Truth Never Excuses Sin

But I have a few things against you:

you have some there who hold the teaching of Balaam

~ Revelation 2:14

I had the privilege of teaching God's precious Word to the saints at Meadow Ridge Bible Chapel this evening. We learned about the teaching of Balaam.

I appreciated G. Campbell Morgan's insights into this particular passage of scripture and thought I'd pass along his conclusion.

The central lesson of the study [on the church at Pergamum] is a very solemn one. The church of Jesus Christ must not tolerate within her borders those who lower the standard of truth's requirements. This is not a question of holding the truth. The church at Pergamum was orthodox. It is a question of the right application of truth.

The error of theses men is one that in subtle form, threatens all churches even until this hour. It is that if a man's creed be right, his conduct does not so much matter.

Truth never excuses sin. All forms of sin are to be treated with ruthless and pitiless severity, and if a man holding any form of teaching, should attempt to excuse sin, he is to be excluded from the fellowship of the saints.

The test of doctrine is purity of conduct and character.

The seal of the Master has two sides, on each an inscription. On the one side the words are graven, "The Lord knoweth them that are His." on the other side these other words. "Let him that nameth the name of the Lord depart from iniquity." Any attempt to efface this second side of the seal is blasphemy, an error to be banished with exclusion from the fellowship of the Church. God's order is the order of peace, but it is always peace based upon purity, for the wisdom that is from above is first pure and then peaceable.