By Norman W. Fisk
The truth and logic of the Gospel are being slaughtered daily on the altar of liberal ideology. Preachers, elders, and churches once standing as defenders of righteousness have drifted off the straight and narrow path and are now stuck in the rut of denominationalism. Over the years I have watched and agonized as many of my brothers and sisters in Christ have slowly digressed from the sure foundation of God, building their houses upon the ever drifting sand.
It is a slippery slope which will end, as the Lord said, in a “great” fall (Matt. 7:21-27).
I have never understood the “reasoning” of those who substitute the security of truth for the “feel good” concept of liberalism.
The “unity in diversity” concept has opened the door for every kind of error to be practiced by those who once would have never allowed such. Faith only, instrumental music, no Lord’s supper at evening services, no classes, putting the church in business, divorce and remarriage for any reason, and even the acceptance of homosexual activity are only a few of these now accepted ideas by some. It matters not how old or new these ideas are error is error, sin is sin.
The fear of God has vanished from the hearts of many. When Paul wrote “. . . knowing therefore, the terror of the Lord, we persuade men . . .” (2 Cor. 5:11b). It was a concept he well understood. The wise Solomon addressed this same issue when he pinned these words: “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction” (Prov. 1:7). Many have lost this very important ingredient of faith and are unafraid to change, twist, pervert, and circumnavigate the truth.
Recently I sadly watched as a small congregation was ambushed by a few predator members, including the preacher, leaving it in shambles. They lied to and deceived the honest folks into a situation which left them without a place to meet. The “leaders” made arrangements to rent the building to another group without informing the other members. They then joined themselves to a liberal group in the same town taking several with them. They also robbed the treasury sending most of it to a liberal preacher in another country.
I am reminded of Paul’s pleading to the elders from Ephesus when he said, “Also from among yourselves men will rise up speaking perverse things to draw away the disciples after themselves” (Acts 20:30). Paul, in quoting the Psalmist, wrote, “There is no fear of God before their eyes” (Rom. 3:18). Some seem to ignore the consequences of sin. Paul goes on to put all this into perspective by saying: “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of God, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad”(2 Cor. 5:10).
Just as Israel ignored God’s pleading and warning against practicing error, many today have lost the most important ingredient of knowledge, wisdom and faith. Where is their fear?