ASK YOUR PREACHER -- (No. 4)
Thank you and once again a most pleasant good morning to each one
who has honored us with your time this morning. How good it is to
still be on this side of eternity with life and breath and the ability
to serve our God and our Maker. It is my prayer that each one
continues to examine the things that are being said.
For the past three weeks I have been asking you to "ASK YOUR
PREACHER" for certain passages from God's Word which confirm and teach
the various subjects which have been introduced. I simply wish that
all may have a better understanding and appreciation of what is really
taught in the Bible. So many things practiced today in religion are
not taught in the Word of God, the Bible, but this fact may not be
discovered by many without someone to call their attention to it. So,
I am following this course in an effort to call your attention to some
of the things that men are practicing and teaching which are not found
in the Bible. Therefore, I have been requesting of you to ask your
preacher for the scripture that mentions the doctrines and religious
practices that I have called to your attention. I trust that some of
you, at least, have been doing that very thing. If you have not, then
it would be a fine time to begin, for after all, we are here but for a
short time and then eternity will come. We cannot afford to follow
some religious practice or teaching that is out of harmony with the
Bible. So, why not ask your preacher about some of these things which
I shall now introduce?
Ask your preacher where the Bible says it makes no difference
what a person believes just so he or she is honest and sincere about
it. I am reasonably certain that you have heard that statement made
by religious people. I know that I have heard people say that it
really makes no difference what we believe, that if we are honest and
sincere about it, God will save us anyway. Perhaps you have made that
statement many time yourself, and very likely you have heard your
preacher say the same thing. So, why not go to your preacher and ask
him for the verse in the Bible that says something like that? There
must be a reason for a preacher to make a statement like that. He
claims to be following and teaching what the Bible says. Hence, he
should make the statement because the Bible says so; and if the Bible
does say so, he surely will be happy to show you the passage. So, ask
him to give you the book, chapter and verse. What Saith the Scripture?
In 2 Thessalonians 2:11, 12, we have this statement from the pen
of the apostle Paul: "And for this cause 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." This seems to be a very plain statement. It very
definitely states that some would "believe a lie." Surely, there is a
tremendous difference between believing a lie and believing the truth.
The truth is recorded in the Word of God. If something is taught that
is not found in the Word of God, then it must be a lie. The general
idea of so many is that it does not really matter, provided one is
sincere. Of course, he could not believe anything unless he is
sincere. He might pretend to believe a thing and be insincere about
it; but if he actually believed it, he must be sincere. While on this
subject: it is my firm conviction that not all religious teachers are
sincere; nor are they honest. I am not here to judge any man's heart;
but Jesus said, "By their fruits ye shall know them." I do know that
the inspired writers warned against "false teachers among you, who
privily shall bring in damnable heresies...." (2 Peter 2:1). The
apostle Paul stated, "that in the latter times some shall depart from
the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils;
speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot
iron; forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats...."
(1 Timothy 4:1,2). These warnings should alert us to the fact that
there are false teachers in religion; those who lead you astray for
their own personal gain. Is it not strange that so many religious
teachers constantly have their hands out, asking that you send money
to them.
But, back to the passage we mentioned earlier, 2 Thessalonians
2:11, 12, where Paul states that some would actually "believe a lie."
What about their sincerity? Can a person be sincere and yet believe a
lie. Of course, they can. But will being sincere atone for their
mistake? Will God save them anyway, just because they are honest about
it? What did the apostle Paul say about that? Read it again, verse 11:
"That they all might be damned who believed not the truth." The word
"damned" is exactly the opposite of "saved." According to this
inspired writer, what shall be the results of believing a lie? Even
though honest and sincere, one who believes a lie shall not be saved.
It seems as if Paul thought it made a difference what a person
believes.
A lie believe will have the same effect as the truth believed.
In Genesis, chapter 37, the story is told about Joseph's brothers
selling him into slavery; dipping his coat in the blood of an animal;
bring the coat to their Father, Jacob; and deceiving him into
believing that Joseph was dead. Jacob believed their lie and its
effect was exactly the same as if Joseph was actually dead. He was
grieved; heavy hearted over the death of his son. It was not until
years later that he learned of their deception and lies. It made no
difference how sincere and honest Jacob was, it was still a lie that
he believed. This simply points out once again that a lie believed
will have the same effect as the truth believed. It behooves us then,
to be sure that what we are believing is based upon truth, based upon
the Word of God. To believe an untruth or a lie will result in the
condemnation of the soul, regardless of how sincere and honest the
person may be.
In 2 Timothy 2:5, we read: "And if a man also strive for
masteries, yet is he not crowned, except he strive lawfully." When
people say it makes no difference what we believe, they often add: "We
are all striving for the same place anyway." And who would argue with
that conclusion. Surely, we are all striving to reach heaven when this
life is over. And we should be assisting each other to have that same
desire and expectation. But is striving the only thing that is
necessary in order to reach that glorious reward? This is all that
would be necessary if it makes no difference what we believe. But Paul
tells us in this text just quoted that striving alone is not
sufficient -- that a man may strive and still not be crowned, except
he strive lawfully. The crowning referred to is the eternal reward in
heaven -- the crown of glory that fadeth not away. But a man may
strive and fail to get that crown. Why? Because he may not strive
lawfully. But what does it mean to strive lawfully? It means to strive
according to the law of the Lord. To labor in harmony with God's Word.
If we strive or labor in something contrary to the law of God, no
matter how honest and sincere we may be, we will not be crowned. The
law of the Lord is revealed in the New Testament of Christ Jesus, and
if one tries to go to heaven by some other way, God's Book offers them
no promises. Truly, Paul says that it does make a difference what one
believed. If your preacher says it make no difference what one
believes, just ask him where the Bible says so.
Question Two just here: Ask your preacher where the Bible says,
"Once in grace, always in grace." Have you ever heard someone say,
"Once a child of God, always a Child of God?" In other words, it is
stated, "If a man is once saved, he is always saved. This simply means
that a child of God can do nothing that cause him to fall away from
the grace of God -- that if he is once saved, he could not possibly
commit a sin that would cause him to be lost in eternity. There are
preachers in almost every community who are preaching this. If your
preacher preaches this, why not go to him today and ask him where the
Bible says, "once in grace, always in grace."
While he is looking for the passage, you might call his
attention to the language of Paul in Galatians 5:4, which says,
"Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are
justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace." Did you hear that?
If a man can fall from grace, the theory of "once in grace, always in
grace" cannot be true. The two ideas are contradictory. Paul states
the possibility of one falling from grace. Does this sound like what
some preachers are saying? Ask your preacher, "Can a child of God fall
from grace?" Then if he says "No," ask him for the scripture that so
teaches.
You might call his attention to 1 Corinthians 10:12, which reads,
"Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall."
Your preacher might not like to read that passage, but you read it to
him. The inspired apostle very clearly states that one can fall. When
a preacher says that the child of God cannot fall, he must argue with
the inspired Word of God. "Take heed" means to be careful. Paul is
telling God's children in Corinth to "be careful," lest they fall. And
if you will notice the context from which this passage is taken, there
are examples of those who were God's children, displeasing Jehovah and
suffering the consequences.
You might call your preacher's attention to Hebrews 3:12, which
reads, "Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart
of unbelief, in departing from the living God." You will note that the
ones to whom this warning is given are brethren, members of God's
family. Can a brother in Christ develop an evil heart of unbelief and
depart from the living God? The Hebrew writer seems to think he can.
What happens to the one who departs from the living God? Is that one
still with God? Can one depart from God and still be with him? If one
is not with God, do you honestly think that he or she will be saved in
eternity?
Be sure and ask your preacher for the verse in God's Book that
teaches that "once one is in grace, that one will always be in God's
grace." And when you receive the passage, would you please forward it
on to me. I would truthfully like to examine the passage.
I see that our time is gone for this morning. Again, I wish to
express my appreciation for your time and trust and pray that you will
examine what we are saying. Not because I have said it, but because
your eternal destiny could well depend upon your response and reaction
to these questions. Are we responsible to God for the things we
believe and practice? I leave you to be the judge of that.
Much of this material taken from a tract by:
W. Curtis Porter, Cogdill Pub. Co.
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