Leaving Beyond – Grounded In Scripture

“Be not deceived: the world may appear united, but unity apart from Christ is always dangerous.” ~ Charles Spurgeon

“Men may agree in sorrow, but unless their hearts are fixed on God, their understanding is corrupt.” ~ Jonathan Edwards

“Truth is the foundation of our faith; compromise is the first step toward destruction.” ~ John Owen

Though at first there may appear common ground in grief and anguish, we soon see that our theology drives our response. Be careful that moments of unity in sorrow do not lead to compromise in doctrinal conviction. Here is where our convictions are tried, and where some find their theology bankrupt, others hold fiercely to false beliefs, others grow hardened toward God, and few are the faithful who persevere by God’s grace.

Some will mention prayer and needing God, but they are merely cultural Christians. They have no real understanding of who God is, and they live as though God needs them. They see such moments as though they believe in a distant deity, who spun things into motion but now it’s all up to them. They believe there’s a god, and they see similarities in different religions—they may even distinguish the God of Christianity from other gods—but they see Him as having gotten things going and then stepping back, leaving it up to us.

We see those arise who confuse politics with Christianity and think that anyone who aligns morally with Christianity and fights for those beliefs politically must be saved. They believe or in their practices show themselves to believe that, “To be a Conservative means to be a Christian.” These think they are good with God because they share in common with Christians certain moral beliefs. Common ground can be good and restrain evil, but it can lead to compromise and to assuming some are saved simply because they agree with us on moral issues, though they remain enemies of God. When they make statements and call for unity that requires Christians to compromise biblical conviction, many follow. They seek to win the world by means of the world.

Then there are those who have been prophesied over their entire lives that they are special, that they are going to do big things for God, and that they are going to be world-changers. Tragedy may temporarily cause a wrestling in their mind over what they believe to be true, but they recall what has been spoken over them and they believe they are the answer and that they are going to do big things. This is their moment. They are quite dangerous. They don’t read Scripture and see those like David and his sin, which ought to reveal who they truly are. Rather, they read of David’s heroic moments and dream of themselves as the hero. They don’t see that Christ is the greater David. No, every “hero moment” is pointing to them. They are the next David.

Few are the faithful. They remember Christ. They continue through it all, steadfast and faithful, pointing to Christ. Though there may be moments of agreement in sorrow, these recognize the dangerous doctrines of those who claim Christ but do not know Him, and of those who are deceived and following after false teachers. They bring truth to bear on the hearts of men even amid tragedy. The deceived may agree, but their understanding is corrupted, and they filter the words through their own corrupt beliefs about who God is and who they are.

Truth divides!

The faithful will stand firm in the truth. They point to Christ and find their hope and refuge in Him.

Friend, we need not be famous; we need only to be faithful. Trust God! Stand firm in the truth. Test everything according to sound doctrine. Be not deceived by moments of what appear to be unity, for while we may use some of the same language, we do not mean the same thing. Test everything, and hold firm to what is good.

Truth is constant. Compromise is costly. Stand firm dear saint in the truth. Stay faithful.

Grace and Peace, y’all
Soli Deo Gloria

April J. Buchanan