Thoughts on Truth and Compromise

After reading this post Pyromaniacs: Some Thoughts about Truth­­­­ and the one following Pyromaniacs: How Vital Is the Truth?, a good bit of my already small mind was devoted to thinking on some of the things I had read, especially from the comment of one of the defenders of the “emergent” or “emerging” church movement (ECM) that seems to be all the rage these days. I recalled some words from Thomas Watson that spoke to me about what our response to such movements as the ECM.

“…the profaneness of the times should not slacken but heighten our zeal. The looser others are, the stricter we should be. In those degenerate times when men were arrived at the acme and the height of impudence, and dared to speak treason against heaven, then they that feared the Lord spake often to one another. When others were plaintiffs these were defendants; when others spoke against God, these spoke for God.” (Thomas Watson-The Great Gain of Godliness)

In these times when men will say that the Word of God is not wholly true, when men say the truth is unknowable and there is nothing certain, let those who believe in a great God, a sovereign God, “Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth,” (Eph 6:14 ESV) and declare the Word of God. Let those who would not mock the Creator stand unmovable though the whole world be armed against them. May they not be swayed with the popular philosophy of the day, but deeply rooted in the sure foundation of the Scriptures which reveal unto us an Immutable and Holy God.

“The old serpent has taught men crooked windings, and to be for that religion which does not have truth on its side, but power.” (Thomas Watson-The Great Gain of Godliness)

If you are being sucked into the relativistic thought that seems to be so much in power in these day, I beg you to turn to the word of God and search for the one who is the Truth.

I think of the Apostle Paul and the struggles he went through in his ministry.

“…with far greater labors, far more imprisonments, with countless beatings, and often near death. Five times I received at the hands of the Jews the forty lashes less one. Three times I was beaten with rods. Once I was stoned. Three times I was shipwrecked; a night and a day I was adrift at sea; on frequent journeys, in danger from rivers, danger from robbers, danger from my own people, danger from Gentiles, danger in the city, danger in the wilderness, danger at sea, danger from false brothers; in toil and hardship, through many a sleepless night, in hunger and thirst, often without food, in cold and exposure…” (2 Cor 11:23-27 ESV)

In all of this Paul still labored to preach the truth of God. Don’t you think he might have told Timothy that this just isn’t working the way he had planned? There is too much suffering, too much hardship. Maybe tell Timothy to make the message more pleasant, more appetizing, less authoritative and piercing so he wouldn’t have to worry about offending his listeners and by pleasing their ears bring more to Christ? No! Paul even warned Timothy that men would do this very thing.

“I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by his appearing and his kingdom: preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching. For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths. As for you, always be sober-minded, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry. (Eph 4:1-4 ESV)

And he previously charged Timothy two chapters earlier,

“Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord, nor of me his prisoner, but share in suffering for the gospel by the power of God, who saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works but because of his own purpose and grace, which he gave us in Christ Jesus before the ages began, and which now has been manifested through the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus, who abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel, for which I was appointed a preacher and apostle and teacher, which is why I suffer as I do. But I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed, and I am convinced that he is able to guard until that Day what has been entrusted to me. Follow the pattern of the sound words that you have heard from me, in the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. By the Holy Spirit who dwells within us, guard the good deposit entrusted to you. (Eph 1:8-14 ESV)

Does this leave any doubt where the child of God’s heart should be?

“And we know that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding, so that we may know him who is true; and we are in him who is true, in his Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life.” (1 John 5:20 ESV)

“Buy truth, and do not sell it; buy wisdom, instruction, and understanding.” (Proverbs 23:23)

Now what is it that causes men to turn from both Godliness and trust in His Word? I will answer once again from Watson, Fear! Not a godly fear (awe, reverence, love) but fear that is born of being persecuted; carnal fear. The fear of being laughed at and scoffed for not conforming to the wisdom of the world. Watson says, "if a lame man laugh at you for walking upright, will you walk with a limp?" (paraphrased) Then later he quotes Aristotle when the philosopher stated that a chameleon changes colors so much because of excessive fear. Then Watson writes something that is so true of many people, "Fear makes men change their religion as the chameleon does her colors."

Why should we fear? What is the worst that may happen to us for standing for the truth of God's Word? Ridicule? Tribulation? Death? Are we, who are christians, to fear these things having been given the promise of eternal life?

"But now thus says the Lord,he who created you, O Jacob,he who formed you, O Israel:“Fear not, for I have redeemed you;I have called you by name, you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you;and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you;when you walk through fire you shall not be burned,and the flame shall not consume you. For I am the Lord your God,the Holy One of Israel, your Savior.I give Egypt as your ransom,Cush and Seba in exchange for you." (Isaiah 43:1-3 ESV)

By the Grace of God and for His Glory,
Justin Walker