October 1, 2017 
Everybody is going to be saved–and nobody is going to be lost!
(J.C. Ryle, 1884)
One great danger of the church today, consists in the rise and progress of a spirit of indifference to all doctrines and opinions in religion. A wave of latitudinarianism about theology, appears to be passing over the land. The minds of many seem utterly incapable of discerning any difference between . . .
one belief–and another belief,
one creed–and another creed,
one tenet–and another tenet,
one opinion–and another opinion,
one thought–and another thought,
however diverse and mutually contrary they may be!
Everything is true–and nothing is false.
Everything is right–and nothing is wrong.
Everything is good–and nothing is bad–if only it comes to us under the garb and name of religion. Most think that it is kind and liberal, to maintain that we have no right to think that anyone is wrong, who is in earnest about his creed.
We are not allowed to ask what is God’s truth–but what is liberal, and generous, and charitable.
Most professing Christians make cleverness and earnestness the only tests of orthodoxy in religion. Thousands nowadays seem utterly unable to distinguish things that differ. If a preacher is only clever and eloquent and earnest–they think that he is all right, however strange and heterodox his sermons may be.
Popery–or Protestantism,
an atonement–or no atonement,
a personal Holy Spirit–or no Holy Spirit,
future punishment–or no future punishment
–they swallow all! Carried away by an imagined liberality and charity, they seem to regard doctrine as a matter of no importance, and to think that everybody is going to be saved–and nobody is going to be lost! They dislike distinctness, and think that all decided views are very wrong!
These people live in a kind of mist or fog! They see nothing clearly, and do not know what they believe. They have not made up their minds about any great point in the Gospel, and seem content to be honorary members of all schools of thought. For their lives–they could not tell you what they think is truth about . . .
forgiveness of sins,
or justification,
or regeneration,
or sanctification,
or saving faith,
or conversion,
or inspiration,
or the future state.
They are eaten up with a morbid dread of doctrine. And so they live on undecided, and too often undecided they drift down to the grave, on the broad way which leads to eternal destruction.
They are content to shovel aside all disputed points as rubbish, and will tell you, “I do not pretend to understand doctrine. I dare say that it is all the same in the long run.” They are for a general policy of universal toleration and forbearance of every doctrine. Every school of false teaching, however extreme, is to be tolerated. They desire the Church to be a kind of Noah’s Ark, within which every kind of opinion and creed shall dwell safely and undisturbed, and the only terms of admittance are a willingness to come inside, and let your neighbor alone. Nothing is too absurd to concede and allow into the church, in the present mania for complete freedom of thought, and absolute liberty of opinion.
The explanation of this boneless, nerveless condition of soul, is perhaps not difficult to find. The heart of man is naturally in the dark about religion–has no intuitive sense of truth–and really needs divine instruction and illumination. Besides this, the natural heart in most men hates exertion in religion. Above all, the natural heart generally likes the praise of others, shrinks from collision, and loves to be thought charitable and liberal. The whole result is that a kind of broad religious anythingism just suits an immense number of professors.
Ignorance, I am compelled to say, is one of the grand dangers of professors of religion in the present day.
Who does not know that such people swarm and abound everywhere? And who does not know that anyone who denounces this state of things, and insists that we should be loyal to Scripture truth–is regarded as a narrow, bigoted, intolerant person, quite unsuited to our times?
When there is no creed or standard of doctrine, there can be no church, but a Babel. Let me venture to advise all true Christians to never to be ashamed of holding Evangelical views. Those views, I am quite aware, are not fashionable nowadays. They are ridiculed as old-fashioned, narrow, defective, and out of date–and those who hold them, are regarded as illiberal, impracticable old fossils!
What the final result of the present state of things will be, I do not pretend to predict.
“Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage–with great patience and careful instruction. For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths!” 2 Timothy 4:2-4
iChristian 
Great post. I agree with you. Indeed it’s sad to say every opinion counts today except when one brings up Christ into the equation. Then we’re called this or that for standing on God’s word and not man’s. Yet, the world as it stands is crumbling with opinions that don’t hold water to the truth. Begs the question, does anyone know truth? For everything, every facet of life is manipulated, twisted, programmed in such a way to fit an agenda that omits God.
However, God is still very much in control and true Christians need to stay in the straight and narrow road that leads to eternity with Christ. I wonder if this is what bothers the masses..?.. they can’t make it to heaven by themselves. Truth will always be truth, but a lie always come out in the open. It cannot be hidden for long, as Scriptures’ tells us. Let your person show your loyalty in the way you conduct your life. God bless.
It’s like this was written today and over 140 years ago! Thanks for sharing this, Steve. I pray it lands on ears that need to hear it.
Hi Heather! Yes it really struck me as though it was written today. Sin never changes, lol.
God bless you. 😎
I know a lot of people who believe strongly in their view of the Bible or parts of the Bible. When you have a conversation with them and finally ask, well what about this part, or that part, they make an excuse about how their view MUST be the correct one. I respect others’ views, but the Bible states what it states. I fear for their souls, and I’m saddened when they have become so hard-hearted that they refuse any other view but the incorrect view they have set up as truth. We just don’t have such an option. It’s now OUR word friends, it’s God’s. Wonderful post Steve, I’m so grateful for you.
Amen Debbie! My heart breaks too!
The Gospel Truth is Supernatural and is the Power of God to Salvation. So how can i(or anyone) be so prideful to think that i can change the Truth of Gods word to help me feel more loving to the people i talk too. You nailed it when you said “It’s not OUR word friends, it’s God’s”.
Thanks once again for your great comment and your loving words! God bless you. 😎
Thank you, Steve, for this great reminder! Old but true. Blessings to you, dear brother!
Lovely to see you again Heidi!
God bless you. 😎
What you say is true – the beliefs are not fashionable and have been watered down until they are barely recognizable.
Amen Colline! The Gospel Truth will never be popular and please the masses….It never has. It’s not for us to change the message….Just share it! 😎
God bless you.
Love your posts Steve, thank you. One sentence stuck out:
“Let me venture to advise all true Christians to never to be ashamed of holding Evangelical views.”
I wonder sometimes what is more important. Being found to be NOT a “true Christian” (as judged by “true Christian” men and women), or loving (as the “greatest of these” invites).
Hey Paul! Great to see you here again…..And thanks for the great comment.
That sentence stood out to me too, “Evangelical views” has almost no definition these days as it’s been so abused for selfish purposes it lacks most of it’s true meaning.
When we share God’s Gospel Truth It is vital to keep “Truth in Love” and never leave one without the other…..I think we all know(and are seeing) the destruction when not applied together.