For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth...Eph 5:9
Spring 2004 Volume 5, Issue 2 |
"Where In The Bible Will I Find..." |
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The apostle John wrote by inspiration, “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” (2 John 9). Jesus said, “If ye abide in me, and my Words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you” (John 15:7). Again, “If you keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even. as I have kept my Father’s commandments, and abide in his love” (John 15:10). We are warned about adding to or taking from God’s Word in both the Old and New Testaments (Deut. 4:2; Rev. 22:18-19). Neither are we allowed to practice things for which we have no authority, in going beyond what the Scriptures prescribe (1Cor 4:6). “The Bible does not say not too...” is subjectivism and a poor excuse for breaking the law of God (1 John 3:4). We know that God does not approve one speaking a different plan of salvation each time he speaks. But neither does God approve 10 different preachers speaking 10 different plans of salvation! When we differ in religious matters, it is not the fault of the Bible. Divergent teachings cannot both be right, perhaps both are wrong. The Bible is the standard of Truth (1 John 4:1). How can anyone think and believe that many doctrines are all right, even if these ones may be sincere? (See Heb. 11:6; Rom. 10:17). Notice a few examples: 1. One teaches that babies are born sinners, another that they are not born “little sinners” (Ezk. 18:20; Matt. 18:1-4). All of these cannot be according to Truth. How do we determine which one is right? The answer we hope is obvious: Let the Bible be our standard. |
By this means, and no other, can we abide in the doctrine of Christ. Differing doctrines, not in harmony with the Bible, make different religions and should be rejected by all today. The Truth which Christ brought to the world must be our only rule of faith and practice, if we want to go to Heaven (John 14:6). It is a sad fact that different doctrines divide folks into denominationalism. All religious teachings are not right in the eyes of God. The world was religious when Christ came, but His teaching constituted the keys to Heaven (Matt 16:18-19). We should not be satisfied with doctrines not found in the Bible, lest our worship to God be in vain (Matt. 15:9). All should be satisfied to follow Paul’s command, “Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth” (2 Tim. 2:15). This we will do, when we are all convinced that the Bible is verbally inspired, fully given, and the complete and powerful will of God to man (2 Tim. 3:16-17)! We are commanded to “prove all things, hold fast that which is good” (1 Thess. 5:20). Test the following with your Bible:
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