Bible Thoughts

December 19, 2004

A proper attitude is an essential part of any disciple's religion. Without it, one can be easily deceived into believing and doing that which is contrary to God's will. With the proper attitude, one can readily discern between truth and error. Do I possess a proper attitude? Let us think about how we see ourselves and others in regard to the truth of God's word. Am I willing to accept all of the truth? Or--only those items that appeal to one's personal likes and dislikes? Many individuals weigh the scriptures in the light of emotional feelings and make a decision based on a failure to study God's Word. The apostle Paul emphasized that "every scripture" is "inspired of God"(II Timothy 3:16). How many times has a religious person read this scripture, and-- then, follows the teachings of men. Such is not found just in the denominational person, but could occur even among the saints of God. The apostle Peter stated that God's power had supplied us with "all" things that pertain unto life and godliness(II Peter 1:3). When we truly desire to please Jehovah, we will accept all of His truth.

Do I believe only those teachings found in God's Word when determining the basis for my faith and my practices in religion? Or--do I sometimes permit some speculative idea or notion to influence my thinking? The scriptures are the only source for our faith and contain the basis for living a life of righteousness. When anything is added to the commands of Jesus Christ, corruption of religion occurs. Such is not confined only to righteous actions in worship, but covers the entire life of a dedicated disciple. Jude pointed out that we have the faith "once for all" revealed to mankind(Jude 3). When one accepts the scriptures in the light of human doctrines, such will result in a vain faith(Matthew 15:9).

Am I willing to believe the truth regardless of the person who calls it to my attention? Each of us should be willing to receive the truth, not because we have a fondness for the person speaking such, but because it is the truth. All truth in religion originates with God. The one who speaks the truth is simply a messenger pointing out the will of Jehovah. When one speaks from the scriptures, without corrupting the word of God, let each of us be willing to accept the message(s). Never place oneself in the position of rejecting truth due to the personal likes and dislikes one might have for individual teachers. Each of us do have our peculiarities--and--even sometimes we are even wrong! The Lord did not make infallible Christians: all of us can make mistakes.

Do I study the Bible in the light of my past experiences and notions? It is unfortunate when people open the Bible and begin to study on the basis of their own beliefs, rather than accepting the plain teachings of the scriptures. Many, many people reach false conclusions concerning God's word and, often spread their notions into the minds of others. When we approach a study of the Bible, we need to free our minds of all previous human notions and be content to receive whatever God commands. What a glorious discovery one could make by freeing oneself of the prejudices of men found in religious beliefs. All of the teachings and practices of those who promote religion must be proven from the scriptures. The disciplines and creeds that rule the denominational world are the products of human wisdom, not a product of the Lord. A person's faith and practice must be proven by the scriptures, not the works of men. Religion is personal! The correct attitude in the individual must be manifest should one desire to be acceptable in God's sight. Why not engage in a self-examination of your faith? Start with these questions: Do I have the right attitude toward the word of God? Am I willing to accept the commands and examples one finds in the New Testament and only obey what can be found in the revelation from Jesus Christ and receive only what it contains? Has my faith been based on past teachings and experiences of my own devices even when the Bible does not approve such?

The desire of faithful Christians is to accept the will of Jesus Christ without any speculations. Let each of us stand only on the Word of God as revealed in the New Testament. What is my attitude in regard to the Word of God?

The expression "church of Christ" does not insure a group against error. From the speech and attitude of some, one might be led to think that simply calling a group a "church of Christ" stamps it with the mark of infallibility. Nothing could be further from the truth.

While it is true that God's people will be "the church of Christ" in a given community, not all groups that so use the term are such. While involved in a meeting in Ohio several years ago, it was found that four groups on one street in the small town were using the expression "church of Christ." Yet, three of them practiced easily recognized error. The county contained twenty-six groups who called themselves "churches of Christ," all of whom used the instrument of music and practiced, in various degrees, other errors. They were not right simply because they called themselves by the term "church of Christ."

Even when a group of the present calls themselves the "church of Christ," such gives no insurance against apostasy. We may put Christ's name on a building, but unless we put the word of God into the hearts of those who meet therein, they have no right to wear the name of Christ.

The Roman Catholic church teaches and practices the infallibility of the Pope speaking under certain conditions. One wonders if the doctrine of "infallibility" has encroached some congregations. We plead with all who read this article will seek the truth of God's word in regard to all teachings and practices. Nothing less than such a desire can be pleasing to the Almighty.

"The disposition to amend and change the appointments of God was at work and was restrained in its growth by Paul's authority as an apostle of the Lord; but when he was taken out of the way it had free course and developed rapidly. It is not difficult to trace its growth through the succeeding centuries, culminating in hierarchies for which God's word made no provisions. But that principle is not confined to one or two churches. Its presence is manifest in a greater or lesser degree in all the churches, in the changes in the order of worship, in the ordinances of the church; and in the multiplication of societies and organizations that seem for a time to add to its beauty and activity, but which, in the end, as parasites, sap the life out of the churches. This principle is manifest especially in the organization of the churches themselves into societies and ecclesiasticisms that first usurp the work of the churches and then control them and come between man and God."-David Lipscomb.