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Larry Ray Hafley
"An appalling and horrible thing has happened in the land: The prophets
prophesy falsely, and the priests rule on their own authority; and my people
love to have it so" (Jer. 5:30, 31).
Unfortunately, this was not the last time that the Lord's people loved error
more than truth. It has happened in these "last days," too (2 Tim. 3:1-5; 4:3,
4). We are not shocked or surprised when ungodly men love fables more than the
faith, but we often are stunned to learn that the people of God also "love to
have it so."
Note that men do not cease to preach; they do not quit serving and ruling.
No, they continue to teach religious principles and to offer sacrifices. This is
part of the deceit. None have become atheists; none have said they are rejecting
God. On the contrary, they present a form of godliness. They assure us of their
honesty and integrity in things divine. However, their words are not from God.
Their works and worship are based upon human authority. They mix the holy with
the human, the faith with fables, the sacred with the secular. Their amalgamated
religion appeals to the flesh. Its allurement is that it melds and welds the
spiritual and the sensual, allowing men to "have it both ways."
This spirit is the essence of all human religion. It permeates the traditions
of Catholicism and dominates the additions of denominationalism. That does not
come as a revelation to children of God, but that such a spirit should
infiltrate and penetrate the kingdom of God is indeed "an appalling and horrible
thing." It is made worse when "my people love to have it so."
Is it so among us? Are we feeding on the word of God, being led and fed by
it? Are we worshipping "in spirit and in truth," serving God "acceptably with
reverence and godly fear" (Jn. 4:24; Heb. 12:28)?
Or, are we flirting with a gospel of convenience, one that winks at
"borderline" sins and excuses "slight" departures and changes in our service to
God? Do we demand that preaching be conformed to our life style, rather than
conforming our lives to the truth? Do we chafe and develop a rash on our hearts
when purity and holiness demanded by the word of God contradicts our manner of
life? Are we offended by calls for modesty in our attitudes and actions and in
our dress and demeanor before the watching world?
Do preachers blunt and dull the edge of the Spirit's sword? Do elders "back
off" from directly and decisively confronting error? Do preachers and pastors
seek peace at the expense of purity? Do they seek harmony at the expense of
holiness? If they do, do we tolerate and condone it? If so, "an appalling and
horrible thing has happened," and we cannot escape the judgment of God!
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