Barnes church of Christ

It was forty-eight years ago that I first heard of Jude chapter two. It was in a Bible class in the Linda church of Christ in Marysville, CA. The preacher/teacher was Clint Lovelady and someone had asked him where something was in the Bible. He answered, “It is in Jude chapter two.” Being a very young Christian of only a few months, I started looking for Jude, then, chapter two. Of course, I finally found Jude, but not chapter two. This was his way of saying; it is not in the Bible. Through the years I have adopted this fun way of answering such questions.
I have been amazed through the years to see folks who have been Christians for many years, once I have told them something is in Jude chapter two, to see them start thumbing through the New Testament looking for Jude chapter two. You should see their faces when finally they realize what has just happened to them. How many times have you heard, “God moves in mysterious ways and has wonders to perform” or something like it? Do you know where these words appear in the Bible? Yes, they are found in Jude chapter two. Just “Google” the words and see what you find. You will find something, but no book, chapter, and verse.
In fact, I found these words as the heading of a page: “God moves in a mysterious ways his wonders to perform.” Of course, the page never gave book, chapter and verse for the words! Yet, they were put forth as though they were as sure as God himself! How does something become so strongly believed, that it becomes the basic thought of a religion? The implication behind the words appears to be, that God’s plans (whatever is happening at the present time) are beyond human understanding, but God has a reason for everything that happens, however strange they may appear to man. These words also take us beyond the Bible, thus, the events themselves become the authority! But don’t forget, the “mysterious” and “wonders” are beyond the human mind’s ability to comprehend.
Here is a good point to unveil the origin of the words, “God moves in mysterious ways and has wonders to perform.” Well, the words have undergone change through the years as many phrases do. The nearest words to those heard today come from a hymn written by William Cowper in 1774. He wrote: “God moves in mysterious ways / His wonders to perform. / He plants his footsteps in the sea / And rides upon the storm.” Cowper struggled with depression and doubt through the years. The story goes that he decided to commit suicide by drowning himself, so one night he called a cab telling the driver to take him to the Thames River. There is two versions to the story, one is that as they drove toward the Thames a heavy fog came in and the cab driver got lost and could not find the river, while the other says the driver deliberately drove around; at last, whichever the case, Cowper was most surprised to find himself at the steps of his own house when the cab stopped to let him out. Surely God had sent the fog, or at least the cab driver to keep him from killing himself. The conclusion was reached: “Even in our blackest moments, God watches over us!”
It must be asked, what is wrong with this story? First, what do you say to the father and mother whose son or daughter just committed suicide? Where was God? Did God have no plan for him/her? Was God not watching over him/her? Have you not read that God: “… maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust” (Matt. 5:45). What arrogance to think that I am better than others, that God has a better plan for me than others, or that God has a special plan for me, but not for you! What book, chapter, and verse, do I give for such? Oh, I forgot, we are not talking about the inspired word of God: “God moves in a mysterious way his wonders to perform” is our authority!
Before concluding, do not get the wrong idea, the Christian has blessings the lost do not have, but they are spiritual not physical. Paul wrote: “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ” (Eph. 1:3). Then, when it comes to salvation, God is no respect of person: “Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons: (35) But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him” (Acts 10:34-35).
Finally, let these words settle into your mind, as Paul wrote of God: “Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth” (1 Tim. 2:4). It is not mysterious, but it is so wonderful!

— Frank R. Williams

The religion of today and for years past is expressed in the title of this article: “Sit still, God will do it for you.” Truth is, God will not do it for you! God loves you and he has done for all of us what we could not do for ourselves; and this is evidenced in the words of the “golden text:” “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life” (John 3:16). Did you notice the two words, “should not?” Many people have so firmly planted in their belief system, once saved, always saved, that they read this verse as though it reads “shall not perish.” I remember a story told by a beloved old preacher who was preaching when a woman who stood up, and read this verse, but she read the words “shall not perish” as she did so. He asked her to read the verse a second time, she did so, but once more read into the verse the same words; so he had her read it a third time and when she read the same words, he stopped her and asked her look at the words. She looked at the word of the text and just set down without another word. Many folks are just like this dear lady, they read into the text what they believe.
The Greek word used in the text is “me” and Strong says it is, “A primary particle of qualified negation. It is not an absolute negation as so many believe. Had the Holy Spirit desired to express an absolute negation, as “shall not,” he would have used the Greek “ou,” which Strong says, “expresses an absolute denial.” The translators got it right, but many readers get it wrong! But, the point being made in this article is that God has done for us what we could not, and here we would use the Greek “ou,” an absolute denial, do for ourselves; we could not and we cannot give that which brings about salvation, as that required the blood of the sinless “only begotten Son of God.” However, this being true, it does not change the truth, God does not do for us what he requires of us.
The Greek language has what is called the “middle voice,” which English does not have. When the Greek middle voice verb form is used, the subject of the verb is seen as acting upon itself or for its own benefit. Here is a case in point, Ananias came to Saul and said: “And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord” (Acts 16:22). In the middle voice, it is like Ananias is saying to Saul, “arise, and get yourself baptized.” This would also be for Saul’s own benefit, as getting himself baptized would be unto the remission of his sins (Acts 2:38), or here, “wash away thy sins.” God will not forgive one’s sins without the required action on the part of the person in need of forgiveness. My friends, don’t sit around and wait for God to do it for you, he will not!
God requires that we put off the “old man” and put on the “new man” as Paul wrote: “Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds; (10) And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him” (Col. 3:9-10). This is like taking off and an old coat and putting on a new one. It is a requirement and God will not do it for us! Notice some of the sins which Paul identifies with the “old man:” anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication, fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness (verses 5-8). God will not remove these sins from us, as we must stop committing the sins ourselves and for ourselves. Yes, it is true, God will forgive us, he will remove the “wages of sins” from us (Rom. 6:23) once we obey the gospel of Christ! However, he will not stop us from sinning! This we must do it ourselves and for ourselves!
Here is a question, why is so offensive to so many, for someone to write that one must obey in order to have his sins forgiven? When Jesus was in the Garden of Gethsemane, he prayed, “not my will, but thine, be done.” Now read these words: “though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered” (Heb. 5:8). Are we better than the Son? What if Jesus had just sat and looked at the cross waiting for God to die for him? What about our means of salvation?
Friends, don’t sit and wait for God to do it for you! God is waiting on you; he is eagerly waiting to forgive you when you stop sinning, but he will not stop you from sinning! He will not repent for you! Think of it this way, if God would stop you from sinning, who would continue to sin? No, don’t sit and wait, get up and do it yourself and for yourself!

— Frank R. Williams

It must be understood that some laws are universal truths. In Genesis God gave the law of kind; in that he said: “And the earth brought forth grass, and herb yielding seed after his kind, and the tree yielding fruit, whose seed was in itself, after his kind: and God saw that it was good”(Gen.1:12) . We depend on this law; otherwise, the farmer would have no idea what kind of fruit might be the result of planting an apple seed. Without the law of kind, the farmer would have to wait for the seed he planted to produce fruit to know what to expect from the tree which grew from the planted seed. Look at it this way, suppose the world was in need of corn, but without the law of kind, the farmer would never know if he was going to help the world’s need for corn by the seed he planted. The seed might produce beans while the world was overrun with beans.
It is a truth; the gospel of Christ produces only Christians and the only Christians! The gospel of Christ is the spiritual seed of God; hear Peter just here: “Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever. (24) … (25) But the word of the Lord endureth for ever. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you” (1 Pet. 1:23-25). Notice the “incorruptible” seed is “the word of God,” which equals “the gospel” preached unto you. So, the seed of God produces only children of God and the only children of God. It is the law of kind at work in the spiritual realm. If we can understand this truth in the physical realm, then, we should be able to understand in the spiritual realm! So, it is truth or nothing in the area of how a child of God is produced.
The above helps us see why Jesus said to the apostles: “Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature” (Mark 16:15). The gospel of Christ is the only word that has the ability to save the lost. But, the gospel is the only word that has the ability to bring forth a child of God! If one is “born again” of the incorruptible “seed,” then, he is saved and he is a child of God. As the “seed” brings forth after its own kind; therefore, what the gospel produces is a child of God. The gospel is God’s spiritual seed! How did you think you could become a child of God? Surely it was not without the gospel; the seed of God. It is truth or nothing!
This brings us to a natural question: “Will just any teaching bring forth fellowship with God?” If you read the above with any thought at all, you should know the answer to the question. Hear John as he addressed this subject: “Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son” (2 John 9). Notice that John uses the word “abideth” two times in these few words. The Greek word is “meno” and means among other things, “to continue to be present.” These words express “fellowship,” do they not? So, the person who “abideth not in the doctrine – teaching – of Christ” is a person who does not “continue to be present” with the teaching of Christ. Now, the same thing is true with God and Christ; for John wrote: “He that abideth – continues to be present – in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son.” One could translate this verse like this: “Whosoever transgresseth, and does not continue to be present in the teaching of Christ, has no fellowship with God. He that continues to be present in the teaching of Christ, he hath fellowship with the Father and the Son.” Though this would not be a word for word translation, it fully expresses John. It is the truth or nothing!
So, just how important is “the teaching of Christ?” It is the only teaching that brings about fellowship with the Father and the Son. If, if we have fellowship with the Father, then, we are a child of God! “The teaching of Christ” is simply another way of expressing “the word of God,” which is the “seed” of God and it only produces a child of God and the only children of God!
Friends, what do you say about “truth or nothing?” In this series of articles, it has been the objective to bring before your eyes the importance of the truth as nothing else will do what truth can. It can, it has the ability, to save your soul and nothing else has such ability. Therefore, “And now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified” (Acts 20:32). Yes my friends, it is “truth or nothing!” Just as my beloved aunt said, “It will marriage or nothing,” so we must say, “It is truth, or nothing!”

— Frank R. Williams.

The importance of “the truth” may be seen in Solomon’s words: “Buy the truth, and sell it not; ..” Whatever you may be thinking of buying, if it cost you “the truth;” don’t do it, but hold on to “the truth!” You see, “the truth” can make you free from “the wages of sin” (Rom. 6:23). It is just as Jesus said: “ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free” (John 8:32). To know in our case requires many hours of study; but it first starts with honesty! Truth never gets into the heart/mind that is not honest! Thus, it is “truth or nothing!”
Have you ever noticed the words which Solomon followed with, “buy the truth, and sell it not?” They are very important to the subject! The words are: wisdom, instruction, and understanding. Solomon is saying, “Buy wisdom, and sell it not;” “buy instruction, and sell it not; and “buy understanding, and sell it not.” Therefore, Solomon is telling us, wisdom, instruction, and understanding, travel in the same container as “the truth.” Solomon also wrote: “For the LORD giveth wisdom: out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding” (Pro. 2:6). The inspired word, which comes from the mouth of the LORD, is wisdom, knowledge, instruction, and understanding. In the New Testament, Paul wrote: “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: (17) That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works” (2 Tim. 3:16-17). Though the words are different, they stand together. So, you cannot truthfully separate: wisdom, instruction, knowledge, and understanding, from “the truth.” Therefore, it is “truth or nothing!”
Every teaching, which is not “the teaching of Christ,” is not “the truth!” Not one of these “teachings” that are not “the teaching of Christ” has the ability to bring salvation to the lost soul. Yes, there are many such teachings; as each denomination has its own teaching and in this case, the plural teachings can never be one. Yet, Paul wrote there is “one faith” (Eph. 4:5). In the denominations, there are just as many teachings as there are denominations. So you are asking, “How do you know this?” If two denominational churches had the same teaching, they would not be two, but one. The teaching is identified by the name of the denominational church. Many of these denominational churches wear the name of the teaching, or a word that identifies them with a teaching fostered by a man. Here is a good time to recall the words of the apostle Paul: “Now this I say, that every one of you saith, I am of Paul; and I of Apollos; and I of Cephas; and I of Christ. (13) Is Christ divided? was Paul crucified for you? or were ye baptized in the name of Paul?” (I Cor. 1:12-13). Clearly wearing the name of any other than that of Christ is commended! So, how do you answer the question: “What are you religiously?” Go ahead and identify yourself!
Friends, why would you desire to wear any name, but Christ? It is manifestly clear, that no one but Christ was crucified for you. At the same time, if you were baptized into another, go ahead and honestly wear the name! However, it must be known, that Peter said, speaking of Jesus: “Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved” (Acts 4:12). So, to wear the name, or to be identified with the teaching of anyone, but Christ, is to be lost! John, as referred to above, pointed out that there is no fellowship with God and Christ, but to abide in “the teaching of Christ.” The word of God’s grace, by which so many desire to be justified, but refuse to abide in the “one faith!”
Here is a simple test. So you are determined that the teaching you believe in and put your salvation in, is “the teaching of Christ.” What does this teaching say about salvation and baptism? Teaching after teaching says that baptism has nothing, is not necessary, to salvation, but Peter wrote, after pointing out that Noah was saved by water: “The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us, …” (1 Pet. 3:21). Of course, you do not believe these words! Commentary after commentary says something like: “As with any single verse or passage, we discern what it teaches by first filtering it through what we know the Bible teaches on the subject at hand. In the case of baptism and salvation, the Bible is clear that salvation is by grace through faith in Jesus Christ, not by works of any kind, including baptism (Ephesians 2:8-9). So, any interpretation which comes to the conclusion that baptism, or any other act, is necessary for salvation, is a faulty interpretation.”
Friends, first the New Testament never refers to baptism as a work. It is an act of obedience; these words will clarify the necessity of obeying: “And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him” (Heb. 5:9). So, did Jesus state that baptism stands before being saved? Here is what he said: “He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned” (Mark 16:16). Here we could quote from the same writer above, but space will not allow it just now. Needless to say, the writer illogically tries to prove what Jesus said was not, “he that believeth and is baptized shall be saved.” Remember, it is “truth or nothing” that saves!

— Frank R. Williams

In this second article of this series, we will first look at Peter’s words: “Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently” (1 Pet. 1:22). Freedom from “the wages of sin” is only realized in obeying the truth. The Greek word translated “purified” is “hagnizo” and means: “to make pure, purify, cleanse.” But, it must be noted this word has the same root, “hagios,” which means: “morally blameless or religious, ceremonially consecrated.” But, it is also related to the Greek word “hagiazo,” which means: to separate from profane things and dedicate to God.” In other words, all three relate to holiness!
Yet, the word “hagios” is also translated into our English word “saint.” You see, a Christian is a “saint,” is “holy,” and “purified,” thus, separated to service to God. This requires that such a one be free from “the wages of sin;” spiritually “pure!” This being “purified” only comes through “obeying the truth!” It is easy to see the subject, “truth or nothing!” It is the case that many folks, who desire to be “purified,” seek it through a teaching that is not “the truth.” Yes, they believe it is “the truth,” but truth is truth only as revealed; the teaching of Christ (2 John 9). It is time to take a look at Second John: “Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son” (verse 9). Now, let us take a look at some of the words in this verse.
First, the word “transgresseth,” which is the Greek, “parabaino” and has one of its meanings:” to go past or pass over without touching a thing.” It is to run beside, let us say the race track, but the runner passes over the line that marks the track; taking himself off the track itself. Thus, you are no longer in the race at all. Another meaning is: “to overstep, neglect, violate.” In this case, the runner “oversteps” the race track and violates the rules of the race; therefore, disqualifies himself from the race. A third meaning is: “to go past as to turn aside from.” Here the runner is running with the other runners, but turns aside from the teaching of Christ and follows something else, so he is not in the race. Now, let us notice once more the meaning: “to go past as to turn aside from.” Once more the runner is racing right along, but goes past the lines that mark the track; so he is no longer in the race. In each case there is no way for this runner to win the race, as he is not on the track! The “track” being “the teaching of Christ,” which is the only teaching where salvation is to be found!
It should be easy to understand the words under which these articles are written: “Truth or nothing!” The only way of being “purified,” sanctified,” “holy,” and to be a “saint,” is by obeying the truth and nothing else! There are many, many, teachings out there and they are heard every day; and some of these folks give themselves to these teachings. They honesty believe that salvation is the result, but friends, they are on the outside “track.” They run hard; they give themselves to such teaching completely, and never question their salvation. They even close their ears to “the truth,” their minds not even once thinking that salvation may be in another teaching, “the truth!” For they honestly believe that one teaching is just as good as another. Yet, Jesus made it so clear, only a closed mind, will not consider, “I might be wrong.”
Jesus said, “Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: (14) Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it” (Matt. 7:13-14). Then, he said only a few verses later: “Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. (22) Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? (23) And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity” (Matt. 7:21-23).
Friends, how many of you think your salvation is sure, but who have never really thought that in what you believe, what you are putting the trust of your salvation of your soul, might not be “the teaching of Christ?” You see, it really is “truth or nothing” that saves!

— Frank R. Williams

A little true story to introduce this series of articles will be useful. A number of years ago my aunt, whom I always referred to as, my beloved aunt, had an occasion to speak the words, “It will be marriage or nothing.” Here is what happened.
My uncle died and unknown to my aunt, her high school “sweetheart’s” wife also died. She lived in Oklahoma and he in California. He was a member of the Bob Wills Texas Playboys. You older folks will remember Bob Wills and his “western swing” kind of music. He was in Oklahoma making a “Bob Wills Reunion” tour. To make a long story short, my aunt went to hear him and at first sight, their love was reborn. After spending some time together, he turned to her and said, “We’re gonna have to get married or something.” At which time my aunt said: “It will be marriage or nothing!” This brings us to the title under which this series of articles will be written: “It is truth or nothing!”
With this introduction, let us notice the importance of truth! Our first text reads: “Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; (32) And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free” (John 8:31-32). Here, Jesus is addressing Jews who believed on him before the cross. They did not have the “truth” at this time, but if they would “continue in” his word, in the teaching he was doing, then, they would come to know the truth as it would be delivered on the first Pentecost after his ascension.
The “truth” is the word of God, just as Jesus would pray: “Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.” (John 17:17). In this context, Jesus is praying on behalf of those who would be his apostles. The word “sanctify” is the Greek “hagiazo” and means, “to separate from profane things and dedicate to God.” They would become the living orators of the gospel; thus, separated from the common into the spiritual service of God, through Christ.
The “truth” in John chapter eight, is not freedom from the Romans, as Jesus would have nothing to do with such, but it is freedom from the thing mankind needed most. It is freedom from the wages of sin. Here it is freedom from the wages of sin through the “truth or nothing!” As freedom from the wages of sin is only realized through the “truth!” It is more than likely that we do not fully understand just how great the first Pentecost after the resurrection of Jesus really was; for on this day, for the first time in all of human history the gospel – the “truth” – was preached for the lost to obey it! It was the day of freedom from the wages of sin, in all its fullness, was first announced! Here was what all mankind had needed from the first sin ever committed. The way of true and total freedom from “the wages of sin” was now reality! Life from death, as Paul wrote: “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord” (Rom. 6:23). Notice, as Paul wrote, it was not “just” freedom from “the wages of sin” now, but unto eternal life.
Now, just what else has the ability to free mankind from “the wages of sin?” Nothing, but the truth, the gospel of Christ! Someone may object, “I thought it was the blood of Jesus.” Give some thought to this, the blood of Jesus runs through the gospel of Christ, from beginning to the end! You cannot find the blood of Jesus anywhere else! As Jesus said: “For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins” (Matt. 26:28). If you look at the gospel and do not see the blood of Jesus, your spiritual eyesight is blind!
Friends, it truly is “the truth or nothing!” It is totally reasonable to say to you, give all it takes to find “the truth,” as it is “the teaching of Christ! Nothing else, when obeyed, will give you freedom from “the wages of sins!”

— Frank R. Williams

If you were going to get people to love God, just how would you go about it? Better yet, before worrying about another and how to get him to love God, let us start with our self. What did it take for you to love God? What was the single act, or was it a number of acts, then, which one brought on full love of God? It is good that each of us deal with such a question!
We all know the words of Jesus, when he identified the first commandment: “And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment” (Mark 12:30). This being the first commandment, there must be good reason for our love of God. God would not just command us to love him without good reason. So, just how do we answer the question: “Why should I love God?”
First, just look out and see the earth and its fruit. Can you truly think of something more beautiful in a physical world? Reach down and the touch the green grass, smell a rose, look at an eagle flying in the sky, taste the apple, drink the water from a clear cool stream, watch the snow as it falls to the earth, and breathe the air that is everywhere. Then, look up, see the clouds and all the shapes, look higher and view the sun, then, at night see the moon, and all the stars. No, this is just the beginning; the universe is so large and full, that we are just beginning to learn of its greatness. Then, hear the laugher of a little child; receive a hug of someone who loves you. It all comes from God: “In the beginning God created.”
As great as the above are, God created man with an eternal spirit, a spirit that shall exist without ending. Enjoy all the good this earth has, but there is heaven waiting after this life is over! The God who created us has invited all humanity to share all the blessings that his eternal home has. Then, while living here and enjoying all the physical blessings this earth has to offer, but as we do so, we know we can also have the best spiritual life which can be had, while doing so!
This comes to us as a result of God’s love for us. You see, at one time or another, we sin against our creator! Even though he has shown us his love in every good physical way there is, we reject his holy manner of life and we sin. We disobey his commandments, even though they are all for our good, but we seek the “forbidden” fruit of Satan! We become convinced that we know better than God! How foolish, but the “forbidden” fruit looks so good, we just must have it. Sin has now taken us away from God and his holiness; Isaiah put it this way: “Behold, the LORD’S hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear: (2) But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear” (Isa. 59:1-2). You see, God cannot, yes that’s right, God cannot violate his own holiness; therefore, it is that our own sins that now stand between us and God! The darkest moment in our lives is when we sin, thereby, separating ourselves from God. Eternal separation now stands before us and we are without any hope of being able to change our now dead state!
So, what are we to do? Friends, there is nothing, no not one thing, that we can do to repair our spiritual state, but God in his love, yes, even while we stand in rejection of his way; God moved by his love for us and prepared a way for our forgiveness! Paul tells us: “But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us (Rom. 5:8). Yes, God and only God had the answer to our dead state, separated from him.
Now, what does it take for you to love God? What does it take for you to lovingly obey his commandments? The all-knowing God said through Paul: “For bodily exercise profiteth little: but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come” ( 1 Tim. 4:8). There is heaven, in the words “and of that which is to come!” Do you love God enough to believe that heaven is greater than anything on earth? Do you love God enough to keep his commandments? If not, there will be no heaven for you!
Friends, Is what God has done for you enough for you to love him and in that love obey his commandments?

— Frank R. Williams

Freely I proclaim “I love God” and I am highly offended if someone challenges my claim, but where is the evidence? God has given us all the evidence necessary to prove beyond any shadow of doubt that he loves us. Take a look at some of the evidence.
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life” (John 3:16). God, in the giving of his Son as seen in the words, “he gave his only begotten Son,” refers to the death of Jesus upon the cross. Once more, look at the cross; see the crown of thorns and the blood, see the nails in Jesus’ hands and feet and the blood, see the soldier as the spear pierced his side and the blood; there is God giving his “only begotten Son!” There is evidence of God’s love for us. The word “world,” refers to those who are lost. Paul describes our state in these words: “But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us” (Rom. 5:8). Can you see our state, “the world”? For God so loved us “while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us!” Speak of love, it cannot get any greater! When you read the words which express God’s love for you, does it produce love in your heart for God?
To know that someone loves us, gives us strength; it means we are worth something to someone! The price they are willing to pay to prove such love should produce even greater love within us. Therefore, give some thought to what God did. First, there was lost mankind, without any means of being saved; without any hope of being saved. Only God, as understood in the word “Godhead,” all that is God; looks upon helpless mankind and forms the only plan by which salvation can be realized. One of the Godhead must leave heaven, be clothed with humanity, and then be put to death. God, the creator of humanity, must now become humanity. Paul describes these events: “Who (Christ, frw) being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: (7) But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: (8) And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross” (Phil 2:6-8). There it is, written by inspiration, but do we understand it? Paul starts with one who is God, with the Father and the Holy Spirit; then, he takes us into an area which we find hard to comprehend; he “thought it not robbery to be equal with God.” The hardest word here is “robbery” (harpagmos). Remember, we are starting with God, and Paul is telling us, that one who is God thought it not something to be held fast, retained; if it meant mankind could never be saved. So, he “made himself of no reputation (kenoō).” He emptied himself of that equality of God, “and took upon him the form of a servant!” Yes, this is the same word in the phrase, “in the form (kenoō) of God;” but now he is taking on another form; namely, that of a servant! From all that is God, to all that is a servant! This takes us to the words he “was made in the likeness of men.” Therefore, “being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself;”” he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death.” But his was a death with purpose: “even the death of the cross!” Though there is so much in the words of Paul, some beyond our ability to comprehend; nevertheless, Paul has taken us once more to the cross. Paul has also explained to us the words of John: “And the Word (God, frw) was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth” (John 1:14). Jesus lived and died while being “full of grace and truth!”
What was it all about? Friends, it was about God loving you! Is it hard to love one who so loved you? No, humbly fall to your spiritual knees, and totally surrender yourself in love, to the one who so loved you!

— Frank R. Williams

The religious world in general, which claims to be Christian, freely proclaims, “I love God!” It has even been known to put bumper stickers on their cars which read, “Honk if you love Jesus.” They are even known to put up signs which read, “Jesus is Lord.” Do these things really mean anything? Recall the words of Jesus: “Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven” (Matt. 7:21). Look, in view of Jesus’ words, do you see the bumper stickers and the signs fading away?
Loving God must be produced; it must be based upon what God has done for us! It is not uncommon to hear, “Let me tell you what God had done for me.” Then, we hear, “I got a good job last week,” “My brother, who had cancer, was healed and now he is free from cancer.” Please don’t look at that sinner over there, for he too got a better job, and his brother was healed of cancer; for if you do, there goes “testimonials!” We need to understand that God “maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust” (Matt. 5:45). It is not evidence that a person is being favored by God, just because he has better crop, gets a better job, or is healed of cancer! Before you hit the ceiling, just look around, do you see sinners of the worst kind, who are making more money year after year than a faithful child of God? Sure you do! So, when above it was written: “Loving God must be produced; it must be based upon what God has done for us!” It was not these physical things that happen, good or bad, which produced love within the heart for God.
No, love for God is first produced by understanding that he loved me when I was a hopelessly lost sinner! When my eternity was marked hell-bound with no reprieve! I must look at the cross and see love, the love God had/has for me. When I desire to tell you what God has done for me, this is where I will start! Here is undisputable evidence of God’s love and if this does not produce love in my heart for him; please tell me what will? While on the subject, it is not wearing a cross around your neck, it is not having those so-called paintings of Jesus in your house; no, it is the cross planted deep in the heart/mind; evidenced by keeping his commandments that proves my love for God. Oh yes, I know God loves me, for the Bible tells me so!
Here is what God has done for me. He has forgiven me of my past sins; those sins that separated me from him. I remember the day “my sins were washed away!” As the preacher said: “And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord” (Acts 22:16). I remember as Paul wrote: “Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? (4) Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life” (Rom. 6:3-4). I remember arising from the watery grave of baptism wet with water, but cleaned by the blood of Jesus. So, you want to tell me what God has done for you; don’t tell me about the better job you got; just read from the inspired page. Yes, I love God because he forgave me of my past sins “for the Bible tells me so!”
Here is what God has done for me. He has, as a child of his, given me a way to be forgiven of the sins I commit from time to time. As John wrote: “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9). Yes, John was writing to children of God; so even though I commit sins from day to day, God has still given me away to be forgiven. So don’t tell me about being healed of cancer, as I would rather be healed of my sins! I know it is true, “for the Bible tells me so!”
Do you find it hard to love God? Just look up, see the cross and the sinless one hanging upon it and love God! Then, don’t tell me of your love, show me!

— Frank R. Williams