Misquoted Scripture and Fatalism
Misquoted or half-quoted Scripture is the cause of leading many a poor soul astray, or rather settling them in their already estrayed condition. For instance, many have been settled into a lukewarm inactivity and self-satisfied carelessness by the partial quotation of Rom. 8:28. We often hear people encouraging themselves in a wrong course, and we often hear of their being encouraged by others not to be concerned about things that are wrong, because “we know that all things work together for good.” To quote just those words of that text is to minister a rank delusion. Yet it is quite frequently done, even in the pulpit. Those words by themselves constitute the doctrine of fatalism, and are used in support of that error by those who want to believe that it is not necessary to make any special effort for their own salvation or the salvation of others. What the text really says is, “We know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose.” All others are wicked, and the Word says, “The face of the Lord is against them that do evil, to cut off the remembrance of them from the earth.” Ps. 34:16. God first loved us, and gave His Son to die for us, and all His promises of good toward which all things work together, are to those who reciprocate His love by accepting His overtures of mercy. And “this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments; and His commandments are not grievous.” 1 John 5:3.