There is a very serious problem with the so called "Sound Congregations" of the Lord's church. In the past thirty or so years, preachers and teachers of God's word, have not had the courage to boldly proclaim the gospel, as Jesus, the prophets, the apostles, Stephen, and others, did. Today's society has been conditioned to be tolerant and non-judgmental. Not to criticize another's faith, beliefs, or practices, but to just show tolerance, and acceptance. If you speak out against homosexuals or anyone who teaches and practices a false religion, then you are labeled as a bigot. Therefore, preachers and teachers of God's word, have toned down their preaching and teaching.

    Actually, they have watered down the gospel, and only teach "smooth" things, that will not confront sin head on, or offend anyone. "That this a rebellious people, lying children, children that will not hear the law of the Lord; Which say to the seers, see not; and to the prophets, prophesy not unto us right things, speak unto us smooth things, prophesy deceits" (Isa. 30:9-10).

    Instead of strong preaching against sins, such as, social drinking, indecent and immodest dress, dancing, vile entertainment, such as T.V., movies, music, reading material, etc., the gospel has been watered down, softened to the point that it will hardly ever convict sinners. Instead of condemning sin, some have condoned it, and they have fellowship with false teachers and false doctrines. "If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bit him God speed; For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds" (2 John 9-11).

    When strong, hard preaching is done today, many are offended and want to get rid of the preacher. Jesus preached hard sayings, which many would not endure, and they ceased following him (John 6:66; Matt. 23:13-33). The scriptures warn us: "For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but will after their wonton lusts shall they heap unto themselves teachers, having itching ears; and they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables" (2 Tim. 4:2-4). Brethren, that time is now! The brand of preaching done by Isaiah, Jesus, Paul, John, Peter, and Stephen, would not be allowed in many so called "sound congregations" today. Many are not ready for strong meat, and are still nursing on the milk of the word (Heb. 5:12-14).

    Some have strayed away from the truth of the gospel. Jesus taught, "Whosoever shall put away his wife, except for fornication, and shall marry another, committeth adultery; and whoso marrieth her which is put away doth commit adultery" (Matt. 5:32; 19:9). Homer Hailey and others have taught that this does not apply to non-Christians, so those who had married and divorced for reasons other than fornication, could come to Christ and be saved, and remain in their present marriage; they were not living in adultery, and did not have to repent, and leave this marriage. Jesus said, "Except ye repent, ye shall likewise perish"(Luke 13:3). The "whosoever" of Matthew 19:9 applies to all men, and not just to Christians. John was put in prison and later slain, because he said to Herod, a non-Christian, it is not lawful for you to have your brother Philip's wife, Herodias (Matt. 14:3-4). So what Jesus said about divorce and marriage, applied to Herod.

    Ed Harrell wrote articles in Christianity Magazine, supporting Homer Hailey, saying that he did not believe Hailey's teaching on divorce and remarriage was correct, but he would not call him a false teacher. He continued to fellowship him, and encouraged others to do so as well. In effect, we could worship with him, fellowship him, have him hold meetings, which amounts to "Unity in Diversity". The other writers for Christianity Magazine, Paul Earnhart, Bob Owen, Sewell Hall, etc., were drawn into this "dissimulation" as Barnabas and others were drawn away by Peter's action (Gal. 2:11-21). There seems to be a double standard in applying the "Unity in Diversity" doctrine. Bob Owen was asked if he believed in the "Unity in Diversity" doctrine, and he said no. He gave as an example, that he did not fellowship the "Institutional" churches of Christ, or the denominations. However, he does have fellowship with those who follow Hailey's teaching on marriage, divorce, and remarriage.

    Many congregations today, continue to fellowship men who have taught error, such as Hill Roberts and his "big bang" account of creation, and Shane Scott's teaching that the days of creation were not literal 24 hour days, but could have been thousands of years. This view brings God's creative power and His account of creation into question. It also casts doubt on whether or not we can understand God's word. If we cannot read and understand God's account of creation, then He gave us a book that we cannot understand. The apostle Paul said, "When ye read, ye may understand" (Eph. 3:4). Jesus said, "Ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free" (John 8:32).

    Some men say, not everything in the Bible is black or white, but there are many gray areas. In the Scriptures, black represents sin and darkness, and white represents truth and light. They say that grey represents that which cannot be understood to the degree that we can place them in the black or white category. Was Jesus wrong when He said, "Ye shall know the truth"? I think not. "Let God be true, but every man a liar" (Rom. 3:4).

    Where will you draw the line between truth and error, between sound doctrine and false teaching?

• Some brethren will not give an answer on where they stand on false teachers and false doctrines such as "unity in diversity."
• Some brethren become offended if you ask them where they stand (1 Pet 3:15).
• They belittle those who question them, and label them as trouble makers, brotherhood watch dogs, legalists, Pharisees, etc.
• Will you fellowship brethren within the church, who teach false doctrines?
• Will you fellowship liberal churches, who have fellowship halls, support Herald of Truth, have youth programs, entertainment, gyms, bus ministry, soup kitchens, etc.?
• Will you fellowship so called "Christian" denominations, which have good people in them?
• Will you fellowship groups who reject Christ as the Son of God, and our Savior, such as Buddhist, Muslims, Jews, etc., and have honest and sincere people in them?

    We cannot fellowship those who are not in fellowship with God (1 John 1:6-7). Many overlook the sins of false teachers and false brethren, and do not exercise the discipline that God has commanded (1 Tim 5:20; 1 Cor 5:4-7; Titus 3:10; 2 Thess. 3:6).

    Many, also, overlook the Scriptures that tell us how to deal with the erring, who will not repent. We need to remember what Jesus said (Matt. 4:4; 7:21-23; Heb. 5:9; John 12:48). The apostles were commanded by Christ to teach Christians "to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you" (Matt. 28:20). The apostle Paul said, "For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God" (Acts 20:27). All preachers and teachers should strive to follow Paul's example, in declaring the whole counsel of God.

(Edited for space, ERH)