BT-Does It Really Matter

When we look at what the world calls Christianity today, we see disharmony and mass confusion. One may go to the phone book or ride around town and see many "churches" to choose from. These "churches" all profess their own spin on Christianity. They say that all "Christians" from the many different "churches" all worship the same God, but in different ways and as long as you are sincere, God will accept this. Ask Uzza in I Chronicles 13:9-10 if he was sincere when he put forth his hand to hold the ark. As Nadab and Abihu if they were sincere when they were devoured by the Lord because of their folly in Leviticus 10:1-2. The apostle Paul was sincere when he was a great persecutor of the church and said he had lived in all good conscience before God until he saw that he was wrong (Acts 23:1). If most of these "churches" use the bible as their guide book, doesn't it seem odd that we have so many differing views on how God wants us to worship on the first day of the week, the plan of salvation, on using names that God never authorized, and so forth? After all, the guide books or instruction manuals that you see have a structured, specific pattern that you must follow in order for something to go together or work right. This is also true with the Bible as well, for it is our guide book here on earth that will lead us to heaven if followed correctly (II Timothy 3:16-17, Psalms 119:105). First, we must understand that we cannot direct our life in the way that we think is best. Jeremiah 10:23 tells us "Oh Lord, I know that the way of man is not in himself: it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps." Proverbs 14:12 says "There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death." Just because one might think he is serving God in an acceptable manner does not mean that God agrees. Isaiah 55:8 says "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord." One must turn to the Bible for the only source of information (II Timothy 3:16) to be pleasing to God and study often (II Timothy 2:15, Acts 17:11) for "The heart of the prudent getteth knowledge; and the ear of the wise seeketh knowledge" (Proverbs 18:15). "So that thou incline thy ear unto instruction, and thine ear to the words of knowledge" (Proverbs 23:12). Then we must apply this knowledge to our lives with the proper understanding (John 4:22-24). It is easy for some to get caught up in emotionalism and not heed what is said in the scriptures, but "The way of a fool is right in his own eyes: but he that harkeneth unto counsel is wise" (Proverbs 12:15), and "He that trusteth in his own heart is a fool: but whoso walketh wisely, he shall be delivered" (Proverbs 28:26). Some might say that people interpret the Bible in different ways and it is not possible to believe the same thing (I Corinthians 1:10-13, John 17:20-21), but we must understand that God is not the author of confusion (I Corinthians 14:33), and that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation (II Peter 1:20). You see, God doesn't say something and mean many different things. When we speak we are to speak as the oracles (or utterances) of God (I Peter 4:11), not mans. Some might say that God likes the different ways that man devises to worship him, but in John 4:24 Christ says that, "God is a spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth." From this it is understood that we must worship God in a manner that is rational and intellectually correct and according to truth which is his word (John 17:17). His word is not to be tampered with as Deuteronomy 4:2 says, "Ye shall not add unto the word which I command you, neither shall ye diminish ought from it, that you may keep the commandments of the Lord your God which I command you." I Corinthians 4:6 says "...that in us ye might learn not to go beyond the things which are written." Galatians 1:8 tells us "But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed." In Revelation 22:18-19 the writer affirms "...If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book: And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book." We must not add to or take away from God's word no matter how good some new idea of man may sound as well as not taking his word out of context as some do. These verses show that we must be careful which way we choose; man's or God's. Some that worshipped, but not acceptably to God are found in Matthew 15:1-9, Acts 17:23 and Colossians 2:20-22. In Matthew 15:1-9, we have a case of those trying to bind a religious custom or precept of man on those who didn't wash their hands before eating bread. This is that which God had never commanded. These customs were regarded of equal sacredness with the written law which also had the same level of punishment. Also, Jesus points out a contradiction of God's commandment of honoring your father and mother. This tradition had made the commandment of God of no effect. Jesus then explains that these people were only giving God lip service and that their heart was in fact, far from him. These people were worshipping God in vain because they were teaching as doctrines the commandments of men. Vain means empty and worthless. Whenever we depart from God's word by adding to or taking away, we render all service to God useless. In Acts 17:23, Paul tells the Athenians about the one true God that they worship ignorantly. They had an alter with the inscription: TO THE UNKNOWN GOD. It is shown here that these people were worshipping God, but they were doing it ignorantly. One may worship God, but they must understand who God is, and know and do what he expects from us. Colossians 2:20-22 tells us of those who were subjecting themselves to ordinances of the Mosaic law, but also to any idea or device that man would conceive of. Paul asked them that if they died with Christ from the rudiments or ways of the world, why, as though living in the world, did they subject themselves to these things. He then teaches them that they should abstain from any practice that involves the precept and doctrine of men. In verse 23 Paul goes on to say that the inventions of man indeed have a show of wisdom in will-worship, and humility, and severity to the body (for example: monks and nuns practicing unduly rigid devotion on themselves by trying to be more reverent and godly towards God), but are not of value against the indulgence of the flesh, meaning no value or worth whatever against any temptation to body indulgence. These things do not protect one against fleshly temptations. In Romans 10:1-3 it says, "Brethren, my heart's desire and my supplication to guide is for them, that they may be saved. For I bear them witness that they have a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge. For being ignorant of God's righteousness, and seeking to establish their own, they did not subject themselves to the righteousness of God." Here, it is shown that though one may have a genuine zeal for God, if they do not have knowledge of God's will and are obedient to it, one will not be saved "seeking to establish" their own righteousness. Matthew 7:21 tells us that "Not every one that saith to me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven: but he who doeth the will of my Father who is in heaven." It is a popular idea that if a man worships according to what he "feels" is right, his worship will be acceptable to God, but being ignorant of God's way of making man righteous, they will not be accepted by God. This makes it clear that the teaching of Christ must not be tampered with. Colossians 2:8 says "Take heed lest there shall be any one that maketh spoil of you through his philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ." This is a warning that we must not give heed to man's philosophy or so called "wisdom" which is empty before God. We must not follow after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, but after Christ and his doctrine only. I Timothy 4:1-2 tells us, "But the spirit saith expressly, that in later times, some shall fall away from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits and doctrines of demons, through the hypocrisy of men that speak lies..." These doctrines of demons are those that may be spoke by sincere men thinking that these lies will bless them and those that follow them, but will only lead to destruction. In II Timothy 4:3-4 we are told, "For the time will come when they will not endure the sound doctrine; but having itching ears, will heap to themselves teachers after their own lusts; and will turn away their ears from the truth, and turn aside unto fables." It is understood here that some would turn away from sound and scriptural doctrine by thirsting for something novel or new, thus Paul's charge in the preceding verses that they be watchful and ready for false teaching always reproving, rebuking, and exhorting with all longsuffering and teaching. This false teaching is running rampant in Bible preaching today. We also, must be ready to correct such errors. Titus 2:7-8 says, "in all things showing thyself an ensample of good works; in thy doctrine showing incorruptness, gravity, sound speech, that cannot be condemned..." As shown here, we must maintain the uncorrupt doctrine which can only be Christ's and not let man's teachings or philosophies influence what God has given to us through his inspired writers. Hebrews 13:9 tells us, "Be not carried away by divers and strange teachings: for it is good that the heart be established by grace." This thought is general, and can refer to all doctrines of Jew or Gentile alike, though it refers to Jewish here. These teachings are those that are not consistent with those of Christ. The heart is established with grace by the means of the truths of the gospel which is good. In II John 9-11 it tells us, "Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son. If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed: For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds." Here again is an admonition to abide in the teaching of Christ only, which involves not adding to or taking away from his word no matter how good some new idea of man may sound. Let us understand and see the need for not going beyond or adding to God's word no matter what we may think or feel. Yes indeed, it does really matter.