Inconsistencies.
No one likes to be called inconsistent, and the charge, when made, is generally denied, but we think that many inconsistencies, even in christians, can be so plainly pointed out that none dare claim that they are entirely free from them. It is difficult to divest ourselves of the disposition to think too highly of ourselves, and too meanly of others, especially of those who oppose our views. We are too blind to our own inconsistencies and too ready to magnify the inconsistencies of others. This spirit of self-superiority tinctures most controversial writings, and brings home to each disputant the charge of ignorance and bigotry which he is ready to fix upon his opponent.If we possess a clear, consistent, and comprehensive judgment of the fundamental truths of the Bible, we should still remember the apostle's observation, "If any man think that he knoweth anything, he knoweth nothing yet as he ought to know." Even if we are sure we are right in our views, a proper modesty is very becoming. We should remember that "vinegar never catches flies." Besides we ought to be willing to concede to others the same right to think and believe for themselves that we claim for ourselves.
Looking into some of the inconsistencies of our own lives will aid us, perhaps, to think less highly of ourselves, and to look upon others with a greater degree of forbearance. We now propose to point out some inconsistencies in the lives of professors of the religion of Jesus Christ, showing how little influence their real knowledge has upon their conduct. While a few of these inconsistencies do not apply to all of us in general, we will be quite ready to admit that most of them do.
1. A is a member of the church. He professes, of course, to believe the teaching of the Bible, and to desire to follow the instructions of Christ and the apostles. Christ says, "Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you." Matt. vi. 33. Again, it is said, "Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering, fo rhe is faithful that promised; and let us consider one another, to provoke unto love and to good works: not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more as ye see the day approaching." - Heb. x. 23-25. A knows all this, and has a proper understanding of it. He knows that to seek first the kingdom of God means to regard the church and the duties he owes to it first in importance, to hold these things above everything else. But he is a very industrious (?) man. He goes to church on Saturday if he has time. Often when he knows his brethren are assembled for the worship of God his business calls him to town, or his work keeps him at home. He is frequently seen at his church on Sunday, and is always seen where a big crowd is expected, as an Association of Yearly Meeting, and he doesn't seem to be ashamed of his conduct! He is a strong Baptist, however, and is ready to contend for the "doctrine" when it is attacked. Poor fellow! He ought to look into the mirror.
2. B, who is also a church member, knows that the Bible says, "Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men. If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men. Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath; for it is written, Vengeance is mind; I will repay, saith the Lord. Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head. Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good." Romans xii. 17-21. Now B has read this and knows what it means, but he is frequently known to be in trouble with his neighbors, and especially with those who have dealings with him. He seeks to escape through the condition attached to living peaceably with all men; that is, "If it be possible." But the requirement, "As much as in you lieth," nails him fast. The fact is, it lies in him to do better than he does, and he knows it. He seeks to take every possible, honorable (?) advantage in business transactions, and thus fails to provide things honest in the sight of all men. (Space is too valuable to speak of those who don't try to pay their debts.) B would rather see his enemy starve than feed him. It is a great pity for him that his neighbors think so little of him, but it is a much greater pity for the church that is burdened with his membership.
3. C does but little if anything to assist in the support of his pastor and the poor of his church, though he knows the Bible requires this of him. (Excuse us for referring to this.)
4. D not only occasionally takes his "dram" (for which there is no excuse), but he occasionally "takes on" too much. We shall not enlarge on this. We are too sad to write when we think of how little some church members (Baptists even) think of their profession.
We will not particularize any farther. These special cases might be continued to the extent of the alphabet. We now propose to show some inconsistencies that apply in general. May the investigation tend to humble us in the sight of God and our fellow beings, and cause us more earnestly to seek the Lord in prayer, and watch as well as pray.
5. We all believe in the omnipresence of God. We know there is not a spot where he is not. We profess to fear and serve him. Yet we do things that we would shudder to have our fellow beings to know! How careful we are to speak politely and kindly in our families when a visitor is present! Do we do this when we know no other ears will hear us? Look at the great difference between our secret walk and our public career. Some of our readers may think this is self-condemning. Be it so! We bury our mouth in the dust of humility and cry, Guilty! We find ourselves hiding under the excuse that others are as bad as we are in this respect. We seek another subterfuge in the thought that such is human nature, and that we just cannot be perfect here. But all this dodging and hiding does not clear up the inconsistency. Many claim to be openly just what they are in private in every respect, but alas! what are the facts in the case?
Is it not strange that persons, who have taken from God's holy word their ideas of his divine majesty, holiness and purity, and feel their obligations to regulate their lives by his precepts, will allow themselves to be betrayed into improprieties of behavior, from which the presence of a fellow-worm would have restrained them?
6. Even when we are engaged in prayer, our thoughts wander, like the fool's eye, to foolish things. The knowledge that God's eye is upon us has such little power to control us! We are not ignorant of what frame of mind becomes such poor, guilty beings as we are, in approaching into the presence of that great Being. Why, angels are represented as veiling their faces before him, and yet we allow our thoughts to be diverted from him to the merest trifles even when we are pretending to approach him, and, not realizing that presence with which we believe ourselves to be surrounded, we speak as if speaking to the air. Even if our inability to control our thoughts and regulate our actions under all circumstances be admitted, still the inconsistency remains, the thought of which ought to cause us to bow in shameful acknowledgement of the depravity of our nature.
7. We are often harrassed with importunate though groundless fears, though we believe that God is always present. He says, "Fear not, I am with thee." He promises to be a shield and guard to those who trust him. Yet, though we believe his word, we seldom think ourselves safe a moment longer than danger is hidden from our view. We tell others to trust him, and admit that we dare trust no other, yet we find ourselves often distrustful and complaining. We believe that
"He plants his footsteps in the sea,
And rides upon the storm,"
yet the raging of the sea and roaring of the storm fill our hearts
with terror. We may not be able to avoid the terror, still a
thought of the inconsistency ought to impress our minds with a deep
sense of our weakness, helplessness and dependence.
8. We believe the doctrine of God's sovereignty. In our debates with Arminians we zealously contend for this scriptural doctrine, and wonder that any should be so ignorant of God's word and so blind to reason as to dispute the Creator's right to have mercy on whom he will have mercy, and thus deal with his creatures according to his own independent will. But are not many of us as little influenced by this doctrine practically as those who oppose it are?
9. We believe the Lord's appointments to be not only sovereign but wise and gracious. He chooses for his people better than they could choose for themselves. These truths furnish us with ample grounds to offer suggestions of consolation to others under trials and afflictions. We can refer them to Job, Joseph, and David, and show them these examples of God's wise and gracious dealings with his people, and prove to a demonstration that all things must necessarily work for good to those that love him. But when we are in the deep ourselves it is quite different. Unless we are supported and consoled by a special illumination of the Holy Spirit, we are as apt to fret and complain as if no promise of our support had been given and we knew that our tribulations were without a purpose. With these inconsistencies interwoven in the fabric of our character as christians, is it not strange that we should ever think highly of ourselves?
J. R. D.
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