Leaving Beyond – Grounded In Scripture

Did We Learn Nothing From 2020?

Times of Uncertainty and the Call to Faithfulness

In times of uncertainty, many are afraid. What we believe is tested and has in recent years shown the bankruptcy and shallowness of much theology coming from many pulpits. Others, when cultural moments seem to offer “highs,” are eager to ride the wave. Yet what we do not need are those who withdraw from biblical conviction, nor those who compromise conviction.

God is providentially working all things out according to His sovereign will (Ephesians 1:11). He does not call us to act according to the moment, but to remain faithful and obedient, acting according to His Word and will. What we need are men and women who remain consistent and steadfast, faithful in the truth.

“Our faith rests not on shifting sands of human opinion, but on the immovable rock of God’s promises.” — John Owen

Lessons from 2020

In 2020, many Christians were shaken. Our language was often hijacked and used against us. Yet there were men and women who remained steadfast and faithful in the truth. They were not shaken but courageous. They called us back to the truth, rebuked those who taught falsehood and compromised, corrected error, and God worked through their faithfulness as they proclaimed the truth, corrected error, and obeyed His Word.

It was not them we boast of, but God’s grace toward us: He has given us His unchanging Word and has raised up those He called and gifted to proclaim it amid times of what seemed uncertain. What felt uncertain to us was never uncertain to God.

If we look to the world, things will appear unstable. But we do not look to the world—we look to God. He is our sure and steady anchor (Hebrews 6:19). He is sovereign. He is God!

“The providence of God is the pillow upon which the child of God rests his head.” — Charles H. Spurgeon

The Temptation to Compromise Convictions

Now we live in a cultural moment that seeks to lead us into compromising once strongly held biblical convictions. The moment seems to demand it. But does God?

This cultural “high” will come down, and when it does, the damage will be revealed. Where will we be found standing?

As we saw after 2020 many pastors compromised. They followed the way of the world. They brought it into the church. They rebuked those who stood firmly in the truth. They stood—and many remain standing—in opposition to God. Christ loves His bride and He does not take lightly those who prostitute her for their own purposes. We do not win the world through compromise but through faithfulness to God and trust that He is who He says He is and He will do what He says He will do.

How can we prevent such damage as a result of compromise? By examining our response. Are we remaining faithful and steadfast in the truth? Are we trusting God? Are we consistent? If not, why not?

Do we trust that God is sovereign over this moment? Do we believe that God is sovereign in salvation? Do we act as though souls will perish unless we compromise biblical convictions? Can God not save unless we bend to cultural pressure?

“The gospel is not helped by human invention; it is injured by it. Our business is to preach the gospel, not to improve upon it.” — C.H. Spurgeon

The Folly of Compromise

How is compromise in this moment any different from the megachurch that casts aside the Bible, engages in vulgar entertainment, or preaches man-centered messages under the guise of reaching the lost?

Compromise never produces the fruit we convince ourselves it will. God is still sovereign. In this life we will face many moments that tempt us to compromise biblical convictions. Yet it is not those who compromise that glorify God or reveal trust in Him. It is those who remain faithful and steadfast—even if accused of not doing enough.

Since when is proclaiming the Gospel, rebuking and correcting error (2 Timothy 4:2), discipling the saints, and faithfully evangelizing not enough?

“The Church of Christ is not to be judged by the world’s standards of success, but by her faithfulness to the Word of God.” — Martyn Lloyd-Jones

Trusting God with the Increase

We do not have to “seize the moment” by compromising biblical conviction in order to care for the lost. What we must do is remain faithful, steadfast, and trusting God to bring the increase (1 Corinthians 3:6–7).

God is sovereign. The same God who reigns in times of stability reigns in times of uncertainty and He reigns in times of highs that seek to shipwreck our faith as well as lows that reveal its beauty. He calls His people to faithfulness, not compromise. And in the end, He will be glorified through steadfast obedience to His Word.

An Exhortation

The gospel must be kept pure. We must be careful of anything in the world that pressures us toward compromise. Christ loves His bride. He knows what we need, and He will not lose a single one of His own (John 6:39). We need not fear that if we refuse to compromise, souls will perish. Instead, we should fear that by compromising biblical conviction, we will do lasting damage—through disobedience and a lack of trust in the sovereignty of God and in His unfolding providence.

Grace and Peace, y’all

Soli Deo Gloria

April J. Buchanan