love.”
— Skip Andrews
The Word of God is Able
"The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul; The testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple."
(Psalm 19:7)
The above verse is just one of many throughout the Bible claiming that the Bible is able—very able—to show us how to safely reach the end of life and to enter the home of the soul by the grace of God.
Jesus also frequently referred to the ability of the word of God. In His temptations with Satan, He replied, "It is written'" every time (Matthew 4:1-11). He said, "And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free" (John 8:32). And He claimed that "the truth" is the word of God in John 17:17: "Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth."
Please read on and learn about four things that the word of God is ABLE to do for you.
ONE: IT IS ABLE TO MAKE YOU WISE UNTO SALVATION (II Timothy 3:15).
"...and that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for
salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus."
This quotation refers to the fact that the Old Testament was taught to Timothy while he was young (by his mother and grandmother; II Timothy 1:5). The content of the Old Testament is such that it causes the student who uses it properly to look for the One person who fulfills all that the Old Testament says about God’s plan of salvation: Jesus Christ.
Becoming wise unto salvation includes learning about the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. It includes learning about the wonders of the Bible. It includes learning about the need to obey the will of God without changing or rejecting it in any way. It includes believing what Paul said in the next two verses of II Timothy 3:
"All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is
profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for
instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work."
TWO: IT IS ABLE TO SAVE YOUR SOUL
(James 1:21).
"Therefore lay aside all filthiness and overflow of wickedness, and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls."
In another section of scripture that stresses the power of the Bible (James 1:18-27), the claim is made that this word is able to save our souls. Included in this is the fact that no one can be saved apart from obeying any and all commands given by God that bring us into a saved relationship with God.
The New Testament is as clear on this point as it can be: there are five commands that a sinner must obey in order to be saved and thus added to the Lord’s church (Acts 2:40-47).
Sinners must hear the word of God (Acts 2:22).Sinners must believe in Jesus Christ (John 8:24).
Sinners must repent of all sin (Acts 17:30,31).
Sinners must confess their faith in Christ (Romans 10:9,10).
Sinners must be baptized to have sins washed away (Acts 22:16).
(Acts 20:32).
"So now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to the word of His grace, which is able to build you up..."
In the above passage from Acts 20, Paul was stressing to the Ephesian elders that they could not do their work as elders properly unless they used the word of God properly. If they would use the "word of His grace" properly, it was able to build them up.
Included in this element of the ability of the Bible are such things as the following:
The Bible can build us up by helping us to grow stronger spiritually (in thought, in word, and in deed; Psalm 19:14; I Peter 3:15; James 1:22-27).The Bible can build us up by helping us to teach the lost (Mark 16;15,16; Acts 5:42).
The Bible can build us up by helping us to learn how good it is to help the needy (James 1:27; Galatians 6:10).
The Bible can build us up by helping us to encourage other Christians (Hebrews 3:12,13; 10:23-25).
INHERITANCE (Acts 20:32).
"and give you an inheritance among all those
who are sanctified."
You will note that this is the last part of the verse we studied in section THREE above. The word of God is able to do everything we need it to do in this life—which includes the fact that it promises us the next life: A HEAVENLY INHERITANCE.
That inheritance is in heaven, it is undefiled, it can never fade away, and it is reserved for all who are faithful in following the ways of Jesus by following the Bible until the end of life (I Peter 1:3-9).
That inheritance is good, glorious, and worth whatever we must obey and endure in order to get there (Revelation 4,5,21,22).
That inheritance is a place that will be populated by the Father, the Son, the Holy Spirit, all faithful heavenly beings, and all of the faithful since the beginning of time (Hebrews 12:1,22,23).
Why not decide right now to give the
Bible a chance to make a difference for good in your life? Why not decide
right now to learn and to do all of the commands of Jesus Christ because
you want to prove your love for Him (John 14:15)?
We are happy to be able to send you this first issue of “The Truth in Love.” Many of you are receiving it because you have responded to our radio program. We hope that you will profit by reading this bulletin each week, and that you will continue to listen to the radio program Monday-Friday at 3:00 PM. Last week when I went to WGUN with my tape for this week, Fred Webb, who is the station manager, informed me that we are on every morning, too (free of charge). He also said that he listens both times and that he wants to keep us on.
We also invite you to come and visit with us at our classes and worship
(they are listed on the back page).
Call or write for a free copy of “Social Drinking and the Christian.”
This is a booklet written by one of our elders, Ernest Burnette.
Elisha
All of the answers are found in the following passages of the King James Version: II Kings 2:1-15; 4:1-17; 5:1-14.
ACROSS
5 Naaman was this (because of his disease).
6 Elisha’s servant.
8 This person came to take a certain woman’s
two sons to be bondmen.
10 What the woman was told to borrow.
13 Captain of the host of the king of Syria.
14 Elijah’s co-worker.
15 The size portion of Elijah’s spirit asked
for by Elisha.
DOWN
1 Elisha took this which fell from Elijah.
2 The number of times Naaman was
required to dip in the Jordan.
3 Sons of these spoke to Elisha.
4 Elisha cried this when he saw the
chariot.
7 How Elijah went into heaven.
8 After obeying, Naaman was _____.
9 How the Shunammite woman was described.
11 The Shunammite woman made this for Elisha.
12 Elijah and Elisha went together to this town.
16 What the woman sold to pay her debt.
(Answers next week.)
SICK LIST: Donna Fields continues to be in our prayers as she undergoes chemotherapy. Alexandra Pruitt, Matthew Prigge, Clarence III and Enisha Donley, Jared and Jake Davis, Devendra Williams, and Nancy Komisak were all ill Sunday. Jake Snider, father-in-law of Lee & Joyce’s daughter Dianne, is very ill. Helen’s father, Frank Burch, is not doing very well. Let’s remember those who are ill and their families in our prayers.
SING: We plan to sing each Sunday evening at 5:30 to prepare for our lectureship and hosting the area sing in May. We will learn new songs, practice old favorites, and give our song leaders opportunities to develop their talent.
PLANTATION SOUTH: Group 2 is in charge of the services at 1:30 Sunday at Plantation South.
VISITATION: Group 2 is asked to meet up front following evening services to pick up assignments.
LADIES’ CLASS: Ladies’ class will meet Tuesday at 10:00. A covered dish luncheon is planned following class. All the ladies are encouraged to attend.
EVENING LADIES’ CLASS: The first evening ladies’ class is planned for Monday, February 22, at 7:30. We hope all the ladies will attend.
READY! SET! GO!: The second issue of the paper is in the foyer for pickup.
PANTRY ITEM: Chicken noodle soup.
FOR THE RECORD:
Sunday Bible Class 100
The wicked have laid a snare for me: yet I erred not from thy precepts" (Psalm 119:110).
VOLUME 1:1 FEBRUARY 14, 1999