Issue 16 The BBIBLICALIBLICAL INSTRUCTIONINSTRUCTION ANDAND ENCOURAGEMENTENCOURAGEMENT FORFOR THETHE MISSIONMISSION FIELD FIELD WORLDWIDE WORLDWIDE. “CLEANSE FIRST” Jesus looked on the scribes and forth from the heart” (Matthew 15:17 their works but by grace through faith Pharisees and admonished them: “Ye -20). If the heart is not right with God, (Ephesians 2:8-9). Once the heart has make clean the outside of the cup and all outward standards and works will been changed through the power of of the platter, but within they are full be in vain. An outward standard to Jesus Christ, the child of God is to of extortion and excess. cleanse hide unrighteousness in the heart is follow after holiness in every aspect of first that which is within . that the hypocrisy. life, or he will not see the Lord outside of them may be clean (Hebrews 12:14). also. Even so ye also The salvation of the soul brings outwardly appear righteous unto radical change. “Being made free men, but within ye are full of from sin, and become servants to hypocrisy and iniquity” God, ye have your fruit unto (Matthew 23:25-28 KJV). holiness, and the end everlasting The Pharisees dressed in such a life” (Romans 6:22). Sin, pride, way that they might look lust, immodesty, etc. is cleansed righteous and holy before the and put away. “Be renewed in people. Jesus knew their hearts the spirit of your mind; And that and instructed them to “cleanse ye put on the new man, which first” the inward man. Far more after God is created in important than the type of clothing is Christ did not negate the importance righteousness and true the condition of heart before God. of dressing modestly. Rather, He holiness” (Ephesians 4:21-24). Some people today do as the self- emphasized the fact that it is the The preponderance of scripture righteous Pharisees of yesterday. They heart that needs cleansing first, then focuses on the importance of the not only seek for justification through the outside would be clean also. inward man, for when the inward man their good works and modest clothing Modesty and godly dress is imputed is in conformity to the spirit of Christ, but they glory in it. Jesus taught that it to a person for righteousness only the resulting outward fruit will be holy. was not the outward things that defile when it is the fruit of a clean heart. The Bible does not spell out every a man but the things which “come People are not saved or justified by (Continued on page 2) Editorial Outward Appearance Christian Dress Culture Did You Know? 9 Leadership A Word in Season Q & A 3 4 5-9 10-11 12 (Continued from page 1) detail of life, but it does address the principles necessary to glorify God. BIBLE The foundation upon which decisions of dress and conduct are to be made is the holy principles of the Word. While worldly people rationalize Teaches About... and try to justify themselves, the Spirit will lead every honest, seeking individual unerringly. Word of God The God of Heaven dwells in those who are of a “contrite and humble 2 Tim. 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:20-21; Matt. 24:35 spirit” (Isaiah 57:15). The apostle Peter instructs the child of God to be Relationship of Love Matt. 22:37-40; John 14:21-23; 1 John 4:7-11 “clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to Repentance the humble” (1 Peter 5:5). As the heart is humble before God, so the Acts 3:19; Acts 17:30; 2 Cor. 7:10 outward man should reflect that inward humility. “Let it be the hidden New Birth man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a John 3:3-7; 2 Cor. 5:17; Rom. 6:1-4; meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price” (1 Peter Eph. 2:1, 5-6 3:4). Freedom From Sin 1 John 5:18; Matt. 1:21; John 8:11 Holiness is beautiful before the Lord. He is to be worshipped and honored Infilling of the Holy Spirit with a holy, dedicated temple. “What? know ye not that your body is the Acts 19:2; Acts 15:8-9; Acts 1:8 temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye Holiness are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God Luke 1:73-75; Heb. 12:14; 1 Peter 1:15-16; in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's (1 Corinthians 6:19-20). Titus 2:11-12; Rom. 6:22 Kingdom of God —mws Luke 17:20-21; Romans 14:17; John 18:36 The Church Acts 2:47; Eph. 4:4-6; 1 Cor. 12:12-13; Col 1:18 Unity THE GOSPEL TRUTH John 17:20-23; Gal 3:28; Rev. 18:2-4 Ordinances The Gospel Truth periodical is published in the name of the Lord for all people of all lands in the Matt. 28:19-20; Matt. 26:26-30; interest of establishing and encouraging them in the truth of God’s Word. This publication teach- 1 Cor. 11:23-27; John 13:14-17 es and promotes the truths of the Bible that have been established since the time of Christ and Divine Healing the apostles. Luke 4:18; Isaiah 53:4-5; James 5:13-16 The Word of God is the singular, acceptable rule of faith. It teaches salvation and deliverance Sanctity of Marriage from sin through the atonement of Jesus Christ; a subsequent infilling of the Holy Spirit to lead, Matt. 19:5-6; Luke 16:18; Rom. 7:2-3; direct and empower; practical holiness in every area of life; and the unity and oneness of God’s 1 Cor. 7:10-11 people. Acceptable service to God is through a personal relationship of love founded in truth. Outward Appearance Editors: Michael & René Smith 1 Tim. 2:9-10; 1 Cor. 11:14-15; Deut. 22:5 End of Time SUBSCRIPTION 2 Peter 3:7-12; John 5:28-29; 2 Cor. 5:10; Matt 25:31-46 The Gospel Truth is an electronic publication that is published quarterly as the Lord leads. Visit us Pacifism online at www.thegospeltruth.org to subscribe to the email notification list and receive current publications. Feel free to send lists of names and email addresses of others who might be Luke 6:27-29; Luke 18:20 interested in receiving this publication to the editor. Worship John 4:23-24; Eph. 5:19; 2 Cor. 3:17 CONTACT Great Commission Mark 16:15 The Gospel Truth is printed in various countries for local distribution. This and other missionary efforts from this office are supported by free-will offerings in the name of the Church of God. ————————— The Gospel Truth, P.O. Box 2042., Nixa, MO 65714 USA [email protected] 2 Editorial It was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints. —Jude 1:3 The burden for this quarter is on the subject of “Outward Appearance or Christian Dress.” God still has a standard of dress, regardless of many going the way of the world. The margin of difference between God’s people and the world will grow as wickedness increases in these last days. May the Lord help us to contend for the faith that was delivered through the Word of God. I challenge the reader to hold fast to sound doctrine. If there are things you do not understand, be very careful about removing the ancient landmarks which have stood the test of time. The graces of the inner man are of far more importance than the outward appearance. It is a great reproach to see people revel in their modesty while conducting themselves with carnality, pride, and a lack of love. However, the outward appearance is a part of life and the more scripture addresses it. Everything we do should be about our personal relationship with the online Lord. People so often get offended when outward appearance is preached about, especially when Visit us at specifics are mentioned. It is sad when even people that believe in holy living shy away from addressing these issues. It does take wisdom, but there is rarely a “convenient” time. How can people learn of God’s plan if it is not taught? As more people in congregations il ve www.thegospeltruth.org substandard lives, it is increasingly difficult for pastors to teach on these issues. Some things may seem insignificant, and many say it does not matter; but when people begin to let down and allow small compromises, the end result is often spiritual disaster. to subscribe and access I am reminded of the neck-tie issue in the Church of God movement. A split occurred newsletter archives. (1910-1913) where one of the issues was the necktie. Some were unwilling to accept a piece of cloth around the neck that had no utility. Others advocated for its use to “fit in” with society. While a little thing in and of itself, people who accepted the neck-tie began compromising many other issues of truth very quickly. Today there is relatively no practical standard of Biblical modesty amongst them. It is vital for the principle of truth to be considered.