Defending the Gospel: Disdained or Admired?
by Harry Osborne
November 30, 2008

Long ago, the inspired apostle proclaimed his steadfast resolve to stand with the truth of God: "I am set for the defense of the gospel" (Phil. 1:17, v.16 in ASV). The culture around us disdains those who defend Bible truth as an absolute. They teach, as fundamental, the tenets of relativism. They assure us with absolute certainty that we cannot know anything for certain. To assert that the principles and actions of another are wrong is to commit the cardinal sin of our age: intolerance. In public schools, children have been taught that "diversity" should be celebrated. The acceptance of "diversity" was, at first, limited to accepting those of diverse races and economic backgrounds. If it had stayed at that point, all of us could have said "Amen" to that scriptural concept (Acts 10:34-35; Rom. 2:7-11; Jas. 2:1-9). However, the proponents of accepting "diversity" went on to include adultery, homosexuality, use of intoxicants, false religion, atheism and various sinful actions in the category of "diversity" to be accepted and celebrated. It is at this point that the child of God must see the shift in definition and oppose any movement to accept sinful principles and actions. God has always demanded His people to hate, reject and oppose every evil way (Psa. 119:128; Rom. 16:17; 1 Cor. 5:11; Eph. 5:6-12; 2 Jn. 9-11).

We should expect the sin-loving world to justify its evil action and silence the opponents thereof (Jn. 3:19-20; 7:1, 7; 15:18-21). Isaiah pronounced, "Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness" (Isa. 5:18-23 cf. Ezek.15:22-23). The wisdom writer noted God's condemnation of those justifying evil and tolerating its continuance (Prov. 17:15; 18:15; 24:24). But Solomon affirmed the response characteristic of the one set for the defense of truth:
They that forsake the law praise the wicked; but such as keep the law contend with them (Prov. 28:4).

It is a sad day in spiritual Israel that has brought all too many brethren to the point of praising the wicked, justifying their acceptance, quelling their tongues from the mandatory rebuke of evil, and, instead, pronouncing condemnation on those who contend with the wicked as charged by God. The contender with wickedness is now labeled a "watchdog," a "troublemaker," "unmerciful," "unloving" or a "Pharisee." From pulpits to dining room tables, a growing cry is being heard for less preaching on doctrinal error and sinful practices, while replacing such with shallow messages of supposed “devotional” content, void of the doctrinal substance that undergirds true devotion to God and His will. The destructiveness has increased as some, who first opposed the broader fellowship movement, abandoned their militant stand for truth and sought compromise by “building bridges” with those in error – a quest driven by a desire for numbers, not truth. It has descended to the abyss as some have replaced efforts to defend revealed truth with an obsession on upholding their pet hobbies and opinions.

Brethren, it is past time that we realize there is no violation of love and mercy in preaching the truth! Instead, we must see that the Bible recognizes no legitimate love and mercy that transgresses truth rather than defending it (1 Jn. 5:2-3; 2:15-17; 2 Jn. 4-11; Rom. 12:1-2; 1 Pet. 2:9-11; Jude 17-21; 2 Cor. 4:1-2). God's people are protected against the assaults of the devil and his forces only to the degree that we cease not to continually warn of error and insist upon declaring the whole counsel of God (Acts 20:26-32).

The same gospel message that brought people to salvation and protected them therein was the focus of Paul's interest. He was even thankful for the persecution brought upon him because it ended in "the progress of the gospel" (Phil. 1:12). That focus on the gospel can be seen in the words used by the apostle as he spoke of his work and the Philippian brethren's part in it. Paul, the saints at Philippi, and Timothy all had "fellowship in the furtherance of the gospel" (Phil. 1:5; 2:22). Since Paul was faithfully declaring the truth of the gospel, the saints properly had fellowship with him in supporting him financially so that his work might continue (Phil. 1:3-7; 4:14-17). If Timothy was to take a stand for the truth, he also needed to stand with the one who was faithfully declaring the gospel (2 Tim. 1:8). If one is faithfully declaring the gospel in our time, the same fellowship is possible as we unite with the faithful teacher in holding to and declaring the same truth.

If one fails to faithfully uphold, declare and defend the truth of the gospel, how can a congregation of God's people or individual saints justify and support such action? The Bible clearly says it is contrary to the will of God (2 Jn. 9-11). Those participating in praise and support of the wicked ought to repent of this evil and to summon the courage necessary to contend with the wicked as commanded in God's word. When Paul defended the gospel in the presence of the saints at Philippi and they supported his work, they were all partakers with Paul of grace (Phil. 1:7). What "grace" is found in supporting and working with preachers of error? Are precious souls brought closer to our Lord by setting aside the sword of the Spirit and refusing to defend the blood-bought gospel in order to accept "doctrinal diversity" and adapt to the plea for "mercy" towards wickedness?

After Paul proclaimed that he was "set for the defense of the gospel," he made it plain that defending the gospel was a responsibility shared by every saint. He called upon the bishops, deacons and all saints addressed to "stand fast in one spirit, with one soul striving for the faith of the gospel; and in nothing affrighted by the adversaries" (Phil. 1:27-28). Peter confirmed that all Christians have the same responsibility to "give answer to every man that asketh you a reason concerning the hope that is in you, yet with meekness and fear" (1 Pet. 3:15). Thus, when we have meekness in submitting to God's will and a reverence for Him that causes us to submit, we will answer for our hope to every man -- including popular preachers, college professors, elders leading people to apostasy and those appealing to emotion rather than truth. The word "answer" from 1 Peter 3:15 and the word "defense" from Philippians 1:17 are both translated from the same Greek word, apologia, which refers to "a speech of defense" or a reply to uphold something in the face of conflict. The gospel was the object of both Peter and Paul's repeated defense though opposition to that truth arose through persecution, error and other adversaries. It was not merely the responsibility of apostles to meet this charge, but it is one given to faithful Christians today as the situation arises necessitating such. Dear brother or sister, if you find yourself shying away from the open, aggressive and constant defense of the truth, you are leaving the New Testament plea and surrendering to worldly compromise!

Some today argue that faithful brethren cannot emulate the examples of the apostles defending the truth against the assaults of error because we are not apostles. This argument is not only false, but it strikes at the very heart of how we establish authority. Those who accept this argument will be forced to make a "new hermeneutic" of their own as they have denied the fundamentals regarding the scriptural concept of establishing authority. If we cannot imitate the example of apostles in all approved action which is not unique to their place as apostles (i.e. inspired revelation of truth and the miraculous confirmation thereof), how can we claim that we believe in the binding nature of approved apostolic examples? If the argument is correct, we must believe the opposite! That is, if an apostle is involved in it, we cannot do it! In the quest for a positive gospel which tolerates doctrinal diversity and negates the need for the controversy inherent in defending the gospel, some among us are headed towards the well-worn path of apostasy – abandonment of basic principles to establish Bible authority.

Conclusion

All of the equipment necessary for us to fulfill the charge to defend the gospel has been provided by God. The equipment requires no redesigns to meet the modern age. It is as complete today as it was almost 2000 years ago when provided to the first century Christians. Paul spoke of it in these words:

Finally, be strong in the Lord, and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For our wrestling is not against flesh and blood, but against the principalities, against the powers, against the world-rulers of this darkness, against the spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Wherefore take up the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and, having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having girded your loins with truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; withal taking up the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the evil one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God (Eph. 6:10-17).

Those are instruments of battle. Had God wanted us to passively tolerate doctrinal diversity and sinful action, we would have no need for instruments of battle. However, when we are charged to defend the gospel, expose the defender of evil, and contend with the wicked, battle armor is needed. Warfare is never pleasant, but it is necessary. As long as we have the wicked and those who praise the wicked, there is a need for those who will contend with such (Prov. 28:4).

Jude described his purpose for writing in these words: "Beloved, while I was giving all diligence to write unto you of our common salvation, I was constrained to write unto you exhorting you to contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered unto the saints" (Jude 3). That charge clearly puts the responsibility of contending for the faith, or gospel, upon us as saints to whom it was delivered. We must not shirk, refuse or neglect that responsibility.

The gospel is under attack from without from relativism, Calvinism, Mormonism, materialism, Methodism, Catholicism, atheism, charismatic teaching, Baptist doctrine, immorality, and a host of other false ways. As Christians, we must be "set for the defense of the gospel" against all such foes. The preaching and pressing of truth is the means of protection God has given individual saints and the body collectively from the dreadful effects of these evils.

The gospel is also under attack from within as some have previously obeyed the gospel, but have begun to drift from it. Error is being taught regarding fellowship, divorce and remarriage, worldliness, creation, the church, identifying who is a Christian, the deity and humanity of Jesus, the A.D. 70 doctrine and a host of subjects. The only way we can be set for the defense of the gospel is to study the truth, preach it boldly, contend with those who promote error and constantly persist therein regardless of what happens to the numbers that accept or reject such. We cannot hide in a corner and wish the enemies of truth would cease their evil campaign. We cannot salve our conscience by mislabeling our silence as "love," "mercy," "exhortation" or weariness from "bad attitudes." If we fail to stand for truth and oppose the error, we will answer to God in judgment concerning our disregard for the gospel, lack of love and mercy for the erring, and the neglect of our own soul. May God help us to stand with courage and fight the good fight of faith as those set for the defense of the Gospel.

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