Dangers Surrounding the Truth.
By W. N. Glenn
THE idea of danger being connected with the truth may seem anomalous to some, but it is by no means fallacious or unreasonable. The danger, however, is not in the truth itself, but rather in the manner of its use. What is the truth? The answer is found in the Saviour’s own words addressed to his Father—“Thy word is truth.” Is there anything dangerous about the word of God? Not if it be properly appreciated and obeyed. But the examples of the antediluvians, the Sodomites, the Egyptians, and ancient Israel, all show the extreme danger of knowing the truth and not obeying it. Men sometimes shrink from obedience on account of the crosses involved, and the persecutions to which those who will “live godly in Christ Jesus” are liable; while if they would duly weigh the more dire consequences of disobedience, they might see that here is where the real danger lies. There is danger in making improper use of the truth. In the time of Eli, the Israelites fought with the Philistines and the battle was against Israel; so they sent for the ark of the covenant, hoping that it would save them from their enemies. But they had the humiliation of seeing the ark taken by their opponents, themselves defeated, and the two sons of Eli slain—the news of which caused the death of the high priest himself. And when the Philistines took the ark to their cities, it caused disaster and death in every place where they carried it. Was it wrong for them to have the law in their possession? No; but it was wrong for them to handle it in an unsanctified manner, and make an unholy use of it. They had unlawful possession of the ark, and were holding the law as a trophy of victory over its Author. Again, when they had sent it away, and it came to Beth-shemesh, the people received it with rejoicing, and offered sacrifice in its honor. This was all right so far; but they had the temerity to look into it, just to gratify idle curiosity; and for this over fifty thousand of them were slain. Then the ark was taken to Kirjath-jearim and kept in the house of Abinadab, and his son Eleazar was sanctified to keep it. When twenty years had elapsed, King David went with thirty thousand men to remove the ark to his own place. Contrary to the law (Num. 7: 9) they placed it upon a cart drawn by oxen. The cart was put in charge of Ahio and Uzzah, sons of Abinadab. The ark had been in their father’s house a long time, and their brother had been sanctified to keep it; of course they were perfectly familiar with it, and no doubt felt a great interest in it. So when the oxen stumbled and the ark was apparently about to fall, Uzzah deemed it quite proper, even necessary, to put forth his hand to steady it. But his acquaintance with it did not warrant a forbidden act, and he was slain for his presumption. There is danger in compromising the truth with error. Adulterated truth is simply falsehood. “What fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness?” “Ye cannot serve God and mammon.” “He that is not for me is against me.” “He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me.” “Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers.” There is danger in stifling conviction, or deferring action when convinced of duty. God’s Spirit will not always strive with man, and many instances are given in the Scriptures which testify to the fact. “The carnal mind is enmity against God,” and no man can come to Christ except the Father by his Spirit draw him. Then when there is an impression of duty upon the mind, or a faithful warning by a servant of God, it is of the Spirit, and to disregard such invitation is dangerous in the extreme. For all these opportunities and mercies there will be an account to render. Felix “trembled” under conviction, and Agrippa was “almost persuaded” to be a Christian, but the truth in these instances was but “the savor of death unto death.” So it was also to the rich young ruler who knew his duty but could not part with his possessions; he was sorry, but his sorrow did him no good, for it was not of the right kind. There is still another sorrow in store for him. But there is a danger in holding the truth that experience brings vividly to my mind. It is in being so intimately connected with it that it becomes common from being handled in a mechanical or business manner. Constant connection may restrain one to a certain extent from overt acts of disobedience, but contact alone will not build up and fortify the soul against the natural desires of an unregenerate heart. The heart must be engaged to insure safety. Where the work of the Lord is specially performed, there the most ingenious arts of the adversary are plied. There one may be lulled to sleep in fancied security, and be made to believe that he is standing, while in reality he is but leaning on his surroundings. Furthermore, one may be deceived in imagining that a firm belief of the truth makes him a Christian. But belief is not obedience—“the devils believe and tremble.” Nothing could convince me that the coming of the Lord is not near; that the Judgment is not at hand; that it is not my duty to overcome my faults; but the danger lies in not fully practicing the belief. He that knows his Master’s will and does not perform it, “shall be beaten with many stripes.” Then there is danger in merely knowing the truth, for the very knowledge brings responsibility which may not be slighted or neglected with impunity.