IS CONSCIENCE A SAFE GUIDE (Part 2)


     Thank you and a good morning to our radio audience. May I
express to you our thanks and appreciation to the many encouraging
remarks that have been expressed to me about this radio work that we
are now doing. I once again remind you that if you would like to have
a copy of this manuscript or a cassette of this program, please let
us know. That goes for any of the past programs, or for that matter,
any of the future programs that we shall present. You are reminded
that it will cost you nothing. We do not solicit, nor desire your
money. This effort is the work of the White Park church of Christ,
located one block south of Interstate 10 at Highway 61, just south of
Hankamer. The exit number off Interstate is Number 812 or 813,
depending whether you are traveling east or west on the Interstate.
We also offer you a free Bible Correspondence Course. Simply send us
your name and address along with your wishes. The mailing address is
Route 1, Box 502, Anahuac, TX 77514. Also, if you would like to study
these studies in more detail, please contact us. We have nothing to
fear in the study of God's Word, either privately or publicly. If you
would like to study these lessons more in the privacy of your own
home, or at a place of your choosing, please let us know.
     Now to the thoughts of the morning. Last Sunday in our broadcast
we discussed the subject: "Is conscience a safe guide?" I pointed out
that one's conscience is not a safe guide when it comes to matters of
a physical nature. When you are traveling and take the wrong turn, it
matters not how honest and conscientious you are in that mistake, the
only solution is to turn around, retrace your journey and find the
correct road that you may arrive at your desired destination. In
matters of health, business, and any number of other endeavors, we do
not trust our conscience to guide us.
     I pointed out that one may have a good conscience in what he/she
is practicing in religion, but may indeed be in error. One example we
used was the apostle Paul. He states that even while he was
persecuting the church, putting Christians in prison, even
encouraging the stoning of Stephen, that he did it in good conscience
and honesty. Yet, he was wrong.
     We stated that in order for the conscience to safely guide us it
must be correctly taught. If you did not hear that broadcast and
would like to hear it, please let us know. I wish to pursue the
subject a bit further this morning.
     In Psalms 119:104, 105, the Lord states, "Through thy precepts I
get understanding; therefore I hate every false way. Thy word is a
lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path." Christ comes on the
scene and states that all authority now resides in Him. So stated in
Matthew 29:18. The inspired writer John says, "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). Christ's will or testament is
revealed and written for us. There is no excuse for ignorance. The
Bible is a very easily obtained. In fact, the Bible continues to be
the best seller year in and year out.
     Listen to the reading of three passages: First, Hebrews 5:9,
"And being made perfect, He became the author of eternal salvation
unto all them that obey him." Second, 1 Peter 1:22, "Seeing you have
purified your souls in obeying the truth." And, third, Matthew 7:21-
23, "Not everyone that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into
the Kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father who is
in heaven. Many will say to me in  that day, Lord, Lord, did we not
prophesy by thy name, and by thy name cast out demons, and by thy
name do many mighty works? And then will I profess unto them, I never
knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity."
     From these passages it is readily seen that obedience to God's
will is essential to salvation. Many religious people will be turned
away at the judgment because they have not done God's will. Although
they have been very religious, have prayed much, and done many works;
still Christ will say "DEPART." It takes more than being morally good
to be saved; it takes more than faith only; it takes more than
baptism only. Too many form their religious convictions without
studying the Bible. Many just go by what THEY THINK, and not by what
the Bible says. This does not please God. We must do his will. NO.
JUST FOLLOWING ONE'S CONSCIENCE WILL NOT TAKE THE PLACE OF OBEDIENCE.
     One may commend himself highly, and insist he knows he is saved
by the way he feels; but this will avail nothing unless the Lord
commends one. We can only know what pleases the Lord by what He has
revealed in His Word. Paul states in 2 Corinthians 10:18, "For not he
that commendeth himself is approved, but whom the Lord commendeth."
Did you hear what the apostle said, "For NOT he that commendeth
himself is approved, but whom the Lord commendeth." Truly, our
conscience must approve of what we do, but just because the
conscience approves does not make us right, unless we are following
the teaching of Christ Jesus and His revealed word.
     There can be no doubt in the mind of any honest and sincere
person that the religious world is greatly divided. We look around us
and see churches on every corner, wearing different names, practicing
different doctrines, doing different things. As we are challenged by
this religious division, one might be led to ask, "How can I know the
true church of the Lord? How can I become a member of it? Is it
possible to be just like the first churches were in the first century
when they were first established by the apostles?" I believe that is
possible to answer these questions. I believe that the church will
have some distinctive identification marks. Please follow along with
me carefully:
     What about its Name? The individual followers of Christ were
called Christians, Acts 11:16, 1 Peter 4:16. There were not different
kinds of Christians, just simply Christians, follows of Christ. As a
church, several Scriptural designations were used: Jesus refered to
it as "My church," Matthew 16:18. Paul refered to "the churches of
Christ," in Romans 16:16. It is possible for a church to wear the
right name and be wrong in other ways; but no one can be wrong in
name and right before God.
     What about the Terms of Pardon? The true church taught that men
must hear the gospel. Romans 10:17 states, "So then faith cometh by
hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ." Hearing produces faith
in Christ Jesus as the Son of God and without that faith it is
impossible to please God. So states Paul in Hebrews 11:6. One must
repent of their sins. Jesus said, "Except ye repent, ye shall
likewise perish" (Luke 13:5). One's faith in Christ must be confessed
before men. Paul states, "for with the heart man believeth unto
righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation"
(Romans 10:10). One must then be immersed in water for the remission
of sins. So states Peter in Acts 2:38, agreeing with Christ in Mark
16:16, when He said, "He that believeth and is baptized shall be
saved." This then puts one into Christ.  Paul says, "For as many of
you as were baptized into Christ did put on Christ" (Galatians 3:27).
If you are looking for the New Testament church, you will find one
that teaches these terms of pardon or salvation.
     What about its worship? In the First Century these early
Christians observed the Lord's Supper each week. Acts 20:7, states,
"upon the first day of the week, when we were gathered together to
break bread, Paul preached unto them."  When a first day of the week
rolled around, they partook of the Lord's supper. What kind of music
was used in these early churches? Ephesians 5:19 states, "speaking
one to another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and
making melody with your heart to the Lord." These early Christians
were speaking one to another, they were singing. Mechanical
instruments of music are not found in the early churches of the first
century.  These early congregations were financed by free-will
offerings of their members.  1 Corinthians 9:7, states, "Let each man
give according as he hath purposed in his heart." You will find no
bingo games, raffle tickets, or pie sales in the New Testament. One
might do these things with a good conscience, but unless the
conscience is properly taught it is not the standard upon which man
can trust his eternal destiny.
     What about the organization of the church? Christ is the head of
the church. Colossians 1:18, states, "And he is the head of the body,
the church..." It has never had a human head, and has none today.
Each congregation was locally independent and organized with its own
elders or bishops, with its own deacons, evangelists, and teachers.
These elders "tended only the flock that was among them" (1 Peter
5:2). There were no regional or national associations, no
organizations larger than the local congregation made up of its
members. Each congregation was autonomous, that is, it answered to no
other. They were not dependent upon some society, organization or
association that told them what they could or could not do. Their
only authority was the revealed truth of God's word.
     I realize that the statements I have just made will not set well
with all religious people. It is not my intent to belittle, or
downgrade anyone. It is my intent to challenge each listener to
examine your beliefs and practices. Examine them in the light of
God's Holy word, the Bible. Do you have book, chapter, and verse for
all that you do in religion. It is not enough to say, "I think what I
do is right." Do you know? Can you substantiate your practice? Or
perhaps, you do not care. And, if that is so, my heart goes out to
you.  Surely, it does make a difference what we believe and what we
practice in religion. Remember, we quoted our Lord when He said, "Not
everyone who sayeth unto me, Lord, Lord, will be saved, but he that
doeth the will of my father who is in heaven." Are you doing the will
of the father?? How can you determine if you are or not? By giving
scriptural references to substantiate your practices. My friend, do
not let someone else do your thinking for you. Open your Bible, study
the scriptures, be sure that you are right in the sight of God. One
day you shall stand before Jehovah in judgment, and you will be there
alone. You will not be judged by what someone else said or did, but
by what you did.  You, and you alone, are responsible for the
salvation of your soul.
     Do you want to please God? Who amongst us would answer "NO!"
But, if you would please Him, you MUST DO His will. You can be a
Christian and only a Christian. Comply with the simple terms as given
by our Lord and his apostles. He will add you to His church. Then be
a faithful servant in His vineyard. Worship and serve Him in harmony
with His truth. And when life's fleeting shadows shall have all
passed away, the Saviour will usher you into those mansions He has
gone to prepare.
     Until next week, we bid you a pleasant good morning.
 
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