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The fact that we all shall be judged by the Scriptures also demonstrates that God expects us to understand, believe and obey them. Jesus said, "He that rejected Me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him; the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day." (John 12:48) Some of the reasons for men not to understand the Bible alike are wrong attitudes, prejudice, jealousy, envy and willful ignorance. There are a lot of people who understand perfectly well what the Bible teaches about a subject but who refuse to believe what the word says. In this case the Bible has no authority over them and causes religious division. Many people understand the Bible but divisions come because men lack enough faith in God to follow what He has revealed to us in the Bible. When men decide to go beyond what is written, to reach conclusions which can not be justified on the basis of the teaching of God's word, and to teach things outside the revelation of God's will, religious division occurs. One can only know the truth through knowing God's revelation which is the Bible. Jesus said, "And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." (John 8:32) He also said, "If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed." (John 8:31) |
One must abide in the truth to be a disciple of Christ. Many religions take the position that men cannot understand the Bible. This is a false theory of man because God has revealed that man can understand the Bible. The true Church of Christ will teach the truth and will give you the Bible book chapter and verse for everything we teach. Worshiping God is acts of reverence paid to God by man and should not be engaged in lightly. The true Christians will follow the ways of the Lord and abide in His teachings (2 John 9). Faith comes by hearing the word of God (Romans 10:17). Faith does not come by a small still voice out of the blue. No one has the right (authority) to teach anything except that which Christ and His Apostles taught. God is greatly to be feared in the assembly of the saints, and to be held in reverence of all them that are about Him (Psalms 89:7) Those who do not abide in the teaching of Christ will find themselves rejected by God and be lost forever. Your present situation is not hopeless if you will put Christ first in your life and obey the Gospel. People are bound in sin and need to be made free and the truth will do that (John 8:32). When one is condemned to, hell, that fatal sentence shall never be reversed and they will soon know what the word Hopeless really means. If you have a comment, or a question about this or any other article, please write Randall Phipps at the Clintwood Church of Christ, P.O. Box 746, Clintwood, Va. 24228. Our web address is clintwoodchurchofchrist.com |