WHO CAN YOU TRUST?
By Steve Van Nattan

This should be a short study on the factor of trust in our lives.  I don't know that I have seen much on the subject, so it seems like a good exercise, if that is, we stay in the King James Bible in our conclusions. I am very interested that my Jehovah's Witness readers consider the following thoughts:

INTRODUCTION:

The Bible says much about trust.  Usually, we stay with the safe side of trust, and we encourage one another to trust the Lord.

Proverbs 3:5 Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.
6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

It is clearly safer to trust in the Lord:

Psalm 118:8 It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man.
9 It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in princes.

So, we see that we can be alone and in the majority-- We can stand with our God, and He will care for us.  God will give us confidence in His power to savfe us now and ultimately in eternity. 

But there is another side to the Christian life, and the life in the former dispensation of Law.  We see that God commands us to depend on one another and to trust one another.  How can we do this in the end of the Church age with its decaying Christendom?  Who can we Trust?

THE WORLD

The world is clearly the most unreliable source in matters of life and faith.

First, notice that the world, fallen as it is, has a memory of God:

Psalm 22:27 All the ends of the world shall remember and turn unto the LORD: and all the kindreds of the nations shall worship before thee.

Conscience bearing...

Second, you just cannot trust the world:

This is first because they measure all things in terms of wealth and prosperity:

Psalm 73:12 Behold, these are the ungodly, who prosper in the world; they increase in riches.

This is why Bill Clinton is so highly loved in spite of his filthy life.  He has brought the world prosperity, and he seems to be moving forward with many programs to make the world more comfortable.

Third, Satan is the source of the worldly man's wisdom:

The "heathen" don't even know God and need to be introduced to Him.

Psalm 96:10 Say among the heathen that the LORD reigneth: the world also shall be established that it shall not be moved: he shall judge the people righteously.

Fourth, the world, the people who reject God, are damned to hell:

Isaiah 13:11 And I will punish the world for their evil, and the wicked for their iniquity; and I will cause the arrogancy of the proud to cease, and will lay low the haughtiness of the terrible.

So, we see how perilous it is to take the opinion of the world and trust the heathen.  They will give the wrong answer every time.  The only area in which the world can be trusted is in those subjects which are ruled by natural and finite law.  For example, mathematics is pretty safe.  This area of wisdom is ruled by fixed laws, and it is not usually tinkered with by lawless men.  This is because a neo-mathematical discipline yields chaos.

Some examples of the world and trust: 

Even "New Math," which Biola College told me would rule my life as I labored over it in the 1960s, has turned out to be a total loss.  The only place where "New Math' is used is in Binary Math in computers, and it is virtually unknown to the average programer today who uses compilers.  Outside this area of life, "New Math" is as confusing today as it was 30 years ago.

The world cannot be trusted to give History correctly.  This is because the world will favor the Libertarian and the Atheist every time over the Bible believer.  There is not ONE history book published in the secular world today that tells of Thomas Jefferson's visit to the Baptists in New England to assure them that their concern over freedom of choice in religion would be guarded.  Nor do the world's bigots tell that it was Baptists who waged war on the Federalists to make sure they did not declare three state religions.  And, these Baptists were offered to be one of the state religions.  To tell this story would undermine the present day bigoted hate attacks on Fundamentalists.

Did you ever read in a secular history book about the Pennsylvania Brigade of George Washington?  Of course not.  They were all over 6 feet tall, and they could shoot a Kentucky long rifle from the shoulder without the customary prop, AND they could hit a 6 inch target at 300 yards, AND they were all Baptists.  If it were not for that Baptist part, the history books would brag on them.  Instead, they are gone.  

So, if you want to trust these God haters who would just as soon wipe all memory of YOU off the face of the earth, help yourself.  I don't trust them.

Do I call the Ford dealer when I cannot figure out how to fix my old Lincoln?  Of course, but I assume his answer will be tainted by his greed.  I try to find a worldling who has no chance to get cash off of me.  He might tell the truth.

What about the news we get?  Much of it is digested and passed on by heathen.  Can we trust that news?  Answer:  NO!  So, we gather here a little, and there a little, and we weigh and compare until we hope to sift out the human wisdom factor and arrive at something close to the truth.  This process is biblical:

1Thessalonians 5:21 Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.

Romans 12:2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

I am in the world, but I must not allow the world to call me to their "fellowship".  

1Corinthians 3:19 For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, He taketh the wise in their own craftiness.

The world is ALWAYS suspect to me.  I EXPECT them to give me bad information.  I EXPECT them to cut me off in traffic.  This way, I am prepared better to cope with what they do.  To trust the world in the most mundane affairs of life is to invite tragedy.

The destiny of the rebellious world is certain:

Revelation 3:10 Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth.

Why would a Bible believer, one who wants to be in fellowship with Christ every waking hour, trust the world and those who CHOOSE to walk disorderly and AWAY from God?  But, you know something friend--  Many saints do just that.  They think their unsaved neighbors know what is true and what is false.  They don't weigh one worldling against another.  For this these silly saints pay dearly from time to time.

More examples:

When I was growing up in Africa, in Tanganyika as it was called then, Dad used to go to town about once a quarter to buy supplies.  Town was 60 miles one way, or occasionally 300 miles the other.  Well, in Nansio on Ukerewe Island, there were several shops owned by Indians from India.  The three merchants we traded with were all Hindu.  This meant that they had NO ethic in life at all.  They would do anything they wanted to do, and that included cheat every customer if they could.  

One merchant named Walji was particularly crooked.  One day we went to town, and Dad had put a 55 Gallon drum in the pick up truck to buy gasoline.  When we got to town, we found that the only merchant in town with gasoline was Walji.  He had nearly doubled the price.  My Dad asked him why he would treat an old and favored customer like this.  Walji would not even consider lowering the price, but maintained his extortionist demand.  My Dad turned to walk away, and Walji said, "Mr. Van Nattan, we must not allow business to interfere with our friendship."  

Dad went up the street to Mr. Patel who found some gasoline somewhere, and the price was much lower.  We continued to buy from Patel from then on.  Was Mr. Patel less "heathen" than Walji?  I doubt it.  Mr. Patel had simply learned the value to honesty as a business and profit earning principle.

One step further.  In Mwanza, the other shopping center, we bought on account from Mr. Nurmohammed.  This man was from India, but he was Muslim.  We could see a distinct difference in his ethics.  Was he born again?  Of course not.  But, those of you who know the history of Mohammed will recall that Mohammed was heavily influenced by the Jews of Medina, by Wereqa the professing Christian uncle of Mohammed, and by Christians in Arabia whom he met in his trading days.  This salt has never been lost in Islam.  There is not saving Gospel in Islam-- Please don't mis-read what I am saying.  But, Islam IS salted by the Word of God in a way that even the Roman Catholic Church lacks.  

So, Mr. Nurmohammed was the product of a salted system of ethics.

When my wife and I were missionaries many years later in Eldoret, Kenya, we made ALL our purchases at the store of Aziz and Akbar for groceries, and at a Muslim butcher for meat.  The Muslim butcher would make sure the animal was alive and reasonably healthy before buying and killing it.  The other butchers in town bought cattle to sell which had died of disease.  Aziz and Akbar were absolutely honest in dealing with us, and they would give more than we paid for many times.  Again, the salt of God's law was in their hearts, though they were not born again by faith in Jesus Christ.

Did we trust certain of these unsaved people?  Yes.  But, we kept an eye on them of course.  They were NOT our "brothers" as the ecumenical gang would have us believe.  The Pope is calling all manner of heathen his "brothers."  Billy Graham claims that Buddhists will be received by God.  We do NOT follow these apostate leaders in their soft headed trust in the world.

There is a key text here:

1Corinthians 14:10 There are, it may be, so many kinds of voices in the world, and none of them is without signification.

1Corinthians 5:9 I wrote unto you in an epistle not to company with fornicators:
10 Yet not altogether with the fornicators of this world, or with the covetous, or extortioners, or with idolaters; for then must ye needs go out of the world.

In the world, but not OF the world--  This applies in ALL things.  The day you find an area where the worldly mind can be trusted, that is the day you are backsliding.  Lot thought he could live in Sodom and prevail for the Lord.  He did, and he did not become completely brainwashed by the world there.  But, his wife did.  She could not bear to leave Sodom and not look back.  You WILL pay the price when you start trusting the world.

THE FALLEN CHURCH

The real rub is not the world when it lets you down.  The real kick in the stomach is when the alleged saints let you down.

To live above with those we love;
Oh that will be glory!
To live below with those we know;
Well, that's another story.

Paul knew that some of the saints he wrote to in his day needed to be tested or proven:

2Corinthians 8:8 I speak not by commandment, but by occasion of the forwardness of others, and to prove the sincerity of your love.

Paul knew what it felt like to trust saints and then have them let him down:

Just read these three verses, and you will realize something went very wrong in the area of trust.

Colossians 4:14 Luke, the beloved physician, and Demas, greet you.

Philemon 1:24 Marcus, Aristarchus, Demas, Lucas, my fellowlabourers.

2 Timothy 4:10 For Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world, and is departed unto Thessalonica; Crescens to Galatia, Titus unto Dalmatia.

Also, we are warned that there are men in the Lord's Church who will twist and pervert the Word of God.  They cannot be trusted:

1 John 4:1 Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.

The peril of false prophets was a great burden and motivation in Paul's teaching:

Acts 20:29 For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock.
30 Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them.
31 Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears.

It is the Last Time:

I find it amazing to meet so many pastors and teachers today who will not warn the saints about false prophets.  About the only group that still is identified as heretic today is the Jehovah's Witnesses.  Nearly every other group receives the imprimatur of the average pastor.  Even the Mormons are now enjoying the approval of the likes of Promise Keepers.  We noted above that Billy Graham is now giving approval to Buddhism.  Jack Van Impe, a very sound teacher from the past, is now exalting the Pope with ZEAL!  Warning the saints who NOT to trust is almost gone from the pulpits of Christendom.

Of course, Balaam's Ass Speaks, the Journal you are now reading is a place of many warnings.  But, rest assured, we get trashed by the vast majority of Fundamentalists for this policy.  There is little or no monetary profit in the warning business friends.  We have friends, but they are scarce.  Try sending out a resume with such warnings in it, and you will NOT be called to pastor anyone's church anywhere.  Yet, just 100 years ago, a young minister could not expect to be called to pastor a church if he did not kick the Pope regularly.  Satan was the enemy in middle America of 1870.  Today, I believe that Satan could submit his resume to 95% of the churches in the USA, the UK, and Europe, and he would be received with joy.

1 John 2:18 Little children, it is the last time: and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time.

The day of Christ's return for His Church is near.  We cannot trust many of those who call themselves saints.  We dare not compromise in this age and let down the standard in order to find friends.  But, I can tell you from experience, it can get a bit lonely my friend.  I think there is this test which is stronger that persecution and the Inquisition.  It is the test of being alone and being the fool of the alleged Church of Laodicea.  

The slam has been heard by many a Bible believer. "You must not have many friends.  Are you sure you need to be so much alone?"  Whew!  Try to answer that one in an upbeat manner.  Perhaps this is why we are so ornery and blunt.  Why should we show any grace with such attacks?  It is far easier to take this off of a pure heathen and Atheist.  But, when fallen saints accuse us of making our own loneliness, that is hard.  Send me E-Mail and tell me that, and you will see how hard I hit back :-)

Is it evil to blast back at Bible mutilators?  I know a Bible teacher who, long ago, did so when the fallen "men of God" attacked him:

Matthew 3:7 But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees come to his baptism, he said unto them, O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come?

How un-brotherly.

Matthew 12:14 Then the Pharisees went out, and held a council against him, how they might destroy him.

Matthew 15:12 Then came his disciples, and said unto him, Knowest thou that the Pharisees were offended, after they heard this saying?
13 But he answered and said, Every plant, which my heavenly Father hath not planted, shall be rooted up.

Praise God, I Like that answer--  Root up these false prophets who exalt the Pope.  Root up Tim LaHaye who flirts with Mr. Sung Myung Moon, as does Jerry Falwell.  But, note please-- They will conspire to destroy you.

So, don't let these fallen saints do a number on your mind.  Pound them mercilessly, and teach your children to do the same.  NEVER TRUST A WANDERING SAINT!  You will get better sense from a raunchy drunk at the corner bar than from a wandering star like Billy Graham or Jack Hyles.  I used to visit a certain cafe where we once lived.  Most of those at the round table in that cafe were unsaved and of the world.  But, if I had to chose between those men and Jack Van Impe or Billy Graham, I would rather be in that cafe any time.  

In fact, I miss those sinners sometimes.  I believe I did have some fruit unto Christ in that cafe.  But, I have NEVER had any fruit rebuking Billy Graham and Jack Van Impe.  In fact, Billy Graham's attorney threatened to sue me.  I never had a sinner down at the cafe threaten me with anything.  Don't you see why Jesus hit the hypocrites so hard?  It is a waste of time to give them anything but rebuke.  And, that rebuke warns the faithful to stay clear of the fallen saints.

THE NARROW WAY CHURCH

It sure would be a sorry world without this third group.  God DOES have His people on the narrow way, and we must get to know and trust them.

I want you to see the very great affection the Apostle Paul had for some of the saints.  This text is most of Chapter 16 of Romans.  Please note how Paul warns these saints of false prophets and evil men.  This balance is essential for a complete ministry.  But read thoughtfully the tender and loving verses that precede the warning.  Ask yourself this question:  Do I love anyone enough to warn them?

Romans 16:1 I commend unto you Phebe our sister, which is a servant of the church which is at Cenchrea:
2 That ye receive her in the Lord, as becometh saints, and that ye assist her in whatsoever business she hath need of you: for she hath been a succourer of many, and of myself also.
3 Greet Priscilla and Aquila my helpers in Christ Jesus:
4 Who have for my life laid down their own necks: unto whom not only I give thanks, but also all the churches of the Gentiles.
5 Likewise greet the church that is in their house. Salute my wellbeloved Epaenetus, who is the firstfruits of Achaia unto Christ.
6 Greet Mary, who bestowed much labour on us.
7 Salute Andronicus and Junia, my kinsmen, and my fellowprisoners, who are of note among the apostles, who also were in Christ before me.
8 Greet Amplias my beloved in the Lord.
9 Salute Urbane, our helper in Christ, and Stachys my beloved.
10 Salute Apelles approved in Christ. Salute them which are of Aristobulus' household.
11 Salute Herodion my kinsman. Greet them that be of the household of Narcissus, which are in the Lord.
12 Salute Tryphena and Tryphosa, who labour in the Lord. Salute the beloved Persis, which laboured much in the Lord.
13 Salute Rufus chosen in the Lord, and his mother and mine.
14 Salute Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermas, Patrobas, Hermes, and the brethren which are with them.
15 Salute Philologus, and Julia, Nereus, and his sister, and Olympas, and all the saints which are with them.
16 Salute one another with an holy kiss. The churches of Christ salute you.
Here is the unavoidable warning:
17 Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them.
18 For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple.
Now, Paul returns to his precious friends and memories:
19 For your obedience is come abroad unto all men. I am glad therefore on your behalf: but yet I would have you wise unto that which is good, and simple concerning evil.
20 And the God of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen.
21 Timotheus my workfellow, and Lucius, and Jason, and Sosipater, my kinsmen, salute you.
22 I Tertius, who wrote this epistle, salute you in the Lord.
23 Gaius mine host, and of the whole church, saluteth you. Erastus the chamberlain of the city saluteth you, and Quartus a brother.
24 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.

This is the kind of people Paul trusted.  Do you trust only this kind of people?  Do you make these qualities the standard of fellowship.  Stop trying to "save it"-- That is, stop this hanging around a bunch of shady doubters and Bible mutilators, thinking you can somehow rescue them from their backslidden state.  It will not happen.   You just cannot trust them with your life, your zeal, and your family.

Can we really trust the saints on the narrow way?  Well, it sure is a better opportunity to trust:

1 Corinthians 1:10 Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.

Any time the saints are obeying the commands of the Lord in the Apostolic church teaching, that is a time you can trust the saints.  Why?  Answer:  They have the mind of Christ.  Now, I don't mean some great scholar or famous teacher etc.  I mean the most ordinary saint is trustworthy.  In fact, these glory boys are NOT often trustworthy.  They are most often in a love affair with their own oozing brain, and you dare not trust them.  But, look for saints who seem to agree a lot on the important and the unimportant things.  This agreement must be salted all the way through with the Word of God.  If this is the case, chances are, they are trustworthy.

What is the tradition of the trustworthy saints?  Answer:  The Apostle's Doctrine:

2 Thessalonians 3:6 Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye withdraw yourselves from every brother that walketh disorderly, and not after the tradition which he received of us.

Any preacher or church family which has traditions NOT found in the Word of God is highly suspect.  This is especially true of Fundamental Baptists and Bible Church people.  Many of these people are now adding traditions to Christian fellowship which are NOT found in the Word of God.  AND, they KNOW it.  They don't care.  They press forward with their hybrid mixed message.  

Of course, the vast majority of Pentecostals and Charismatics are loaded with novel traditions.  The most wicked is that tongues are proof of your salvation.  This is 100% heretical and cannot be sustained by the Word of God.  Nor can holy laughter, divine healing by special healers, big show meetings, and many more feely feely traditions.  

Please flee from these people.  You cannot trust them.

CONCLUSION:

One last thought to you who love to be trusted, but you refuse to stand for anything unless it benefits YOU:

Job 42:7 And it was so, that after the LORD had spoken these words unto Job, the LORD said to Eliphaz the Temanite, My wrath is kindled against thee, and against thy two friends: for ye have not spoken of me the thing that is right, as my servant Job hath.

To you who are fallen and backslidden, you should repent to your Bible believing friend.  You have been attacking them and warning them to be more loving, right?  I tell you now that YOU are the one who is wicked.  Job's friends all thought they were very holy, wise, and profound.  They warned Job about all his rebellious attitudes.  But, God in the end attacked Job's friends and threatened to punish them if they did not get right and repent TO JOB.  Humble yourself and go repent to God and your narrow friend whom you have been judging and schmoozing.  If you won't repent, it is a sure sign that you were never truly born again in the first place.  Go on to hell where you belong, but could you please go quietly?

To you who love the Narrow Way because you found Jesus there:

John 15:14 Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you.

Jesus is your friend--  Don't ever stop trusting Him.  AND, don't trust anyone who distracts you from His commands.

And, I hope I am a good friend.  Should we ask ourselves, from time to time, "Am I a good friend to someone?  Can anyone trust me?  Does anyone trust me today?"

Steve Van Nattan

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