Is it "Just Advice"?

(Please read 1 Samuel 25: 32-35)

Is it "Just Advice"?

Proverbs 15:22, "Without counsel purposes are disappointed: but in the multitude of counsellors they are established."

 

Psalms 73:24, "Thou shalt guide me with thy counsel, and afterward receive me to glory." 

Most of us reading this purpose to make it to heaven.  We purpose to shine as a light for the lost and make an eternal difference in the lives of many.  These purposes will be established as we walk in Godly counsel, but will be eternally disappointed if we walk in our own ways.  I am thankful to God for the "Advice to Members" and can gladly state that I will never be disappointed following it.  I believe that you will be blessed as you read the following words from our beloved former General Overseer, M.A. Tomlinson, in his book Let The Church Counsel Together.     

 

Is the "Advice to Members" mandatory? 

The above question is not often asked out rightly, but individuals may have answered it unadvisedly.  Some may have held that it is mandatory (authoritatively commanded or required, as an obligation); others may have held that its observance is not required since the word "advice" does not carry the weight of a "requirement." 

Here is an instance where "good understanding" would give "favor."  Actually, the answer lies between the two extremes.

First, the Assembly does not legislate, or make laws.  It is recorded in the Minutes of the First Assembly in 1906:  "We do not consider ourselves a legislative or executive body, but judicial only."  This means that we search out the will of God as he has given it to us in the Bible.  "Judicial" means law-interpreting, or law-explaining.  It is the responsibility of the General Assembly to interpret, or explain, those doctrines and life-practices which are not generally understood.  Again, "Good understanding giveth favor...."

Since the scriptures are of no private interpretation (2 Peter 1:20), it becomes the duty of the Assembly, a "multitude of counselors" (Proverbs 11:14; 15:22; 24:6), to search out the meanings and make them available to the total membership through the Minutes.  This agrees with the New Testament procedure recorded in Acts, chapters 15 and 16.  The Assembly's decisions were referred to as "decrees for to keep" (Acts 16:4).

Acts 15:28, "For it seemed good to the Holy Ghost, and to us, to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things.”

Secondly, pertaining to our obligation to observe our "Advice to Members," the Church does not use force.  It operates by grace, faith, and love.  It stands for the whole Bible, rightly divided, and every member knows this when he takes the Church covenant.  In the early Church, the term "decrees for to keep" indicated that the decrees of the Assembly were to be kept, or obeyed.  The reason for this was that those decrees were the findings of the Church in its search of the scriptures.

Is it "mandatory" that we obey the scriptures?  If so, in the same sense it is mandatory that we obey the decrees of the Assembly.  However, just as no one is forced to serve God, or to obey His commandments, neither is anyone forced to observe the Assembly's decrees.  But there will come a time when those who do not obey them will lose their victory, and will manifest a spirit and attitude that will make it necessary to exclude them from the body.

The whole matter of being a Christian, and of being a member of The Church of God, lies in the choice in the choice made by each individual.  He may either choose to respect and obey the Word of God and be in, or he may choose to do as he pleases and be out.  We know of no choices, in the world or in the Church, which do not have their conditions and the resulting consequences.

What is "Advice"?          

"Advice" is counsel.  To "advise" implies the offering of recommendations as to a course of action.  To "counsel"  implies the giving of advice after careful deliberation and suggests that weighty matters are involved (Webster).

Advice may be offered as guidance, as admonition, as caution, or as warning.  If the advice is based only on personal opinion, it may or may not be trustworthy.  But advice based on the Word of God should not be taken lightly.  Proverbs 12:15 says, "The way of a fool is right in his own eyes:  but he that hearkeneth unto counsel is wise."

To show the consequences of rejecting wise counsel, Proverbs 1:30 and 31 warns:

"They would none of my counsel: they despised all my reproof. Therefore shall they eat of the fruit of their own way, and be filled with their own devices."     

The Last "Advice" First 

The last paragraph of the "Advice to Members" as given in the Assembly Minutes expresses the kindly spirit and the hope in which it was originally offered, and in which it is still intended.  It reads:  "These kindly instructions and advices are given by those who are watching for your soul as they that must give account (Hebrews 13:17), and it is hoped they will be received with the same meek, gentle spirit in which they are given."

Some additional scriptures to pray and study over:

Exodus 18:19  Hearken now unto my voice, I will give thee counsel, and God shall be with thee: Be thou for the people to God-ward, that thou mayest bring the causes unto God:

Numbers 31:16  Behold, these caused the children of Israel, through the counsel of Balaam, to commit trespass against the LORD in the matter of Peor, and there was a plague among the congregation of the LORD.

Proverbs 11:14  Where no counsel is, the people fall: but in the multitude of counsellors there is safety. (The General Assembly, at the least.)

Proverbs 24:6  For by wise counsel thou shalt make thy war: and in multitude of counsellors there is safety.

Proverbs 12:15  The way of a fool is right in his own eyes: but he that hearkeneth unto counsel is wise.

Proverbs 20:18  Every purpose is established by counsel: and with good advice make war.

Psalms 16:7  I will bless the LORD, who hath given me counsel…

Isaiah 28:29  This also cometh forth from the LORD of hosts, which is wonderful in counsel, and excellent in working.

Psalms 33:11  The counsel of the LORD standeth for ever, the thoughts of his heart to all generations.

Proverbs 19:21  There are many devices in a man's heart; nevertheless the counsel of the LORD, that shall stand.

Isaiah 25:1  O LORD, thou art my God; I will exalt thee, I will praise thy name; for thou hast done wonderful things; thy counsels of old are faithfulness and truth.