Over the last few weeks, we have be considering the tendency to stay “on the safe side” when it comes to difficult decisions we have to make. For inconsequential matters or choices that pertain only to this life, it may be fine or even wise to do this. However, as we have seen, in the realm of spiritual matters and our responsibilities before the Lord, staying “on the safe side” is dangerous, and “erring on the side of caution” can lead to error and sin.
When it comes to spiritual matters and God-given responsibilities, we run into problems when we make decisions based upon what is most convenient, comfortable, or easy rather than what is right. To recap, the areas we have considered in the series are:
- Avoiding controversy – Taking a stand for the truth when it is unpopular requires decisiveness. We need to be diligent in our studies to know and be able to articulate the difference between truth and error. We also make ourselves a target when we stand up for what is right. So to be “safe,” we remain silent.
- Expanding fellowship – When brethren refuse to repent of practicing sin or teaching error, the problem needs to be confronted. Yet this is not easy to do. We want to maintain our relationship with them as if nothing was wrong. We may also want others to admire us for our “tolerance.” So it seems “safe” to keep the peace and ignore the sin or error.
- Adding rules – When the word of God defines a certain practice as sin, it may seem wise to us to make additional rules in order to keep further away from the line that God has drawn. While this may be fine to do on a personal level, we put ourselves in the place of God when we attempt to impose these rules upon others. Yet we often insist that to be “safe,” others should follow the rules we have invented in addition to the instructions that God has revealed.
- Avoiding persecution – It is not pleasant to endure persecution in any form. We have a natural desire for self-preservation. We do not want to lose what we have gained in this life. We may even convince ourselves that we will be bold “later.” So in order to keep ourselves and our families “safe” (physically), we will do anything we can – even compromise our faith – to avoid persecution.
Instead of basing our decisions primarily on what is “safe,” we need to first determine what is right. The wise man described wisdom’s invitation: “But he who listens to me shall live securely and will be at ease from the dread of evil” (Proverbs 1:33). True safety comes by following the will of God.
At the end of the book of Revelation, the Lord said, “Blessed are those who do His commandments, that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter through the gates into the city” (Revelation 22:14, NKJV). The eternal safety that can be found with the Lord in heaven is for “those who do His commandments.”
We may suffer consequences and face dangers in this life for trying to be faithful to the Lord, but those are just “momentary, light affliction” (2 Corinthians 4:17) compared with the reward that awaits us. Let us not value any temporary safety over eternal security. Instead, let us be committed to faithfully following the Lord no matter what the cost.
