From the Pen of Paul

The Double Effect of the Gospel

Paul writes of his work in proclaiming the gospel in II Corinthians 2:15-16: "For we are unto God a sweet savour of Christ, in them that are saved, and in them that perish. To the one we are the savour of death unto death; and to the other the savour of life unto life." In these two verses Paul expresses the double effect of the gospel. Paul preached the truth as a minister, and his work of preaching Christ was pleasing to God, whatever the results might be.

It is also a solemn fact that in the scheme of redemption nothing that God has said or done is indifferent. Everything is a two-edged sword. All the privileges provided by God, all means of grace are either a blessing or a curse depending on how they are used or accepted. The exact same message is to some "foolishness," and to others "it is the power of God" (I Cor. 1:18). The one group will listen to the message and perish; the other group will be saved. This double effect of the gospel is set forth in Luke 2:34-35 by Simeon speaking of the child Jesus, "Behold, this child is set for the fall and rising again of many in Israel; and for a sign which shall be spoken against; (Yea a sword shall pierce through thy own soul also,) that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed." It is also stated in the words of our Lord in John 9:39, "For judgment I am come into this world, that they which see not might see; and they which see might be made blind." What would cause some to see and others to be made blind? The same thing—the preaching of the truth by Jesus. What would cause these effects? The way His message was received. To the one it would be "the savour of death unto death" and to the other "the savour of life unto life."

This double effect of the gospel can also be seen in the fact that God created man with free will and thus the ability to decide for himself how he would respond to His gracious offers. In the Garden of Eden, Adam and Eve had to decide how to react to God's instructions. Obeying them would have meant life and happiness; disobedience brought death. The instructions did not change; the results were decided by man's reaction to those instructions. Man has always been free to choose. Read and study carefully Deuteronomy 30:15-20, Joshua 24:15, and Matthew 7:13-14. In each instance God's way is laid out; man then must decide how he is going to react. God gives him this freedom; however man must live with the consequences of those choices. Will God's instructions, His statutes, His commandments, His promises, His blessings, His gospel become a "savour of death" or a "savour of life" unto you?

Those already dead in trespasses and sins only sink deeper and deeper by each rejection of truth; and by each rejection of truth they are brought closer to the second death. On the other hand, those who have found new life in Christ, and have become "a new creation" in Christ (II Cor. 5:17) are led higher and closer to their eternal reward with each successive hearing and accepting of the truth. To the first group the gospel message becomes "a savour of death unto death" and to the second group that exact same message becomes "a savour of life unto life."

Jesus warned, "Take heed how ye hear" (Luke 8:18). Of the Athenians and strangers which were in Athens when Paul preached on Mars' hill, it is said that they "spent their time in nothing else, but either to tell, or to hear some new thing" (Acts 17:21). Such are those who are "tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness" (Eph. 4:14). And yet others are attuned to hearing God's word and properly evaluating and accepting it. Paul speaks highly of the Thessalonian saints because of the way they received the gospel. He writes, "For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe" (I Thess. 2:13).

How are you treating the word of God? Are you permitting it to be "a savour of life unto life" for you? Or is it "a savour of death unto death" due to your rejection of it? Remember you will be judged by that message (John 12:48). How we treat it now will determine what happens to us then!
—Paul Wilmoth

From the Preacher's Viewpoint. . .

We have tried to work with others in the kingdom of God even though we do not agree with them on small matters. We believe some men could have been much stronger in their stand for truth than they have been and have told them so. But we see no reason to refuse fellowship over this matter. We have seen brethren appear on various lectureships and public affairs without taking a stand against some who were liberal in their thinking and it was known to be so. But we have tried to encourage these brethren to be strong in the Lord and the power of His might (Eph. 6:11). No, we have not disfellowshipped them for their possible lack of courage or lack of understanding. There are many such like things that have come before us for the past 30 years and we do our best to get along with these brethren to the best of our ability. We will never give up doctrinal truth for any reason.

Some brethren have said we have been too strict in our stand for truth and that we have drawn a very small circle around us. They have accused us of withdrawal from a great many in the brotherhood. We have withdrawn from all denominational churches of Christ and their preachers — by withdrawal we mean we have marked them and their preachers and teachers. Some might say: What is a denominational church of Christ? A denominational church of Christ is one that has joined the denominations in doctrine and fellowship. They no longer stand for and teach the truth of God's Word. From such we have turned away and encourage others to do the same biblical thing (Rom. 16:17).

We have tried always to lean over backwards to get along and we have always tried to give our brethren the benefit of the doubt in certain matters. We will always be of this disposition but we will not compromise and give up the truth ever. You can count on this. God help us to love the brotherhood and follow the Bible in all things commanded therein.
—Malcolm L. Hill