Homeward Bound
Volume 11
All Men
In my meditation this afternoon
following worship service I began a brief study
in the Word of God on the phrases “every man”
and “all men”. I was quite surprised to find
that there are, combined, one hundred twenty
one such appearances in the New Testament
(in the King James Version). Reading each
one, I found an interesting and important
pattern had developed. I will bring forward
here just a few of the passages and explain
what I found.
‘All men’ are not without blame when
they ultimately stand before God in judgment.
Yes, that’s correct . . . all men. God has
provided such a
strong and over-
whelming witness in
the world of Himself,
His Son and His plan
to redeem men from
sin and death that
they all, we all, are
and will be without excuse.
Jesus says, “No man can come to me,
except the Father which hath sent me draw
him: and I will raise him up at the last day. It
is written in the prophets, And they shall be all
taught of God. Every man therefore that hath
heard, and hath learned of the Father, cometh
unto me.” (John 6:44-45) We see here that it
was prophesied that all men would be taught of
God. All will hear what He has said but will all
surrender and accept what He has said? We
know this is simply not the case. Further,
Jesus goes on to say, “And I, if I be lifted up
from the earth, will draw all men unto me.”
(John 12:32) Jesus has promised to draw all
men unto Himself through His selfless act on
the cross at Calvary. We cannot sit and argue
within ourselves about this “all” men
statement. We need to examine the call He has
made into our own heart and soul and decide
what “we” will do with it.
Paul, in writing to Timothy, tells us, “For
this is good and acceptable in the sight of God
Homeward Bound Ministries – Post Office Box 3351 – Milford – Connecticut – 06460 – (203) 882-9661
Number 10
our Saviour; Who will have all men to be
saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the
truth. For there is one God, and one mediator
between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;
Who gave himself a ransom for all.” (I
Timothy 2:3-6) It is God’s desire for all men to
come to a knowledge of salvation and to make
the right choice that will cause them to spend
eternity in Heaven with Him. Paul goes on to
say, “For therefore we both labour and suffer
reproach, because we trust in the living God,
who is the Saviour of all men, specially of
those that believe.” (I Timothy 4:10) Although
He is the Savior of the world, not all will be
saved. That is plainly known. Only those who
believe, which in the Greek indicates an
ongoing and continuing behavior, and endure
to the end will be ultimately saved.
In writing to Titus, Pal said, “For the
grace of God that bringeth salvation hath
appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying
ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live
soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present
world; looking for that blessed hope, and the
glorious appearing of the great God and our
Saviour Jesus Christ.”
(Titus 2:11-13) Who are we
to argue with God? The
Holy Spirit through Paul
tells us that God’s grace
has been made
manifest to all men,
certainly to us, and
it is incumbent
upon us to act on
that offer of grace.
Paul tells us how
we therefore should live our lives while we
await our ultimate redemption from this life on
earth.
The Bible says, “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. For God sent not his
Son into the world to condemn the world; but
that the world through him might be saved.
He that believeth (continued on page two)
 Homeward Bound – Volume 11 – Number 10
All Men (continued)
on him is not condemned: but he that believeth
not is condemned already, because he hath not
believed in the name of the only begotten Son
of God. And this is the condemnation, that
light is come into the world, and men loved
darkness rather than light, because their deeds
were evil. For every one that doeth evil hateth
the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his
deeds should be reproved. But he that doeth
truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be
made manifest, that they are wrought in God.”
(John 3:16-21) What more is there to say? We
are obviously among the “all men” who have
heard His voice and His call. How will we
answer to Him?
Heeding His call and then following
Him in obedience we will serve to prove that
what He has offered to man is indeed real and
genuine and there is a possibility to escaping
the coming wrath of God. We must about our
Father’s business . . . sharing this life-
changing Truth with all who will hear and be
saved. John Payne
WHAT DOES THE BIBLE
SAY ABOUT . . . LYING?
by Betty Miller - Dewey, Arizona
There is a plague that is grieving the heart of
God because it is preventable and can be stopped.
It has spread among all churches and is particularly
rampant in society. Even God’s ministers are not
immune and many of them are infected with it.
What is this evil plague? You may be
surprised as it appears rather harmless at first
glance. It is now so commonplace that people are
deceived into just accepting it as normal, instead of
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recognizing and resisting it. This epidemic is the
practice of lying and dishonesty.
What does the Bible say about lying? A
lying tongue is not only something God hates, it is
also something that is an abomination to Him.
Proverbs 6:16-19 says, "These six things doth the
LORD hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto
him: A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that
shed innocent blood, An heart that deviseth wicked
imaginations, feet that be swift in running to
mischief, A false witness that speaketh lies, and he
that soweth discord among brethren."
EXAMPLES OF DISHONESTY
As the moral climate of our society has been
deteriorating, lying has become a major problem.
The business world is particularly plagued by this
problem - men’s
dishonesty with each other,
meetings "forgotten", company
theft, promises not kept,
contracts broken, etc. Lawyers have increased in
numbers over the last decade, mainly because of
irresponsibility and broken contracts among men
due to lying. A news organization recently did a
survey here in America and asked people several
questions to determine the percentage of people
who lied or were dishonest about things. Some of
the questions were:
Do you cheat on your Income Tax Return?
Do you compliment people when you really don’t
mean it?
Do you tell your spouse to tell callers you are not at
home when you are there?
Do you tell "little white lies" if it will keep you out of
trouble?
Do you tell creditors that "the check is in the mail"
when you have not yet mailed it?
Do you exaggerate in repeating things you have
heard?
The results of this survey determined that
90% of Americans are not truthful under certain
circumstances. (continued on page three)
 Homeward Bound – Volume 11 – Number 10
WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY ABOUT . . .
LYING? (continued)
This is understandable when we look at the
morals of our society but what about Christians?
Have they fallen into the habit of lying also? Also,
what constitutes a lie according to the Bible?
Anything that is not the truth is a lie and God’s
Word the Bible tells us what is truth. The Bible is
the standard or measuring rod we must use in
determining truth. Sadly, Christians are also
succumbing to this epidemic of lying. Lying to each
other has now become so commonplace, Christians
too, have become liars.
THE FATHER OF LIES
Have you been lied to lately? Was it another
Christian that lied to you? A minister perhaps?
Each of us have had our trust in people
undermined, or in some cases even destroyed
because of lies. We would all agree that lying is an
ugly evil. The Bible tells us that lying began with
the devil and that he is the father of lies.
John 8:43-47 says, "Why do ye not
understand my speech? even because ye cannot
hear my word. Ye are of your father the devil, and
the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a
murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the
truth, because there is no truth in him. When he
speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a
liar, and the father of it. And because I tell you the
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truth, ye believe me not. Which of you convinceth
me of sin? And if I say the truth, why do ye not
believe me? He that is of God heareth God's
words: ye therefore hear them not, because ye are
not of God."
The Bible is filled with admonitions against
being dishonest and lying. One of the Ten
Commandments states: “Thou shalt not bear false
witness against thy neighbour.” Exodus 20:16
Before we point our finger at another for
being a liar that we feel God needs to deal with, let
us examine our own lives to see if we are infected
with the same disease. What kind of witness are we
to those around us? Are we deceived and have we
become liars ourselves? Let us first give a
definition as to what a lie is according to Webster’s
dictionary: 1.) To make a statement that one knows
is false, especially with the intent to deceive. 2.) To
give a false impression or action or false statement,
especially with the intent to deceive. 3.)To make a
false statement in order to evade the truth. 4.)The
invention of a false story or excuse in order to
deceive. Perhaps for a Christian, a Biblical
definition of lying could be summed up in this
statement: Any time our word does not agree with
God’s Word.
In Numbers 23:19 the Bible says, "God is
not a man, that he should lie; neither the son of
man, that he should repent: hath he said, and shall
he not do it? or hath he spoken, and shall he not
make it good?" When we do not keep our word we
are guilty of lying. Over the last year I have lost
track of the number of times Christians have failed
to keep their word to me. I am not angry or
resentful or bitter over this, as the Lord has worked
those attitudes out of my life. I have learned to take
every offense to Him in prayer and He then
removes any personal ill I might have and He gives
me a forgiving and gracious attitude toward others.
However, since I
began to notice how
many of God’s people
were not keeping their
word, I received a
prayer burden of
intercession for this
evil to be removed
from God’s people.
I first began
praying about my own life and asked God to expose
any areas where I might be guilty of this sin. I have
tried to obey Romans 12:17-21 which says,
"Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide
things honest in the (continued on page four)
 Homeward Bound – Volume 11 – Number 10
WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY ABOUT . . .
LYING? (continued)
sight of all men. If it be possible, as much as lieth
in you, live peaceably with all men." Most of the
time I would just forgive these lying offences and
would just pray for them and try to "live peaceably
with all men." However, in prayer, the Lord spoke
to my heart that I must go one step further and
"speak the truth in love" to my brothers and sisters
if I truly loved them.
Ephesians 4:15-16 says, "But speaking the
truth in love, may grow up into him in all things,
which is the head, even Christ: From whom the
whole body fitly joined together and compacted by
that which every joint supplieth, according to the
effectual working in the measure of every part,
maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of
itself in love." If we, as the body of Christ, are to
mature and grow up we must conform to the truth
which is Jesus. The devil is behind every lie and as
Christians we are admonished not to lie to one
another. Colossians 3:9-10 says, "Lie not one to
another, seeing
that ye have put off
the old man with
his deeds; And have
put on the new
man, which is
renewed in
knowledge after the
image of him that
created him."
TWO ROOTS OF
DISHONESTY
The two
main reasons we lie
are usually rooted
in either fear or pride. Fear is the first reason. We
are afraid of the consequences if we tell the truth.
Yielding to fear shows a lack of trust in God to take
care of the situation. If we yield to God and do it
His way He will usually give us favor with those
that we fear. The other reason is pride. We are
prideful and concerned about what men will think
of us (desiring man’s approval instead of God’s
approval.)
Jesus always kept His Word. God still keeps
His Word and is faithful to keep every promise He
makes in the Bible. That is why He is reliable and
we can trust Him. We are called to be like Him.
The Bible says that out of a man’s mouth proceeds
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what is in His heart. If we tell lies or fib then it
means that we need a heart cleansing.
Matthew 15:18-20a says, "But those things
which proceed out of the mouth come forth from
the heart; and they defile the man. For out of the
heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries,
fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies:
These are the things which defile a man . . . " We
need to ask God to cleanse our hearts and begin
reading and studying the Bible so that His Word
resides in our hearts. As we keep His Word and
water it with prayer it will produce good fruit in our
lives. Lying is not only speaking an untruth;
another form of lying is not keeping our word to
others. Luke 8:15 says, "But that on the good
ground are they, which in an honest and good
heart, having heard the word, keep it, and bring
forth fruit with patience."
LITTLE "WHITE" LIES
Let us look at some specific ways the devil
gets us to lie. We will expose some of his devices.
These sorts of lies are being practiced by many
Christians. Now remember, we are guilty of lying
when we do not keep our word. Even if these sorts
of lies seem harmless and don't appear to really
hurt anyone else, they are harmful to our own
souls. The more we practice telling untruths of any
kind, the duller our conscience becomes.
"I will call you back tomorrow." (This
excuse is often used with a deliberate intent to
deceive. The person does not call back at the
appointed time and will call back at a much later
date with excuses of why they were unable to call
which usually goes something like: "I just was so
busy, I meant to call , but did not get around to it."
We all have been guilty of this, but we need to
realize when we say we will do (continued on page five)
 Homeward Bound – Volume 11 – Number 10

WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY ABOUT . . . commit. They want more business and more
LYING? (continued) money, even when they must work from a backlog
something we need to keep our word. We do that was promised timely.
understand there are legitimate reasons that make As Christians we need to ask the Lord to
it impossible at times to keep our word. This is not forgive us if we are
the case we are referring to here. It would be better guilty of lying or deceit.
to not make this promise or to say, "I will try to call It is a very serious
you back tomorrow.") matter with God when
"I will be happy to do that for you." we lie. (We can read of
(Whatever promise was made, it was not kept and the incident of Ananias
their word about the matter causes them not to be and Sapphira in Acts
trusted. The Holy Spirit is trying to purge this lack chapter 5 in the Bible.
from His people by stressing that they need to keep They both fell dead
their promises.) when they lied to the
We could list numerous examples but these Holy Spirit.)
two cover a lot of territory; any time we say the The Bible also
words "I will" we need to be responsible to do it. lists this sin of lying as
We all, on occasion, fail to do the things we have one that can lead us to
good intentions of doing or we are hindered in hell along with some
some way and can’t do them. However, if we are other grievous ones.
unable to keep an appointment we should be Revelation 21:7-8 says,
thoughtful enough to call and cancel, or tell of our "He that overcometh
delayed arrival. We are living in an age when there shall inherit all things;
are so many uncaring attitudes expressed. As and I will be his God,
Christians, we can be good witnesses by being and he shall be my son. But the fearful, and
different. unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers,
One of the biggest faults of many Christians, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters,
and our society as well, is that we tend to over- and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which
commit and then we are unable to keep our word. burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the
It is disheartening to see second death."
this shift prevalent in We can be overcomers through the power of
businesses. They the Holy Spirit as we seek to be like Jesus. We not
commit to the jobs, only do not want to lie, but we also want to keep our
then, are not able to word so that people know we are honest and
produce them on time trustworthy. As Christians, we want to represent
and thus the our Father well in this life and be honest and free
standard for from fabrication and fibbing.
business
practices is
shifting to not
expecting them
on time.
Business people
must now factor
in lengthy time delays just to compensate for
people’s lack of business ethics.
People that tend to over-commit sometimes
have a pride problem and are people pleasers. They
want people to like them so they offer to do things
for them, and because they are unable to keep their
promises to all they end up not being able to keep
their word; thus they are dishonest. In business it
is usually greed that tends to cause them to over-

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 Homeward Bound – Volume 11 – Number 10
100 Truths about Jesus
Jesus came to die and destroy Satan's power - Hebrews 2:14
Jesus came to fulfill the Law and the Prophets - Matthew 5:17
Jesus came to give life - John 10:10,28
Jesus came to taste death for everyone - Hebrews 2:9
Jesus came to proclaim freedom for believers - Luke 4:18
Jesus claimed to be God - John 8:24; 8:56-59 (see Exodus
3:14);10:30-33
Jesus created all things - John 1:3; Colossians 1:15-17
Jesus is before all things - Colossians 1:17
Jesus is eternal - John 1:1,14;8:58
Jesus is honored the same as the Father - John 5:23
Jesus is prayed to - Acts 7:54-60
Jesus is worshipped - Matthew 2:2,8,11;14:33;28:9,17; John
9:35-37
Jesus is called God - John 1:1,14;20:28; Colossians 2:9; Titus
2:13
Jesus is omnipresent - Matthew 28:20
Jesus is with us always - Matthew 28:20
Jesus is our only mediator between God and ourselves - I
Timothy 2:5
Jesus is the guarantee of a better covenant - Hebrews
7:22;8:6
Jesus said, "I AM the Bread of Life" - John 6:35,41,48,51
Jesus said, "I AM the Door" - John 10:7,9
Jesus said, "I AM the Good Shepherd" - John 10:11,14
Jesus said, "I AM the Way the Truth and The Life" - John 14:6
Jesus said, "I AM the Light of the world" - John 8:12;9:5;
12:46; Luke 2:32
Jesus said, "I AM the True Vine" - John 15:1;15:5
Jesus said, "I AM the Resurrection and the Life" - John 11:25
Jesus said, "I AM the First and the Last" - Revelation 1:17;
2:8;22:13
Jesus always lives to make intercession for us - Hebrews 7:25
Jesus cleanses from sin - I John 1:9
Jesus discloses Himself to us - John 14:21
Jesus draws all men to Himself - John 12:32
Jesus forgives sins - Luke 5:20;7:48
Jesus gives eternal life - John 10:28;5:40
Jesus gives joy - John 15:11
Jesus gives peace - John 14:27
Jesus has authority - Matthew 28:18; John 5:26-27;17:2;3:35
Jesus judges - John 5:22,27
Jesus knows all men - John 16:30
Jesus opens the mind to understand scripture - Luke 24:45
Jesus received honor and glory from the Father - II Peter 1:17
Jesus resurrects - John 5:39;11:25-26;6:40,44,54
Jesus reveals grace and truth - John 1:17 (see John 6:45)
Jesus reveals the Father - Matthew 11:27; Luke 10:22
Jesus saves forever - Matthew 18:11; John 10:28; Hebrews
7:25
Jesus bears witness of Himself - John 8:18;14:6
Jesus' works bear witness of Himself - John 5:36;10:25
The Father bears witness of Jesus - John 5:37;8:18; I John 5:9
The Holy Spirit bears witness of Jesus - John 15:26
The multitudes bear witness of Jesus - John 12:17
The Prophets bear witness of Jesus - Acts 10:43
The Scriptures bear witness of Jesus - John 5:39
The Father will honor us if we serve Jesus - John 12:26 (see
Colossians 3:24)
The Father wants us to fellowship with Jesus - I Corinthians
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1:9
The Father tells us to listen to Jesus - Luke 9:35; Matthew
17:5
The Father tells us to come to Jesus - John 6:45
The Father draws us to Jesus - John 6:44
Everyone who's heard & learned from the Father comes to
Jesus - John 6:45
The Law leads us to Christ - Galatians 3:24
Jesus is the Rock - I Corinthians 10:4
Jesus is the Savior - John 4:42; 1 John 4:14
Jesus is King - Matthew 2:1-6; Luke 23:3
In Jesus are the treasures of wisdom and knowledge –
Colossians 2:2-3
In Jesus we have been made complete - Colossians 2:10
Jesus indwells us - Colossians 1:27
Jesus sanctifies - Hebrews 2:11
Jesus loves - Ephesians 5:25
We come to Jesus - John 5:40;7:37;6:35,37,45,65
We sin against Jesus - I Corinthians 8:12
We receive Jesus - John 1:12; Colossians 2:6
Jesus makes many righteous - Romans 5:19
Jesus is the image of the invisible God - Hebrews 1:3
Jesus sends the Holy Spirit - John 15:26
Jesus abides forever - Hebrews 7:24
Jesus offered up Himself - Hebrews 7:27;9:14
Jesus offered one sacrifice for sins for all time - Hebrews
10:12
The Son of God has given us understanding - I John 5:20
Jesus is the author and perfecter of our faith - Hebrews 12:2
Jesus is the Apostle and High Priest of our confession –
Hebrews 1:3
The Son of God has given us understanding - I John 5:20
Jesus cleanses us from our sins by His blood - Revelation 1:5;
Romans 5:9
Jesus is the Light of the world - John 9:5
Jesus has explained the Father - John 1:18
Jesus was crucified because of weakness - II Corinthians 13:4
Jesus has overcome the world - John 16:33
Truth is in Jesus - Ephesians 4:21
The fruit of righteousness comes through Jesus Christ –
Philippians 1:11
Jesus delivers us from the wrath to come - I Thessalonians
1:10
Disciples bear witness of Jesus Christ - John 15:27
Jesus died and rose again - I Thessalonians 4:14
The Christian dead have fallen asleep in Jesus –
I Thessalonians 4:15
Jesus died for us - I Thessalonians 5:10
Jesus tasted death for everyone - Hebrews 2:9
Jesus rendered the devil powerless - Hebrews 2:14
Jesus is able to save completely - Hebrews 7:25
Jesus was a ransom for many and to serve - Matthew 20:28
Jesus came to be a high priest - Hebrews 2:17
Jesus came to save - John 3:17; Luke 19:10
Jesus came to preach the kingdom of God - Luke 4:43
Jesus came to bring division - Luke 12:51
Jesus came to do the will of the Father - John 6:38
Jesus came to give the Father's words - John 17:8
Jesus came to testify to the truth - John 18:37
 Homeward Bound – Volume 11 – Number 10
Stand Where The Fire Has Been
By Ian Paisley
It had been a dry, sunny day with a gentle
breeze, and everything was going on smoothly in
the log hut. The small patch of corn in front had
just been gathered.
As the owners of the land gazed
contentedly over the long, waving prairie grass for
some miles, they looked upon their lot in life with
undisguised satisfaction. After an unusually hot
day, the breeze had freshened.
Suddenly a long, dark cloud was seen upon
the horizon, followed almost immediately by a
lurid glare. Although it was miles and miles away
from the little settlement, it was none the less
horrifying to the inhabitants, who, even if they
had never seen it before, could not mistake the
awful sight. With anxious looks the word went
around, "The prairie's on fire!" Yes, there it was,
bearing down upon them, coming right in their
direction.
All soon saw that with such a wind-which
had now increased to almost a gale-and with grass
and prairie shrubs very dry by the day's hot sun,
their narrow fire break was simply useless before
such a furious and galloping fire-little short of a
roaring furnace coming along at ten to fifteen
miles an hour. What could stem it? Nothing-simply
nothing. Oh, that you could just be within half a
mile of it, and see the roaring blaze sweeping
along, and get a view of the flying multitude going
before it-a run for life, indeed.
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You would never forget the scene. Buffalo,
antelope, and every four-footed animal-a mixed
mob-a terror-stricken crowd, all realizing the
value of life in the face of certain death. To prey
upon each other never entered their heads in the
face of such a mighty foe. No time to think; hardly
time to breathe.
Those who live in the regions of the wild
prairies know well that there is only one way, only
one means of escape from the face of the awful
foe we have just been describing. Is it so? Can a
man be delivered from those awful
prairie fires?
Yes, in this way. A man simply takes
a match and lights the long, dry
grass at his feet. Swiftly, this new
fire flies ahead, consuming all before
it. Before the great fire comes up,
he just walks on to the blackened
ground, where all has already been
consumed. He is safe, quite safe.
When the fire comes up to this spot,
it finds nothing left to consume, and
so it cannot come near him, it
cannot touch him. With him, perhaps
thousands of poor, breathless
animals rush to the spot and stand
safe; for the fire having gone over
that place once, cannot do so again.
So now you understand the phrase,
"Stand where the fire has been."
This is but a poor picture of the Great Day
when the terrible fire of God's wrath comes. Yes,
and it is soon coming along. You may well pity the
one who is not then "standing where the fire has
been."
It is simple for a man to take a match and
light the grass ahead of (continued on page eight)
 Homeward Bound – Volume 11 – Number 10
Stand Where The Fire Has Been (continued)
him, and then stand where the fire has been.
Similarly, it is simple to shelter under the death of
Jesus Christ. God spent the fire of his judgment on
His beloved Son as He hung on Calvary's cross. He
has pledged a present and eternal security to any
who will take their place in Him, take refuge in
the One who bore on the Cross the wrath of God
for sinners.
"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).
I said it
is "simple"
to trust
Christ and
shelter
beneath
His
precious
blood. But
only by the
Holy Spirit
can we
appropriate
this work of Christ on our behalf. Yet the
responsibility is yours if you now neglect this
salvation, for there remains but one alternative
for you, and that is to take your place in the
condemned crowd who will be left to endure the
wrath of God for all eternity in the lake of fire.
Think! If God's wrath has fallen upon
Christ, it can never again fall upon those who
come to Christ for pardon. Friend, do "stand
where the fire has been," and then all you have to
do is to praise God for having permitted His fiery
judgment to pass over and consume Another . . .
to love Him . . . to live for Him . . . who thus took
your place and died in your stead.
On Taking Too Much
for Granted
By A. W. Tozer
Once Mary and Joseph, with a number of
friends and relatives, were traveling back home
from Jerusalem and, supposing the young Jesus to
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Homeward Bound Ministries – Post Office Box 3351 – Milford – Connecticut – 06460 – (203) 882-9661
be in the company, went a whole day's journey
before discovering that He had been left behind.
Their fault was that they assumed that what
they wanted to believe was so in fact. They took too
much for granted. A simple check at the start of the
journey would have saved them a harrowing
experience of fear and uncertainty and two days'
unnecessary travel.
Theirs was a pardonable fault and one that
we ourselves are in great danger of committing. The
whole company of evangelicals is traveling home
supposing things, some of which may not be true.
We had better check before we go any further. Our
failure to do so could have more serious
consequences than those suffered by Mary and
Joseph. It could lead straight to tragedy.
There is danger that we take Christ for
granted. We "suppose" that because we hold New
Testament beliefs we are therefore New Testament
Christians; but it does not follow. The devil is a
better theologian than any of us and is a devil still.
We may, for instance, assume that salvation is
possible without repentance. Pardon without
penitence is a delusion which simple honesty
requires that we expose for what it is. To be
forgiven, a sin must be forsaken. This accords with
the Scriptures, with common logic and with the
experience of the saints of all ages.
We are also in danger of assuming the value
of religion without righteousness. Through the
various media of public communication we are
being pressured into believing that religion 'is little
more than a beautiful thing capable of bringing
courage and peace of mind to a troubled world. Let
us resist this effort at brainwashing. The purpose of
Christ's redeeming work was to make it possible for
bad men to become good . . . deeply, radically
and finally. God translates men out of the kingdom
of darkness into the kingdom of the Son of His love.
To believe that such translated men must still dwell
in darkness is a reflection on the blood of Christ and
the wisdom of God.
In spite of all that James said to the contrary,
we are still likely to take for granted that faith
without works does somehow have a mystic value
after all. But "faith worketh by love," said Paul, and
where the works of love are absent we can only
(continued on page nine)
 Homeward Bound – Volume 11 – Number 10

more: Millions take for granted that it is possible to

On Taking Too Much for Granted (continued) live for Christ without first having died with Christ.
This is a serious error and we dare not leave it
conclude that faith is absent also. Faith in faith has unchallenged.
displaced faith in God in too many places. The victorious Christian has known two
A whole new generation of Christians has lives. The first was his life in Adam which was
come up believing that it is possible to "accept" motivated by the carnal mind and can never please
Christ without forsaking the world. But what saith God in any way. It can never be converted; it can
the Holy Ghost? "Ye adulterers and adulteresses, only die (Rom. 8:5-8).
know ye not that the friendship of the world is The second life of the Christian is his new
enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a life in Christ (Rom. 6:114). To live a Christian life
friend of the world is the enemy of God" (James with the life of Adam is wholly impossible. Yet
4:4), and "If any man love the world, the love of the multitudes take for granted that it can be done and
Father is not in him" (I John 2:15) . This requires no go on year after year in defeat. And worst of all they
comment, only obedience. accept this half-dead condition as normal.
We may also erroneously assume that we For our own soul's sake, let's not take too
can experience justification without transformation. much for granted.
Justification and regeneration are not the same; they
may be thought apart in theology but they can never
be experienced apart in fact. When God declares a
man righteous He instantly sets about to make him
righteous. Our error today is that we do not expect a
converted man to be a transformed man, and as a
result of this error our churches are full of
substandard Christians. A revival is among other
things a return to the belief that real faith invariably
produces holiness of heart and righteousness of life.
Again, we may go astray by assuming that
we can do spiritual work without spiritual power. I
have heard the notion seriously advanced that
whereas once to win men to Christ it was necessary
to have a gift from the Holy Spirit, now religious
movies make it possible for anyone to win souls,
without such spiritual anointing! "Whom the gods
would destroy they first make mad." Surely such a
notion is madness, but until now I have not heard it
challenged among the evangelicals.
David Brainerd once compared a man
without the power of the Spirit trying to do spiritual
work to a workman without fingers attempting to do
manual labor. The figure is striking but it does not Thank you for taking the time to read this issue of
overstate the facts. The Holy Spirit is not a luxury Homeward Bound! As usual, your questions and
meant to make deluxe Christians, as an illuminated comments are most welcome. Do you write? Do
frontispiece and a leather binding make a deluxe you have something you’d like to share with the
book. The Spirit is an imperative necessity. Only readers of Homeward Bound? Please consider
the Eternal Spirit can do eternal deeds. sending it in for review. Until next time . . . may
Without exhausting the list of things God bless you and use you in the Harvest of souls!
wrongly taken for granted I would mention one

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Homeward Bound Ministries – Post Office Box 3351 – Milford – Connecticut – 06460 – (203) 882-9661