Leaving Beyond – Grounded In Scripture

 “There is no truer love than that which reproves sin; soft words that flatter are often the greatest enemies of souls.” ~ Charles Spurgeon

Priding oneself on doing nothing and “just loving everyone” is contra-Scripture. Some take no stand against evil and boast in their position to “just love everyone.” But that is not love—not as Scripture commands us to love. Refusing to stand in the truth against the evil that seeks to infiltrate churches is not something of which to boast, but something to be ashamed. Refusing to resist evil by proclaiming the truth—while embracing useless mystical practices from the new age and other false religions—is not something of which to boast.

Many abandon truth. Why? Because it is hated. It calls men to repent. It does not feel good. It exposes our sin. It does not promise all we desire. It does not flatter us with how great or wonderful we are.

Many pastors and professing Christians do not proclaim the truth. Instead, they preach a message that offends no one, saves no one, and brings no persecution. They flatter themselves and one another with how loving they are and what great things they are doing. They boast in their love and their works while forsaking Christ’s work and His love. They sacrifice truth! They allow the world to infiltrate the church with its ideologies. In doing so, they perform the work of Satan—redefining the church and her mission in the world.

Such men know nothing of persecution that identifies them with Christ, because they cater to the world and reshape the church according to its demands. Many “churches” today are Christian in name only. Yet God still has His faithful few within them, and He has not forgotten His own.

“Every man will suffer. But persecution can be avoided . . . all you have to do is compromise.” ~ Voddie Baucham

Many have not walked in the truth, stood firm in the truth, and will never be persecuted for being identified with the truth. They are identified as “accepting,” “affirming,” “loving,” and aligned with the world’s ideologies under a cloak of Christian language. They will not reason according to Scripture. They affirm the world and call it love. They have no real biblical convictions.

Trying to talk to “Christians” who claim to be more loving because they “just have a relationship with Jesus” but reject “doctrine” is frustrating to say the least. They may be agreeable and gentle in tone, but they have made an idol out of love. In their effort to “get people to Jesus,” they remove the truth that offends, building bridges that lead men by another way.

Many “Christians” do not walk in truth, and when challenged they will not stand firm either. They want the praise and glory that comes with being called a Christian, but they do not want to endure the persecution that comes with being identified with Christ. They claim courage, but even in the little things, they stand in opposition to the truth.

Dear saint, we don’t live for the highs—we live to glorify Christ, today and tomorrow.

Grace and Peace, y’all
Soli Deo Gloria

April J. Buchanan