IS CONSCIENCE ENOUGH?

     Some are lost because they attempt to reason out a system of
religion. This might sound convenient, but can it be done?
     The Word of God says, "The way of a man is not in himself. It is
not in man that walketh to direct his steps." Again, the divine
record states, "There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the
ends thereof are the ways of death." It is not ours to seek some
other way; but it is ours to find the way that God directs and then
to do it.
     Others are heard to say, "If a man will only obey his
conscience, he will be saved." But, if we could figure out our own
system of religion, then Jesus was the most deluded man of all the
ages. He said, "Ye shall know the truth and the truth shall make you
free." He also said, "Sanctify them in the truth: thy word is truth."
Conscience is not enough. It is the truth that makes men free. "Thy
word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my pathway."
     But, in spite of these statements from God's Word, we still have
those who believe that it doesn't make any difference what one
believes as long as one is honest and sincere. Jesus said, "The words
I speak unto you, the same shall judge you in the last day." Does
this sound like it doesn't make any difference what one believes?
     "Every plant that my heavenly father hath not planted shall be
rooted up. Let them alone: they are blind guides. And if the blind
guide the blind, both shall fall into a pit" (Matthew 15:13,14).
Notice, both the leader and the one being led are lost. Thus, the
responsibility of those being led to study for themselves.  Must one
have a good conscience?  Indeed, we must.  But, it must be a
conscience that is directed by the Word of God.
      --Jack Thompson, preacher for the White Park church of Christ

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