---

Forget The Consequences

by Patrick T. Donahue

---

Since the Bible is our standard, the truth is what the Bible actually says. Unfortunately, in determining the truth on different issues, many let the consequences of their possible decisions dictate what their decision is going to be.

A classic example of this occurring is found in Mt 21:23-27, which reads "And when he was come into the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people came unto him as he was teaching, and said, By what authority doest thou these things? and who gave thee this authority? And Jesus answered and said unto them, I also will ask you one thing, which if ye tell me, I in like wise will tell you by what authority I do these things. The baptism of John, whence was it? from heaven, or of men? And they reasoned with themselves, saying, If we shall say, From heaven; he will say unto us, Why did ye not then believe him? But if we shall say, Of men; we fear the people; for all hold John as a prophet. And they answered Jesus, and said, We cannot tell. And he said unto them, Neither tell I you by what authority I do these things." Notice that when Jesus asked the chief priests and elders of the people from whence did the baptism of John come, they couldn't answer, not because they couldn't make a correct judgment based upon the evidence, but because the consequences of deciding for either choice would be unpleasant. They were letting the answer to the issue before them be determined, not by the facts, but by the consequences of the possible answers to the issue.

Many do the same today. Most of "Christendom" cannot see the plain fact from Mk 16:16 and other passages that baptism is necessary to salvation. A good number of these cannot see the obvious because of how many people would be wrong, past and present, if the Bible did teach that baptism is essential.

How many times has the reader pointed out to a non-Christian that sin condemns even a Christian (that "once saved, always saved" is not true), only to have them respond with, "but that would leave a Christian with no assurance," or "then nobody will be saved because we can't help sinning"? These are supposed consequences of the doctrine that a Christian can lose his salvation, that cause many to reject what Gal 5:4 and many other passages plainly say.

I Cor 6 teaches that we must not sue another Christian, even an unfaithful Christian, otherwise there would be no possiblity of having to take wrong (v.7). Many can't accept this, and sometimes it seems that the reason that they can't accept it is not because of what the text does or does not say, but because of the possibility of being out a good bit of money. Notice that Acts 19:19 describes some Christians burning some books which were contrary to the Lord, which according to the passage cost a good bit of money.

Some Christians will not practice the teaching of I Cor 5 and other passages on withdrawal because that would mean they would have to cease having social contact and eating with (v.9) their relatives and close friends. Yes indeed we might have to withdraw from someone close to us, but after all, who is going to have the most effect on a fallen Christian by withdrawing from them, one who is close to that Christian, or one who just barely knew them?

The Bible teaches that divorce is wrong in Mt 5:32. Marriage is for life. Some won't accept what this verse actually says, because that would mean that a person might have to live with someone who has a "mean and viscious spirit" as one writer put it. None of the marriage and divorce issues should be decided base upon consequences. We must accept the truth on the matter regardless of how unpleasant we deem the consequences of that position. The answers to the marriage and divorce questions are contained in the text of the passages that bear on the issue, and not in any of our own reasoning on how hard that answer might make it for someone.

Remember Jn 12:42-43 where many of the chief rulers believed on Christ, but would not confess him because of the Pharisees (the consequences)? We must not let the consequences of a position play a part in our decision on a Biblical issue. If the text of the Bible teaches it, we must accept it no matter what we think the consequences are. The Bible is our standard, and living by that standard could possibly leave us facing some unpleasant consequences. But isn't that the real test of whether or not we are actually serving God, or just doing what we would want to do anyway? We need to accept what the text actually says, and let the chips fall where they may.

Patrick T. Donahue
4607 Old Railroad Bed Road
Harvest, AL 35749
(205) 721-0726

(EDITOR'S NOTE: THANKS to Pat for the informative article. If you have questions about any of Pat's teaching and would like to study with him further, please contact him at: PatDonahue@bellsouth.net )