Author: Stan Cox

Man is a worshipful being. Through the history of mankind, in every culture, whether in ignorance or knowledge, man has appealed to someone or something outside of himself for guidance and protection. Pagan idolatry is an example of that “ignorant” worship. Paul declared to the idolatrous Athenians, “Men of Athens, I perceive that in all things you are very religious; for as I was passing through and considering the objects of your worship, I even found an altar with this inscription: TO THE UNKNOWN GOD. Therefore, the One whom you worship without knowing, Him I proclaim to you” (Acts 17:22-23).

Continue reading “The Concept of Worship to God” →

“Behold, the Lord’s hand is not shortened, That it cannot save; Nor His ear heavy, That it cannot hear. But your iniquities have separated you from your God; And your sins have hidden His face from you, So that He will not hear” (Isaiah 59:1-2).

It has been established that God is holy, and demands holiness from those who would belong to Him. God demands and rightfully expects obedience from man because he is God, “Therefore you shall observe all My statutes and all My judgments, and perform them: I am the Lord” (Leviticus 19:37).

Continue reading “God’s Attitude Toward Sin” →

In the Old Testament, the concept of sanctification and holiness was broad.  It included not only living in accord with God’s standard of morality, but, for the Jews, it also included the ritualistic requirements of the covenant He had with Israel.

The book of Leviticus contains many laws required of the Israelites that they might be undefiled before Jehovah.  It was necessary that they observe these laws, both moral and ceremonial, in order to be considered clean and worthy of worshipping Him.  Concerning these laws, Jehovah said, “Therefore you shall observe all My statutes and all My judgments, and perform them:  I am the Lord” (Leviticus 19:37). Continue reading “Holiness As Defined by Christ” →

A series of articles dealing with moral issues from the standpoint of Man’s call to be sanctified, based upon the Holiness of God

“But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear” (1 Peter 3:15).

Peter’s text expresses the fundamental nature of discipleship. The term sanctify (hagiazo) is defined by Arndt and Gingrich as “treat as holy, reverence.” Thayer states “to render or acknowledge to be venerable, to hallow.” The Lord God is to be enthroned in our heart. Such veneration is logical, as He is Lord. A failure to reverence Him is a failure in discipleship.

The text is very similar to a passage found in the book of Isaiah. The King James version renders Isaiah 8:13, “Sanctify the LORD of hosts himself; and let him be your fear, and let him be your dread.” A contrast is here made between men and God. God is the one to be feared. He is the one we are to concern ourselves with, rather than men. The Christian ought never to make decisions based upon what men think. Rather, our sole concern should be to please God. Jesus said, “And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell” (Matthew 10:28).

Leviticus 19 serves to establish what God expects of man, and why. Note the following examples:

“Every one of you shall revere his mother and his father, and keep My Sabbaths: I am the LORD your God” (vs. 3).

“Do not turn to idols, nor make for yourselves molded gods: I am the LORD your God” (vs. 4).

“You shall not steal, nor deal falsely, nor lie to one another. And you shall not swear by My name falsely, nor shall you profane the name of your God: I am the LORD.” (vs. 11-12).

“You shall keep My Sabbaths and reverence My sanctuary: I am the LORD” (vs. 30).

“Therefore you shall observe all My statutes and all My judgments, and perform them: I am the LORD“ (vs. 37).

God requires us to live lives of righteousness, submitting ourselves to His will. This is required of us because He is “the LORD.” Remember Peter’s statement in 1 Peter 1:15-16, “But as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, because it is written, ‘Be holy, for I am holy.'”

Here is the lesson: In order for us to truly sanctify God in our hearts, we must live consecrated lives. This truth is established time and again in the New Testament. In 1 Corinthians 6 Paul wrote of the past conduct of some of the Christians in that city. He wrote of fornication, idolatry, homosexuality, thievery and drunkenness. Concerning those characterized by ungodliness, Paul wrote in verse 11, “And such were some of you. But you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God.”

As we are “sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints,” (cf. 1 Corinthians 1:2), we must put off sinful practices, and live lives of holiness before Him.

Paul stated it clearly to the Thessalonians.

“Finally then, brethren, we urge and exhort in the Lord Jesus that you should abound more and more, just as you received from us how you ought to walk and to please God; for you know what commandments we gave you through the Lord Jesus. For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you should abstain from sexual immorality; that each of you should know how to possess his own vessel in sanctification and honor, not in passion of lust, like the Gentiles who do not know God; that no one should take advantage of and defraud his brother in this matter, because the Lord is the avenger of all such, as we also forewarned you and testified. For God did not call us to uncleanness, but in holiness” (1 Thessalonians 4:1-7).

God desires that we be holy and righteous in our life. When he called us, (remember, sanctify basically means to consecrate or set apart), he did not intend for us to live as does the world. The calling of God is of a higher order and requires moral, ethical and doctrinal purity. In this specific context, we are to “abstain from sexual immorality,” but the principle applies equally in every facet of our lives before God.

As Christians we will be tempted to compromise our calling. A lowering of standards is unacceptable. Remember, we must hallow God in our hearts. Paul wrote:

“Therefore if anyone cleanses himself from the latter [in this context, false doctrine], he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified and useful for the Master, prepared for every good work. Flee also youthful lusts; but pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart” (2 Tim. 2:21-22)

We are sanctified (called out) to live holy (sanctified) lives. This we must do if we are truly venerating (sanctifying) the Lord God in our hearts.

A series of articles dealing with moral issues from the standpoint of Man’s call to be sanctified, based upon the Holiness of God

In 1 Peter 1:13-16, the apostle Peter wrote:

“Therefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and rest your hope fully upon the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; as obedient children, not conforming yourselves to the former lusts, as in your ignorance; but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, because it is written, “Be holy, for I am holy.”

Here Peter revealed the basis of the appeal made to holy living on the part of those who name Christ as their savior. We are to be holy because God is Holy. It is not an arbitrary requirement, nor is it capricious. Further, holiness is to be defined by the nature of God rather than the customs of men. Finally, holiness should be present in every aspect of the Christian’s conduct.

Because the call to holiness is so important, God’s children should have a clear idea of what is required of them. In our time the call is muted and distorted by the static of worldliness. Too often Christians either ignore or are unaware of the standard God has set for his people. They compromise the mark God has set, and are guilty of embracing a morality that has its genesis in the mind of man rather than the mind of the Creator. Let’s examine the basis of God’s call to his children to be Holy.

The Holiness of God

The reference in 1 Peter is to a passage in Leviticus, (the phrase is used in 11:44-45, 19:2; 20:7). In Leviticus 19:1-2, it is recorded:

“And the LORD spoke to Moses, saying, ‘Speak to all the congregation of the children of Israel, and say to them: ‘You shall be holy, for I the LORD your God am holy.’”

The phrase bookends a section of scripture detailing various laws prescribed by God to maintain the purity of the people. Sins such as fornication, adultery, incest and idolatry are condemned. The term holy is the Hebrew qadowsh, and is defined as “pure, clean, free from defilement of crimes, idolatry, and other unclean and profane things.” (Gesenius, pg. 722). While application will later be made regarding the call for holiness on our part, note that characteristically, God is holy. He is pure, clean, and free from any defilement. As James wrote, “Let no one say when he is tempted, ‘I am tempted by God’; for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He Himself tempt anyone” (James 1:13). He is perfect in His holiness.

Numerous Old Testament passages can be cited to establish how Jehovah God was known to Israel. Note the following:

“To whom then will you liken Me, Or to whom shall I be equal?” says the Holy One. Lift up your eyes on high, And see who has created these things, Who brings out their host by number; He calls them all by name, By the greatness of His might And the strength of His power; Not one is missing” (Isaiah 40:25-26).

“God came from Teman, The Holy One from Mount Paran. Selah His glory covered the heavens, And the earth was full of His praise” (Habakkuk 3:3).

“Yes, again and again they tempted God, And limited the Holy One of Israel” (Psalm 78:41).

Isaiah again and again referred to God as the “Holy One of Israel” (cf. 1:4; 5:19, 24; 10:17, 20; 12:6; 17:7; 29:19, 23; 30:11, 12, 15; 41:14, 16, 20; 43:3, 14; 45:11; 47:4; 48:17).

What becomes obvious, both in the view Israel held toward God, and God’s own actions against sin and ungodliness, is His utter abhorrence of anything unclean.

An interesting example of this is the law given to Israel respecting the purging of human filth from the camp in Deuteronomy 23. Verse 14 says, “For the LORD your God walks in the midst of your camp, to deliver you and give your enemies over to you; therefore your camp shall be holy, that He may see no unclean thing among you, and turn away from you.” The term holy here is the same qadowsh, and here indicates cleanliness.

The message of the Old Testament trumpets the Holiness of God. When God first introduced himself to Moses as he tended the flocks of Jethro, He said, “Do not draw near this place. Take your sandals off your feet, for the place where you stand is holy ground” (Exodus 3:5)

Israel at Mount Sinai was not able to go up the mountain, as it was consecrated in the presence of God. God said, “You shall set bounds for the people all around, saying, ‘Take heed to yourselves that you do not go up to the mountain or touch its base. Whoever touches the mountain shall surely be put to death. Not a hand shall touch him, but he shall surely be stoned or shot with an arrow; whether man or beast, he shall not live.’ When the trumpet sounds long, they shall come near the mountain” (Exodus 19:12-13). And, it was necessary for the priests to “consecrate” (purify, sanctify) themselves before approaching God “lest the Lord break out against them” (vs. 22).

When the tabernacle was built, and later the temple, the inner sanctum of Jehovah was designated at the Most Holy Place. “Then the priests brought in the ark of the covenant of the LORD to its place, into the inner sanctuary of the temple, to the Most Holy Place, under the wings of the cherubim” (2 Chronicles 5:7).

When Nadab and Abihu offered profane fire in a sacrifice to God, “fire went out from the Lord and devoured them, and they died before the Lord.” God gave the reason for such a punishment, saying, “By those who come near Me I must be regarded as holy; And before all the people I must be glorified” (Leviticus 10:3).

Conclusion

The text of Leviticus 10 establishes the same principle stated by our initial text in 1 Peter 1. Because God is holy, we must also be holy. To conduct ourselves in a manner less than that prescribed by the nature of God is to treat Him with contempt. His nature and treatment of man demands a commensurate respect and obeisance on our part. The Old Testament shows this in Israel’s fear and respect for Jehovah, and in God’s response when they rebelled. He expects no less from His children today.

Let None Deal Treacherously
An examination of God’s Law (and the error of men) on the subject of Marriage, Divorce & Remarriage
(Article 9 and Final of Series)

The assertion of thiese articles (Later self-published in booklet form) has been that the Lord’s teaching regarding marriage and divorce is straightforward, and easily understood. Simply stated, it is: One man, One woman, for a lifetime. Continue reading “An Addendum” →

Let None Deal Treacherously
An examination of God’s Law (and the error of men) on the subject of Marriage, Divorce & Remarriage
(Article 8 of Series)

When error is taught religiously, history shows people to be divided into one of three groups. First, there are those who advocate the error. Second, there are those who combat the error. And, finally, there are those who seek to minimize the differences, thus compromising with the error. Issues in the past 150 years have shown this to be true with the battles over the instrument in worship, and with the institutional issues that troubled brethren in the middle of the last century. Continue reading “Fellowship and Controversy” →

Let None Deal Treacherously
An examination of God’s Law (and the error of men) on the subject of Marriage, Divorce & Remarriage
(Article 6 in Series)

To define the “mental divorce” position, we refer to both formal propositions, and a common scenario. First, the proposition, which some who advocate the position have signed:

The scriptures teach that the innocent person (free of fornication) who has been put away without God’s or his/her approval and against whom adultery has been committed may remarry.

Next, the scenario, which establishes the contention in plain language:

When Jack puts away Jill for a reason other than fornication, though he obtains a civil divorce, they are not really divorced. It is called divorce only “accomodatively”. If Jack then remarries another woman, he is guilty of adultery. So, he can now be mentally put away by Jill. This is the real divorce. Now, Jill is free to remarry.

Both the above proposition and the scenario is used by Donnie Rader in his book, Divorce and Remarriage: What Does the Text Say, page 74. Rader states, “Actually this is an effort by some to justify remarriage following an unlawful divorce.”
Rader’s assessment of the position is accurate, and the mental divorce position is not defensible from scripture. Continue reading “Mental Divorce” →

Let None Deal Treacherously
An examination of God’s Law (and the error of men) on the subject of Marriage, Divorce and Remarriage
(Article 5 of Series)

Sophistry is defined by Webster as “deceptively subtle reasoning or argumentation”. That which is sophistic is “plausible but fallacious”. Another term used for fallacious reasoning or argumentation is specious. Webster defines specious as, “having a false look of truth or genuineness”. Continue reading “Defining and Redefining Adultery” →

Let None Deal Treacherously
An examination of God’s Law (and the error of men) on the subject of Marriage, Divorce & Remarriage
(Article 4 of Series)

There are myriad positions taken regarding who has the right to divorce and remarry. Most of these positions do violence to the rule established in this series, one man, one woman, for a lifetime. It may be an attempt to bring in more “exceptions” in addition to the one specified by Jesus in Matthew 19:9, fornication. It may be speculation regarding what happens after the bond is broken. It may be a blatant denial of plain teaching. One of these positions contends that while the rule is valid, it applies only to those who are Christians. Continue reading “Are Non-Christians Amenable to Jesus’ Teaching on Divorce and Remarriage?” →

Let None Deal Treacherously
An examination of God’s Law (and the error of men) on the subject of Marriage, Divorce & Remarriage
(Article 7 of Series)

In the January 2001 issue of Watchman Magazine 1, Terence Sheridan and Harry Osborne debated the following proposition under the heading, “Biblical Putting Away.”

The scriptures teach that biblical putting away is synonymous with the civil procedure for divorce in one’s respective society and that the innocent one must secure that civil divorce in order to have a right to remarry.

Sheridan affirmed the proposition, while Osborne denied it. Continue reading “A Race to the Courthouse” →

Let None Deal Treacherously
An examination of God’s Law (and the error of men) on the subject of Marriage, Divorce & Remarriage
(Article 3 in Series)

(1 Corinthians 7)

In establishing the Lord’s law regarding marriage, (one man, one woman, for a lifetime), and noting the one exception to that law (fornication), the question is sometimes asked, “What about what Paul said in 1 Corinthians 7:15?”

The verse reads, “But if the unbeliever departs, let him depart; a brother or a sister is not under bondage in such cases. But God has called us to peace.” Some have taken this to be a privilege granted by Paul to the Christian to remarry if she (or he) is deserted by her/his unbelieving mate. The “Pauline Privilege” has been added to the Lord’s “exception” of Matthew 19:9 as another just reason for divorce and remarriage. Continue reading “Paul’s Instructions Regarding Marriage” →

Let None Deal Treacherously
An examination of God’s Law (and the error of men) on the subject of Marriage, Divorce & Remarriage
(Article 2 of Series)

The Bible clearly states that marriage is a lifetime commitment. When a man marries a woman, they “become one flesh”, and Jesus said, “Therefore what God has joined together, let not man separate” (Matthew 19:6). Further, Paul wrote, “For the woman who has a husband is bound by the law to her husband as long as he lives. But if the husband dies, she is released from the law of her husband” (Romans 7:2). Obviously, God considers marriage to be a lifetime commitment, the contract of marriage ending only at the death of a spouse. Continue reading “The Exception to the Rule: Fornication” →

Even a casual observer can see that the society in which we live has a cavalier attitude toward the marriage bond. Marriages are entered into, and dissolved, with alarming frequency. Recently, the National Center for Health released a report which found that 43% of first marriages end in separation or divorce within 15 years. Continue reading “The Rule: One Man, One Woman, for a lifetime” →

On several occasions the apostle Paul used the Greek athletic games to illustrate the need for zeal in the Christian life. Paul wrote to the Corinthians,

Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it. And everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an imperishable crown. Therefore I run thus: not with uncertainty. Thus I fight: not as one who beats the air. But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified (1 Corinthians 9:24-27).

The word temperate here comes from the Greek word egkrateuomai and is used in the New Testament only here and in 1 Corinthians 7:9. In that passage it has reference to sexual chastity, and here refers to the training and self-denial that was a part of the 10-month training process of the Greek athlete. It literally means, to exercise self-restraint (in diet and chastity), (Strongs).

Thayer says the word means, to be self-controlled, continent… in a figure drawn from athletes, who in preparing themselves for the games abstained from unwholesome food, wine, and sexual indulgence.

Notice the following quotes concerning the athlete’s training, from ancient sources, taken from Wuest’s Bypaths in the Greek New Testament, pages 53-54.

Thou must be orderly, living on spare food; abstain from confections; make a point of exercising at the appointed time, in heat and in cold; nor drink cold water or wine at hazard. (Epictetus)

The youth who would win the race hath borne and done much, he hath sweat and hath been cold: he hath abstained from love and wine. (Horace)

They are constrained, harassed, wearied. (Tertullian, commending the example of the Greek athlete to Christians).

As Wuest states, “If we Christians would exercise as much care and self-denial, and rigidly hold to a life of separation as did the Greek athlete, what powerful, successful, God-glorifying lives we would live. Illustrations such as these were not lost upon Paul’s Greek readers” (pg. 54, ibid).

Paul here points out a contrast between the motivation of the athlete and that of the Christian. He writes, “Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an imperishable crown.” The perishable crown referred to here was called a chaplet. It was a woven crown of oak leaves, and was the sole prize given to the athlete. Consider how much time and effort, how much discipline and self-denial the athlete invested in order to attain such a small reward. Next, consider the value of the crown supplied to the victorious child of God!

At the end of his life, Paul talked about the crown that had been reserved for him. He wrote, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing” (2 Timothy 4:7-8). No doubt during the difficulties of his life, the hope of the crown sustained Paul. He suffered greatly for the cause of His Lord. He endured imprisonment, torture, shipwreck and treachery. He gave up everything he had held dear prior to his conversion. He did it for the Lord, with his eternal destiny in view.

Here he points out that the crown, the object of his life for Christ, was available not only to him, but to all who seek the Lord. But, it takes dedication and zeal. Going back to his message to the Corinthians, Paul wrote in verse 24, “Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it.” This does not indicate that only one Christian will actually get the crown of life; rather it indicates the type of zeal we must have to be acceptable to God.

The Christian race is not a “fun run.” We should not approach it as a hobby, something to do on a sunny day. Rather, it should be to us as competition is to the Olympic athlete. We must give ourselves to it totally, and deny all else that we may obtain the victory in Christ.

The Hebrew writer likewise refers to the Christian life as a race, and establishes the focus we must have in our efforts. “Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God” (Hebrews 12:1-2). We must set aside any encumbrance, and run the race with a narrow focus. In our lives, we must constantly look to Jesus. We must always consider the eternal reward of His presence, and never grow weary in the progress we make toward that goal.

I may not have the skill of the Olympic athlete, but I can have the zeal and focus to obtain the imperishable crown which God has reserved for those “who have loved His appearing.”