It is quite remarkable that so many things that people involve themselves with are followed more on the basis of theory than of accurate facts. This attitude is all the more true in matters of religion.
People say that they believe the Bible to be the inspired Word of God and that it should be followed as the source of truth and authority in matters of religion and Christian living. Nevertheless, in the fact of the claims just mentioned we hear all kinds of doctrines that are adverse to the teachings of God. Please consider the following observations.
Some say that faith comes as a result of man’s talking to God in prayer. Then why does Paul say, “So then faith cometh by hearing and hearing by the Word of God” (Romans 10:17)? If it is the case that we are “justified by faith only a most wholesome doctrine and very full of comfort:, as a certain discipline says, why did James say that “faith without works is dead” (James 2:20)? If it does not make any difference what man believes just as long as he is sincere, why did Paul say that God “Shall send them strong delusions, that they should believe a lie: that they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness (II Thess. 2:11-12)?
If one becomes a Christian when he believes and if he is saved by faith only, why are not the devils Christians? The Bible says, “the devils also believe and tremble” (James 2:19). If a person is saved when he believes and before he obeys, why did Paul say, “…that ye were servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine delivered you. Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness” (Romans 6:17-18)?
My dear friends IF YOU BELIEVE IN THE INSPIRED WORD OF GOD, why won’t you obey it? Why don’t you study it for yourself? Why doesn’t your religion or doctrine agree with the doctrine of Paul, and Peter, and the other apostles?
Glenn B. Ramsey, Tennessee Bible College
Northeast Church of Christ bulletin February 25, 2024