Truth or Consequences

by Tony Huddleston

Suppose a doctor tells a man that his pain is caused by appendicitis and that immediate surgery is needed.
A second doctor, making the same diagnosis, prescribes pain pills and tells him everything is going to be all right. Which doctor actually showed concern for the man's health? When it comes to our health, we want the truth, no matter how unpleasant that may be.
The same should be true in spiritual matters, but often it is not. Paul tells Timothy in 2 Timothy 4:4 that "...they shall turn from truth unto fables". Paul predicted that people would prefer lies rather than truth.
Sadly, there are false teachers today, even among those who claim to belong to Christ. Consider these examples:
1) Some teach that "once saved, always saved", but the Bible clearly teaches we can fall. ( 1 Corinthians 10:12).
2) Some teach that baptism is not essential for salvation, but the Bible clearly teaches otherwise. ( Acts 22:16, 1 Peter 3:21, and other passages).
3) Some teach that God accepts divorce and remarriage for any cause, but the Bible says"... whosoever shall put away his wife, except it be for fornication, and shall marry another committeth adultery..." ( Matthew 19:9)
4) Some teach that worship attendance is not really all that important, but the Bible says "Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves..." ( Hebrews 10:25).
Is there any comfort in these false teachings? Even if we believe something with all our heart, it doesn't make it true. If something is not true, it is unrighteous, (Rom. 2:8), and unrighteousness is sin, ( 1 John 5:17), and the wages of sin is death ( Romans 6:23).
The consequence of believing a lie is eternally tragic. The sacrifices we must sometimes make on this earth are insignificant when we consider our eternal destiny. The Lord loves us ( John 3:16), and desires that none perish, but His truth will not be compromised.

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