Toning It Down

 Since it is time for another post, I thought this time I would share an article from Charles Spurgeon from the late 1800's that was shared with me a few weeks ago. It really hit home to me when I want to pray " God please make my life easier and less difficult" As I listened to the sermon from our sending church in Indiana this week and Pastor Carl was talking about taking responsibility for our actions. He relates a story about how when he goes grocery shopping for the last number of years, somehow, just by chance, a box of donuts somehow keeps falling into his cart and he is not sure how they get there but it just keeps happening. He closed the sermon asking the congregation, "What are your donuts that you can't seem to get rid of"? I think the following article from Spurgeon asks the same thing. When will I face the truth and deal with it and quit trying to water it down?

   I see the spirit of compromise concerning holiness and sin, truth and error, far too prevalent. The spirit of compromise comes not of the Spirit of God, but of the spirit of the world.

It is always wisest and best to exhibit clear decision upon fundamental points; we must draw the line distinctly, and then stand to it firmly. Do not alter your course because of winds and currents. Do not try to make things pleasant all round.

Do not be like the fellow, in one of the American towns, who saw a traveler leaning against a lamp-post, weary and worn with his journey. The traveler inquired of him how far it was to such a place, and was told that it was ten miles. The weary traveler sighed, and said, "I shall never hold out. I shall faint on the road."

"Ah!" said his sympathizing informant, "I did not know you were quite so far gone, I will knock off three miles, and make it seven for you."

Of course, this operation in words did not alter the fact, nor really reduce the ten to seven. Yet this is the method of some weakly, amiable souls; they tone down truth, forgetting that their tone does not affect the fact.

This obligation is too severe; and, therefore, it is suggested that it may be somewhat relaxed. This doctrine is too stern; so make it wear a milder aspect. This manner of pleasing everybody at any cost is the style of the period. If sin, and human depravity, and so forth, are strongly spoken of in the old theology, run off to the new, and soften matters. If the punishment of the impenitent too much alarms men, treat it lightly, and spirit it away; who wants to win converts by fear?

Yes, yes; "make it seven."

But what avail your soft words? The distance is all the same for your lying; and when the deceived one finds it to be so, he will pour no blessings upon your heads.

May the Lord save us from the doom of deceivers of souls! May we be watchmen who will be clear of the blood of all men! Be decided yourselves; and then, like men who themselves stand fast, you will be able to help others whose feet are slipping.

                                                                                                                                                      

Just something to think about.