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 I
hate to admit this, but a man once told me he did not like my
sermons, and wanted me to change the subject and content of my
preaching. I ask him to identify my errors, and he said I was
preaching the truth but he was afraid of “what it might lead
to.” (I was preaching on the work of the church, and
congregational independence. ) I replied that I realized one
might make a “hobby” of truth and “beat to death” a
subject (he did not accuse me of this) but that I could not see
how TRUTH, properly balanced, could lead to anything but that
for which it was given, viz., to make men free from error and
sin. (Jn. 8:31-32)
On
the other side of the coin, we frequently find timid souls who
hibernate in inactivity, and equate doing nothing with soundness
in the faith. They may acknowledge that the work proposed is in
keeping with the scriptures, but if it calls for some
unaccustomed activity — a change from status quo — they fear
“what it might lead to.”
Life
itself is a movement — we exist in a state of flux — and
direction is influenced by every facet of life. Change (even in
that which is good) will affect attitudes and viewpoints, and
could involve new temptations. BUT REMAINING AT REST ALSO
AFFECTS ATTITUDES AND VIEWPOINTS, AND COULD INVOLVE NEW TEMPTATIONS.
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The monastic life is
no guarantee of sinlessness. It may BE sin in itself.
No
man steps twice in the same flowing stream. The stream is
moving, and his second step is into water that was yet above him
when the first step was taken. We may begin to do something in
good faith, and with ample authority; and find later that
circumstances are now such as to make the continuation of our
work wrong. It takes a good man to face this, and let divine
authority rather than his own traditions, guide his life. Many
will let tradition overrule the application of God’s word to
his life. But fear of what may happen (when there
is no scriptural principle violated, nor scriptural warning
ignored) makes for a false “soundness.”
Truth
never “leads to” error, and right is not the father of
wrong. This is the point of Jas. 1:13-18 and 1 Jn. 3:6-f. We sin
when we quit following God, and follow Satan.
Although
“times change” and new circumstances constantly arise, we
have an unchanging standard, suited to all ages. We are faithful
only when we ACT upon its teachings. The church is the “pillar,”
not the “pillow,” of God’s truth. (1 Tim. 3:15)
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