Some theologians, pastors and lay people in pews are fervently passionate about truth . . .  and rightly so.  Jesus said that He is the truth and so we cannot have Him utmost in our affections without a great obsession for truth.  However, in some saint’s zeal for truth they neglect people.  They love the truth more than their brothers and sisters in Christ.  In doing so, I believe, they betray the truth and twist it into a lie.

     This song is a rebuke to the pastors and their sheep that, in the name of truth, tear down other believers who have come to God by faith alone through Christ alone.  Such action is in contempt of the very heart of their master and their truth becomes hypocrisy. 

     What a tragedy.  The Word that brought them mercy becomes the very tool with which they withhold grace from others.

     “But Aaron, What about these denominations that are teaching wrong doctrine?”  I have two responses to this question (only in the context of non-essential doctrine).  First, be very careful how highly you regard your own understanding of doctrine.  Our theology is that finite grid into which we seek to understand and catalogue the nature and character of an infinite God and the world He made.  Our theology will never be entirely correct nor entirely complete this side of the grave.  We will never comprehend the complete picture of God.  We must approach theology with the highest regard for God’s Word and absolute humility of heart. 

     The second response to the question asked is… Yes, some people will have problems in their understanding of the Bible.  They may have been taught in honest error, or worse yet, manipulate God’s Word for their own ends.  Paul encountered some ministers like this.  Let’s look at his response. 

     “Some, to be sure, are preaching Christ even from envy and strife, but some also from good will; the latter {do it} out of love, knowing that I am appointed for the defense of the gospel;  the former proclaim Christ out of selfish ambition, rather than from pure motives, thinking to cause me distress in my imprisonment.  What then?  Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is proclaimed; and in this I rejoice, yes, and I will rejoice.”  Philippians 1:15-18 

     Did Paul subscribe to the teachings of those who had false motives in their preaching?  Of course not.  Neither did he seek to undermine that which was bearing fruit for the kingdom.

     1 Corinthians 13 warns us, if we have all knowledge and great ministry but lack in love then our knowledge and ministry amount to NOTHING.  Let us guard ourselves and one another from such a fate. 

John 17:20-23  “I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word; that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me.  And the glory which You gave Me I have given them, that they may be one just as We are one: I in them, and You in Me; that they may be made perfect in one, and that the world may know that You have sent Me, and have loved them as You have loved Me.”

Nothing

I’ve heard enough and I don’t believe                                                     

Truth is still truth without mercy                                                              

Pimped out God’s word for self-righteous lies                                            

Broken a brother without batting an eye

Turned beauty to ash, God’s Word to a stone

These are the shepherds who should’ve known

What a sight to behold what a thing to see

A fist beats its own face until it bleeds

And the world gathers round as the body falls

One fist still raised thinks its won it all

I’ve heard enough and I don’t believe

Truth is still truth without mercy

Book reviews become our topic of choice

Semantic debates, the prophet’s voice

Turned beauty to ash, God’s Word to a stone

These are the shepherds who should’ve known

Some, to be sure, are preaching Christ

From envy and pretense and even strife

What’s it then to me but that Christ is proclaimed

I rejoice, I rejoice that they should call on His Name

I’ve heard enough and I don’t believe

Truth is still truth without mercy

How long will we fight the wrong wars?

Dogmas like guns and opinions like swords

Turned beauty to ash, God’s Word to a stone

These are the shepherds who should’ve known

I in them and You in Me

May they be brought to complete unity

That the world may know that You sent Me

And have loved them even as You loved Me

By faith alone in Christ alone

Is the tissue that makes this body whole

By faith alone through Christ alone

Is the foundation that binds our contentious souls

 I’ve heard enough and I still believe

The Spirit of God brings unity

So shut your mouths and open your hearts

Love your brother more than your own part

Let the beauty return as you live God’s Word

And become the shepherd who through meekness serves

Through humility serves,   Let your gentleness serve