Truth is not protected by fences. Reacting against heretical theology to safeguard against false teaching only complicates the situation. This reaction actually creates more error than it eradicates. Truth will only triumph through proclamation. One preacher submitted wholly and irrevocably to the Scriptures will do more to counteract heresy than all of the devices man can fabricate. We must preach what we find in the way we find it.
With this in view, I have been thinking over some passages that set forth question-demanding truths. It seems certain truths should be so radical that, when taught correctly, our teaching could possibly lead to misunderstanding. Let me give a few examples to show what I mean:
We should preach a salvation so humanly impossible, people wonder if anyone could be converted.
Matthew 19:25-26 "Then who can be saved?"
We should preach justification by faith alone so apart from works, people should wonder if we are antinomian.
Romans 5:20-6:2 Are we to continue in sin so that grace may increase?
Romans 9:10-16 What shall we say then? There is no injustice with God, is there?
I purposely left the contextual verses in these passages, and I think we should do the same in our teaching/counsel. For instance, though salvation is humanly impossible, with God all things (including salvation) are possible. In the same vein, though justification is by faith alone apart from the works of the Law, the true believer will not continue in sin because he has died to sin (regeneration). I am not advocating we isolate truths nor make "shock statements" that compromise context. Nevertheless, if our theology is never misunderstood or questioned, we have most certainly lost the pure truth of Scripture. Therefore, we must proclaim truth – the whole truth – unabashedly and without partiality. In doing so we will advance the glory of God and people will be helped.
