Pleading the Spiritual 5th Amendment by Harry Osborne
(Reprinted from Watchman Magazine http://www.watchmanmag.com/)
Have you ever noticed how many people refused to answer the questions of Jesus? The chief priests and elders of the people in Matthew 21 refused to answer His question about the origin and authority behind John's baptism. Very few gave a straight answer.
Much the same thing happens today as many in religious circles refuse to give a straight answer to spiritual questions posed in our time. One of their tricks is to talk around a subject for a while, but when they are done, they have said nothing. If that does not work, the old "I'm not sure what I believe -- I'm still studying it" dodge will do the trick. Never mind the fact that some brethren may have been "studying" it for years without conclusion (compare 2 Timothy 3:7).
Yet another trick is to answer a question with the equivalent of pleading the Fifth Amendment, "No comment." In recent years, we have seen numerous officials questioned before Congress or a grand jury who have literally pleaded the Fifth Amendment, which is a constitutional provision to protect one from being compelled to give testimony resulting in self-incrimination. Why would an honorable, law-abiding person try to shun an answer and keep a matter shrouded in silence? Why would one not want it to be known where he stands on a question or what action he has taken? The most basic reason is the fear of opposition, whether political or legal. The safe road to avoid taking a stand is to stay quiet or issue a disclaimer to signal neutrality. Is it not sad when we see the tactics of political cover-up used in spiritual matters?
In Bible times, some refused to take a stand for God and His truth. They were condemned for such cowardice. People of courage, daring to stand against the views of those in places of power, were approved by God.
Case of John 9
In John 9, Jesus gave sight to a man who had been born blind.
When the Pharisees who opposed Jesus asked the man who had made
him to see, the man answered unashamedly even over the objections
of the powerful Pharisees. However, the man's parents did not
exhibit such courage. The Pharisees asked them how their son received
his sight. The parents responded, "By what means he now sees
we do not know, or who opened his eyes we do not know. He is of
age; ask him. He will speak for himself" (John 9:21). This
answer was a dodge. They knew how he was made to see, but they
were afraid to tell the Pharisees for fear of what they might
do in retaliation. The next verses make that clear:
His parents said these things because they feared the Jews,
for the Jews had agreed already that if anyone confessed that
He was Christ, he would be put out of the synagogue. Therefore
his parents said, "He is of age; ask him" (John
9:22-23).
They were cowards who issued their disclaimer to protect themselves from the Pharisees instead of standing for the truth regardless of the cost. The level of their cowardice is seen more clearly in their failure to stand in defense of the one who had acted with such grace in healing their son.
Case of John 12
In John 12, we see another case of the same thing involving those
who were in places of power, but did not want to lose their position
by confessing Christ. Notice how the Bible describes these people:
Nevertheless even among the rulers many believed in Him, but because
of the Pharisees they did not confess Him, lest they should be
put out of the synagogue; for they loved the praise of men more
than the praise of God (John 12:42-43).
Think about the influence for good these leaders could have had if only they had the courage to stand up for truth. What a shame it was that such people loved the praise of men more than the praise of God! It is a sad fact that some still do.
Case of Elijah's Time
Elijah was a man who stood in opposition to the wicked ways of
King Ahab and his wife, Jezebel. Ahab and Jezebel had introduced
the idolatry of Baal to Israel with all of its associated evils.
Elijah stood against that system and urged others to oppose it
as well. When Ahab came face to face with Elijah, the king's first
words were these: "Is that you, O troubler of Israel?"
(1 Kings 18:17). Elijah replied, "I have not troubled Israel,
but you and your father's house have, in that you have forsaken
the commandments of the Lord, and you have followed Baal"
(1 Kings 18:18).
When all of the people were gathered, they had a clear choice.
Who would they believe and follow? Their king who had the power
over them or Elijah who spoke an unpopular message of truth in
opposition to the king? The Bible records the occasion in these
words:
And Elijah came to all the people, and said, "How long
will you falter between two opinions? If the Lord is God, follow
Him; but if Baal, then follow him." But the people answered
him not a word (1 Kings 18:21).
It was a Fifth Amendment crowd who feared the king more than they loved the truth. However, the prophet stood with boldness that day and God gave victory to His truth through Elijah.
Conclusion
Our society has witnessed unquestionable ungodliness on display
in every realm from places of political power to family relationships
-- from corporate settings to religious cirrcles. Yet, we have
chosen a tolerant acquiescence over a bold stand for right. It
seems the voters in this country are ready to sacrifice a stand
for honor as long as peace and prosperity prevail. Such is to
be expected as characteristic of the world (1 John 2:15-17). However,
it is very distressing to see many among God's people doing the
same thing in principle.
In recent years, we have witnessed an ever growing litany of teachers of false doctrines to be received, errors to overlook as "no big deal" and sins to tolerate within our fellowship. Instead of boldly urging a stand for Bible truth, many elders in large congregations and preachers with heavy meeting schedules have taken the spiritual Fifth Amendment approach. Too many members have been more anxious to have numerical growth even at the sacrifice of truth. Unity-in-diversity has become the rallying cry of those willing to practice a growing tolerance, except towards those seeking unity on the basis of Bible truth. It is now clear that open division looms ever nearer the horizon and each of us will soon face the decision of standing with a minority for truth or gathering with the masses who ignore pleas for open study in favor of silent tolerance of evil.
If we are to serve God acceptably, we must realize our responsibility to stand for God and His truth regardless of the cost. At times, it will cost us ridicule, opposition and even denunciation. But we must remember that it is the ultimate praise of God that we seek, not the temporary popularity of this world.
"He Had a Different Spirit" by Mark McCrary
(MNTMCCRARY@YAHOO.COM)
"My servant Caleb...has a different spirit in him...and has followed Me fully" (Num 14:24).
Most people today don't really want to be that different. Even nonconformists conform to something or someone! Yet, we as Christians are encouraged to be just thatching (Titus 2:14; 1 Peter. 2:9). Unusual! Strange even! Such an attitude is hard to accept and even harder to cultivate in our lives.
However, Caleb stands out to us as a role model of one who was different.
In Numbers 13, the Israelites refused to go up into the land of Canaan because of the testimony of ten of the 12 spies. Caleb and Joshua stood with the Lord. Think of the peer pressure to cave and go along with the crowd! God said this about Caleb, "But My servant Caleb, because he has a different spirit in him and has followed Me fully, I will bring into the land where he went, and his descendants shall inherit it" (Num 14:24). Now, just how was he different?
First, he had different goals. The goal of the Jews was to get a land by serving God. The goal of Caleb was to serve God, and in doing so inherit the land of Canaan. There is a big difference between the two! What are your goals in life? To have a good life and make a lot of money? Is God simply a nice philosophy you follow to get that? Then you are no different than the Jews. For those with a spirit like Caleb, serving God is the goal.
Second, he had a different perspective. Both Caleb and the ten spies saw the same things in Canaan, yet they saw them from different perspectives. The Jews looked only to themselves and realized they could not overcome the enemy. Caleb, on the other hand, looked to God and realized God could overcome any enemy regardless of how overwhelming it appeared. What is my perspective on things? How about when my health isn't great? When my love life isn't what I want it to be? Those with a different spirit trust in God.
Third, Caleb's actions were different. The action of the Israelites was one of unbelief; the action of Caleb was one of faith. As Christians, people are to look at us and see people who act differently. Consider 1 Peter 4:3-4. People are supposed to think we are strange because we are different. We talk differently; we dress differently; the way we treat others is supposed to be different. Our different spirit is shown in our behavior.
You see, because Caleb was different, God blessed him when those just like everyone else were punished. What of us if we are wise enough to embrace a different spirit in our lives today? We'll be blessed with a home in heaven while others are punished (2 Thessalonians 1:7-10).
While it isn't always fun to be different, Caleb reminds us it is always worth it in the long run.
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