No doubt you have heard
the saying, "silence give consent" and in most cases this seems
to be the truth. When one is in doubt concerning something, whether it is
in the nominal world, or in the religious world, there is usually a
silence or a non-committal attitude on the part of one who is in question.
One of the dangers of our day is a person on the fence concerning the
truth, and there are hundreds sitting on the fence post. They are
uncomfortable, and rightly so, for they don't want to lose friends on one
side and they are afraid to offend the ones on the other side. They will
not commit their stand and let everyone know where they stand.
I want to emphasize a point right
here. There is only ONE SIDE that is right, and that is GOD'S SIDE. How
true the saying that there are three sides to every story-my side, your
side and the truth. The truth never sits on the fence of indecision, for
truth is a known fact, a proven product. One never has to doubt whether he
has the truth, for it witnesses for itself through the Spirit.
If truth is not on the fence, then
it is on one side or the other. It's easy to know which side truth is on,
for truth does not change its message, and any additional light only
subtanstiate the truth once proclaimed. So where, my friend does that put
you?
I would like to draw your attention
to Paul's experience in Acts 24:14-"But this i confess unto thee,
that after the way which they call heresy, so worship I the God of my
fathers, believing all things which are written in the law and the
prophets." Paul was not afraid to declare his stand and made it plain
that he was standing by those who were believing the old truths and types
as set forth in the Old Testament. Certainly he lost friends and
followers, but he retained Christ and his salvation by proclaiming his
stand.
Many today have destroyed the
landmarks so essential to holiness, found in the law and prophets, but
that does not change the truth. Man is responsible to God alone. Man must
answer to God for his stand, regardless of the loss or the gain, for it is
better to lose buildings, friends and prestige, that to lose your soul.
Peter's admonition was to "be
ready always to give an answer to everyman that asketh you a reason of the
hope that is in you with meekness and fear" 1 Peter 3:15. Brother
that takes your fence post position away and you are found, as far
as God is concerned in the camp of the false. It is time for those who see
the one church in unity and faith to stand up and be counted for. It's
time to denounce every false spirit and doctrine, and let
everyone know where you stand. If you fail to take this positive stand,
you will go down, as have other before you. Not only that, you must,
you must come out and be separate, or be made partakers of their sins.
The attitude of "I'll go along and fellowship everybody, and it's
nobody's business" only jeopardizes your relationship with God, and
eventually will land you amongst those who are on the wrong side of the
fence. Believe me, there is a fence: The line of demarcation which divide
the church from the world and the true church from the false.