The Ohio Independent Baptist, October 1971

THE VERITY OF CHRISTIAN CHARACTER which require us to distinguish be– tween good and bad, true and false, right and wrong. It is probable that, never before in the history of the Christian Church, has there been such a pressing need for moral, spiritual discernment on the part of God's true people. The age is filled with satanic substitutions for the truth, and imita– tions thereof. The devil's agents and deputies are everywhere, hard at work. His pernicious deceptions surround us on every hand. False prophets and teachers are abroad in great numbers, propagating their evil doctrines so cleverly, and with such compelling in– fluence, that uncountable numbers of the world's people have followed them, believing they are the true Christian leaders of our time. The contemporary theologies being taught today have a plausible sound, but in reality deny the doctrine of Christ, and it has be– come absolutely essential that we "test the spirits whether they are of God" (I John 4: 1). It should be considered mandatory, and therefore peremptory, that we exercise discernment in this modern age. The right kind of knowl– edge, and the ability to discern are vitally necessary to something further and equally important, which Paul sets forth in v. 10. In his opening words to the Philip– pian believers, Paul expresses his gratitude for them, and for their joint– participation with him in the Gospel, and assures them that he consistently remembers them in his prayers, al– ways petitioning God for them with respect to their present and future needs. There is one thing in particular for which Paul prays in behalf of them - and we learn what it is from vs. 9-10. He says, "And this I pray . . ." The connective "And" ( kai) , joins his description of the petition most naturally to what he has said in vs. 3-8 about his praying for the Philippians, his confidence in God, and his feelings for them. Hi s use of the durative present, "I keep praying this", shows how deeply concerned he was for them, and how important he considered this petition to be. He continued to make this particular pe– tition, never considering it to be the useless repeating of a request which need only be made once. He kept right on praying this prayer . What he prayed is recorded in the words that folJow, in vs. 9-10, and these words reveaJ certain basic elements of real Christian character. As A River Channeled Paul kept praying that their love (in the true Christian faith) "might abound yet more and more. . ." The verb "abound" (perisseuei) means: uto be ever and above, to be aug– mented so there is more than full quantity". The sense here is that of a river overflowing its banks - and Paul adds, "yet more and more' '. Our love in the truth and in the faith is to be like a river in flood time, run– ning over its banks, even more and more. It must be directed in two specific channels: the channel of knowledge, and the channel of judg– rnent, (v. 9b) . The knowledge here, THE OHIO INDEPENDENT BAPTIST is a deep, mature knowledge ( epig– nosis) in contrast to a more general knowledge that is much less full and precise (gnosis). It is a knowledge that is correct and ac– curate, which comprehends the great truths of the Scriptures, and grasps the wonder and significance of the divine, eternal verities. Such a knowl– edge is absolutely imperative for the people of God today. Paul uses this word in Ephesians 4: 13, to character– ize the kind of knowledge believers should possess and exercise with rela– tion to the Lord Jesus Christ. It is in– deed beyond debate that in these days when the person and work of the Son of God are under concentrated attack by apostate theologians and church– men - attack that is both vicious and villainous - our knowledge of the Son of God must be mature, precise, correct, and accurate. It is absolutely essential that every true Christian, young and older, be equipped with the right kind of knowledge. Moreover, our overflowing love in the faith is to be directed into the channel of judgment (aistheisei). This word is better rendered "discernment" - for it has to do with one's percep– tion and recognition of this as they really are. It deals with moral discern– ment, the understanding of matters ( 1) They are necessary for our en– dorsement of proper things. "Th<,it ye may approve things that are excellent" - the word "approve" is the key here. It is the present in– finitive dokimadzein, from dokimadzo, a verb which has a twofold meaning. It means "examine, scrutinize, diag– nose, i.e. to examine something, and to make a correct and adequate diag– nosis of what has been examined". Then, it also means "recognize as genuine and worthy, after making the examination and diagnosis". This is what we must do with the many and varied things that confront us in this life, and most particularly in the pre– sent days of our experience in this age. Put them to the test and see whether they are good and proper for us. If they are - then we may en- (Continued on P•se 19) THE CHILDREN'S GOSPEL HOUR, INC. Henry C. Geiger, Executive Director-Livingston, Tenn . 38570 Presenting Jesus Christ to Youth by Radio and TV PRAY FOR THE SALVATION OF BOYS AND GIRLS The Children's Gospel Hour is now on 81 rad io and 43 TV stat ions each wee k Pray that more sf at ions w ill take the program. The youth of America need to hear the Gospel now. Write for further information. OHIOANS TAKE NOTE - Radio: WKTH-FM, Kenton - Saturdays, 2:15 p.m. WCOL-FM, Columbus - Saturdays, 11 :30 a.m. WTTO, Toledo - Saturday, 8 :00 a.m. WRWR-TV, Port Clinton - See listing. OCTOBER, 1971 13