COMPROMISE IS NOT LOVE
Today, intolerance of compromise is considered lack of love for one another. It is just the opposite. If one really cares about someone, he should tell them the truth, whether it makes him popular or not.
We are told that: "Open rebuke is better than secret love. Faithful are the wounds of a friend; but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful."
Those who are willing to stand for the truth must remember: "He that reproveth a scorner getteth to himself shame: and he that rebuketh a wicked man getteth himself a blot. Reprove not a scorner, lest he hate thee: rebuke a wise man, and he will love thee. Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be yet wiser: teach a just man, and he will increase in learning. The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding."
It is very difficult to proclaim error in a way that is pleasing to those who, through the traditions of men, participate in activities never prescribed nor authorized by God. Many teachers, who have studied the Bible and secular history, are well aware of the origin of the quote "Christianized" pagan practices which we have discussed - yet they proclaim them to be acceptable to the Biblical Jesus: These are Teachers "Whose mouths must be stopped."
Those concealing the truth in order to uphold the traditions of men should not be told in a pleasing way: Pagan tradition was never authorized by the Jesus of the Bible - you are preaching "another Jesus".
Do we really love the truth? Those that do will not be satisfied to remain like those, who, "willingly are ignorant". They will study in order to search out the truth and then respond to it.
The truth must be proclaimed: "That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:" .......The Biblical Jesus
In accordance with Biblical instructions we must hold fast the faithful word of sound doctrine. The law is holy, and the commandment holy, and just, and good.
and sin is the transgression of that law.
"What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?"
This segment is excerpted from the book, "Too Long in the Sun".
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