[Biblemat] A) "WHAT IT LEADS TO"

[J5827Sasser at wmconnect.com]

Brethren and Friends, Jim Sasser here.  A very good Thursday
morning to each and everyone.  May God bless you and yours.
Here is an article from my files:

"WHAT IT LEADS TO"

     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 con-
tent of my preaching.  I asked 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 sub-
ject (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 (Jno. 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 the 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 evolve new temptations.  But remaining at rest also 
affects attitudes and viewpoints, and could involve new temp-
tations.  The monastic life is no guarantee of sinlessness.  It
may BE sin in itself.

     No man steps twice in the same flowing stream.  The stre-
am 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, adn 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
no Scriptural principle is violated, nor Scriptural warning igno-
red) Makes for "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 Jno. 3:6ff.  We
sin when we quit following God and follow Satan.

     Although "times change" and new circumstances constant-
ly 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).   ------- Robert F. Turner, via, Gospel Power, Vol. 14, No.
44, Nov. 4, 2007.   </HTML>
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