Bible Thoughts

October 5, 2003

The Fine Line

There is a fine line that separates truth from error in the minds of many people. It is often difficult to identify the line and is easily crossed unless one is careful. There is a point at which truth ceases and error begins in our religious world. Often, only a mind trained in the scriptures has the ability to discern truth from error. A little carelessness and an over abundance of zeal, makes it possible for error to invade a person's mind. A constant study of God's word and a daily application of the principles of truth to everything in the realm of religion can build one's faith on solid ground. "Study to show thyself approved unto God...handling aright the word of truth"(II Timothy 2:15).

Speech must be regulated by the principles set forth in the word of God. When we use our tongues, we need to be conscious of the fine line that exists in our minds when it comes to truth and error. A careless word and a slip of the tongue can put us over the fine line between what is right and what is improper. Someone suggested that the teeth can be a type of cage to keep the "unruly member" from causing us to trip with the tongue. Sometimes we "open the hatch" and the escaping words overtake us and cause us to stray from the path of true and decent speech. "Let your speech be always with grace..."(Colossians 4:6).

Recreation is a proper pursuit for Christians. The choices that we make must be done in a careful manner making sure that we do not cross the line from appropriate to inappropriate. It is easy to think, "I don't see any harm in what I am doing." Later, one learns that a bad choice was made realizing that what I am engaging in leads me away from the principles of righteousness. Fewer young men and women would be living in shame if this principle(weighing activities by the scriptures) were applied to any situation. How easy it is to be caught up in the offerings of the world and be influenced by the pressure of the majority to participate in some activity that leads away from the Lord. "Set your mind on the things that are above, not on the things that are upon the earth"(Colossians 3:2).

Zeal is to be tempered with faith and respect for the word of God. Overzealous brethren have been led astray because they did not take the time to weigh a position or activity in a local church. It is easy to cross the fine line of acceptable or unacceptable teachings and positions. We believe a wonderful opportunity comes our way. We have an idea on how to take advantage of the same. We leap over the fine line and, with reckless and unwise acceptance, we engage in an activity that cannot be proven by the scriptures. Never let our zeal exceed our knowledge; our fervor ignore wisdom; feelings control our judgment; and--be persuaded to engage in something that does not have scriptural authority. Leaping across the fine line has caused many problems in the history of God's church. Christ "gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a people of his own possession, zealous of good works"(Titus 2:14).

Human doctrines and human churches are the result of breaking down the barrier separating righteousness and iniquity. When one elder assumed authority over his fellows, the fine line into apostasy had begun to roll as a mighty avalanche ending in the creation of the Roman Catholic Church. The product of crossing the line of truth was a Pope who sits in a papal chair as the spiritual dictator over millions of people. Later, a little cooperation among those who were not happy with the simplicity of the pattern of the New Testament brought the Missionary Society into the Lord's body. As those involved crossed the line of patterns from the New Testament, a new denomination came into existence. "....in vain do they worship me, teaching as their doctrines the commands of men"(Matthew 15:9).

In addition to the above, the public worship of God has been corrupted in the past by the infusion of practices that are not found in the scriptures. How convenient it was to say over 150 years ago, "Oh, the instrument helps our singing and I don't see any harm it." The result of such an attitude caused many to depart from the faith and created a human denomination(Christian church). Was the instrument authorized? If so, where is the passage? However appealing the use of the instrument was to men, there is not one passage in the New Testament that justified its use. Those who brought such into the worship crossed the line into sectarian foolishness. "God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship in spirit and truth"(John 4:24).

Human doctrines and human churches of today are the result of breaking down the barrier separating righteousness and iniquity. From the first departures from the truth of God's word to the present apostasies, men have crossed the fine line of truth to embrace whatever they desired to have in their own religious activities. Safe ground can only be maintained by holding to the principle of a "book, chapter, and verse" attitude. When the Lord's people cease to call for Bible authority for every teaching and practice, the seed for apostasy has been sown. The fruition comes years later as the erosion of faith leads one into sectarianism and denomationalism. Let none of us "cross the fine line" of truth and godliness. We plead that each disciple make a resolve to follow only what the scriptures teach and to maintain the faith that we read about in the New Testament. "...having been begotten again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, through the word of God..."(I Peter 1:23).

The magical words above are used to excuse men of their ungodly behavior. Such words become the excuse to commit mayhem and murder, destroy lives and property, and commit various crimes against society. The radio, TV, and press contain everday accounts of highway slaughter, property destruction, and lives lost with the comment, "he had been drinking." Such seems to be the justification for the ordinary person to become a vicious monster at liberty to act like some kind of an animal only to say when he is sober, "I was drunk." Does being under the influence of an intoxicant beverage give a man a right to become a wild beast? Certainly not! Yet, our society and courts give leeway, too often, to the one who is intoxicated(drunk!). If a person who was sober acted like those who become intoxicated, he would be put in a place of confinement. For one who is drunk, too many times, a few hours in jail, a nominal fine, and the revoking of a driver's license for a period of time would be the extent of one's punishment.