Treasured Truth Or Trampled Truth

Treasured Truth Or Trampled Truth“Ye have not kept my ways, but have been partial in the law.” Malachi 2:9
“Doing nothing by partiality.” 1 Timothy 5:21 We live in a world of specialization, in nearly every aspect of life. In a natural sense, not all specialization is bad; there have been numerous technological breakthroughs that have benefited man in general. Similarly, throughout the history of the Church, we have seen a tendency toward “doctrinal specialization,” but sadly this has led to countless heresies and sects. Some champion God’s sovereignty, others rally to baptism, the covenants, dispensationalism, evangelism, or the use of Pentecostal gifts. Still others have “circled their wagons” around the biblical prescription of how local churches should gather and govern themselves. However, none of these doctrines are, by themselves, the truth. Each is merely a truth. No particular doctrine should be continually elevated above all other Christian truth. Truth favored by men becomes truth flavored by men. The truth as it is “in Jesus” (Eph. 4:21) embodies all New Testament teaching concerning a wide range of subjects, as well as the instruction found in the Old Testament (Rom. 15:4). As members of the body of Christ we need a balanced diet of truth rightly divided (2 Tim 2:15) if we are to grow and mature as intelligent, reasonable and balanced believers. As Head of His body, Our Lord Jesus Christ will provide the truth we need, as we need it, by His Spirit and Word, through His gifted people (Eph. 4:11-13). “Doth not nature itself teach you?” (1 Cor. 11:14) is a good question. A wise shepherd will regularly move the sheep to different parts of the pasture. This keeps both the sheep and the pasture vigorous and healthy. A foolish or lazy shepherd may confine the flock to a small part of the available food. Under these boring and unhealthy conditions, it is not long before he has poor sheep and poor pasture. The sheep will eventually overgraze that portion leaving the foliage and the flock in a weakened condition, vulnerable to weeds and wolves. Likewise, as Christian “sheep” we need a variety of sound teaching from the wonderfully varied menu of Scripture, to keep us growing, to keep us fresh and to keep the truth refreshing. Elders, teachers and pastors that hover and harangue too long over a truth, will soon find they have trampled truth instead of treasured truth, and selfish sheep instead of selfless sheep. Such doctrinal “overgrazing” can leave God’s blood-bought flock malnourished in a spiritual dustbowl with little to do but chew on each other. It is precious to ponder a
truth, and it is profitable to use a truth, but it is perilous to abuse a truth. The apostle Paul had not “shunned to declare ... the whole counsel of God” (Acts 20:27). His ministry provided a divinely wise mix of teaching regarding, among other things, salvation from God, sanctification by God, separation to God, the functioning of the Church of God, its heavenly calling, and its imminent rapture. The Holy Spirit is given freely to all who believe the gospel of Christ, to guide us into all truth, not just a truth, that we may live humbly and happily for Christ in our homes, local churches, communities, nations and the world. Remember, Bezaleel and Aholiab were skillful in “all manner of workmanship” to make all the furniture of the tabernacle (Ex. 31). Likewise today, we Christians need all the teaching given by God through His Spirit to those gifted and enabled by the ascended Christ. Those that set a truth apart, have truth in part, and from the truth depart.By T. M. Clement, Jr.