13
Nov
2008
A HUGE QUESTION FOR LIBERALS
Liberalism is the disguise with which Satan makes lawlessness look respectable. It makes the concept appealing to people as “kindness, tolerance, generosity, etc.” This is the “sheep’s clothing” Jesus warned about in Mat. 7:15. Under that disguise is a “ravenous wolf.” Satan, being the “lawless one.” (2 Thess. 2:9) has the primary aim to “take the word out of their hearts lest they should believe and be saved” (Luke 8:12) and put lawlessness in its place. Jesus said that those who are fooled into going this wrong way will claim at the judgment to have done wonderful things in his name, but He will say to them, “I never knew you, depart from me, you who practice lawlessness.” (Mat. 7:23) It is unbelievable that Satan could have such success at selling the lawlessness idea as he is having now. How is he doing it?
One of the keys is to get folks angry at each other. “The wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God.” (James 1:20) What you may not have noticed is that the bitterness is not just on the part of the conservative side of the controversy. Some of the most judgmental and vicious brethren in the world are the liberals. If you openly disagree with them they will usually talk down to you and can be quite fierce. What they say about legalists is every bit as harsh as what legalists say about them. In chapter 3 James said of bitter envying and self seeking, “This wisdom does not descend from above, but is earthly, sensual, demonic.” What this attitude does is to distract from the issues that are disputed and obscure the Biblical facts in the case. Regardless of which side one is on in the controversy between liberalism and legalism, the bitterness is what Satan wants. It is blinding and destructive.
A major factor, the matter of priorities: Then James said, “The wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, etc.” Being a kind and tolerant person is important and willingness to yield is a high priority. But according to God’s word these are not the highest priority. Unity is a high priority but not the highest. The text in James 3 says the wisdom that is from above is first pure. This is where Satan gets a foot in the door, inverted priorities. By making a willingness to yield more important than purity our minds are shifted away from purity. This is compromise. It is what the Bible calls “lawlessness,” and Jesus said it will not pass the judgment. (Mat. 7:23)
Even the Son of God would not tamper with the doctrine. “My doctrine is not mine but His who sent me.” The apostle John stated, “He who does not have the doctrine of Christ does not have God.” (2 John 9) Paul told Timothy, “I urged you when I went into Macedonia – remain in Ephesus that you may charge some that they teach no other doctrine.” (1 Tim. 1:3) Have you noticed that more and more it is being preached that we ought to lay aside doctrinal concerns and just focus on the man, Jesus?
Two sides of God: It is a mistake to suppose, as some apparently do, that there is no such thing as the wrath of God concerning His own people. The apostle Paul told the Romans to reconsider that idea. “Therefore consider the goodness and severity of God. On those who fell, severity, but toward you goodness, if you continue in His goodness. Otherwise you also will be cut off.” (Rom. 11:22) Yes, God is love and He has grace toward His people. But the Bible also speaks often about His wrath upon those who are not obedient, even of His own people. Most of the protestant reformers respected this and began a good thing with the motto “The scriptures only.” But it degenerated into squabbles about WHO is right instead of WHAT is right. In an effort to resolve that they bought into the idea that grace eliminates law, elavated peace and unity above truth, and issued anathemas against any who would try to truly honor and respect the sovereign word of God.
The restoration movement was an even better beginning, more focused on the scriptures as the final authority in spiritual matters. But in recent years it is moving into the same battle field as protestantism, WHO is right instead of WHAT is right. Brethren most often heard today seem to be making all the mistakes that protestant denominationalism made. I believe our only hope is to return to the concept that “the way of man is not in himself. It is not in man that walks to direct his own steps.” We must recognize that the word of God is the supreme authority and loyalty to it is more important than anything else. Anyone who is hostile toward this concept, from either direction, liberalism or legalism, needs an attitude adjustment. In our preoccupation with peace we are being blind sided by lawlessness. Please think about it. Jesus said that will not pass the judgment. The big question for liberals is this: “What will you do at the judgment when you encounter the Bible passages that condemn what you are doing?”