It is Settled! | A series of lessons from the Bible

by Howell Lasseter


 

Calling into Question

"For do I now persuade men, or God? or, do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ. But I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man. For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ" (Galatians 1:10-12).

It is time for the religious teachers and preachers of the world to be "called into question" about what they preach and teach. It would not be accurate to say that every point taught by many religious speakers is false. In fact, most of the points made by these speakers might be true. However, no person can be saved without being obedient to all truth. "Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth" (John 17:17).  Whose word had Jesus given to His disciples?  The pronoun "Thy" in the above verse refers to Jesus’ Father.  Whose word is truth?  Again, the pronoun "Thy" directs us to God, the Father.  Correctly, He is the Father of all His children - those who have properly obeyed Him.

Without any question, it is necessary to obey God’s truth; the verse above tells us His truth is His Word.  Having learned this basic fact - God’s Word is His truth - please search His Word for an example of any person who enjoyed the forgiveness of sins by praying what is commonly called "the sinner’s prayer".  Many of today’s "preachers" instruct one who desires to be saved to pray such a prayer, yet there is no New Testament example of any sinner doing so.  The publican of Luke 18:10-14, the thief on the cross (Luke 23:37-43), nor Saul of Tarsus (Acts 9:1-18) were saved by praying "the sinner’s prayer".  Friends, when it comes to the serious matter of the forgiveness of one’s sins, it is time we take God's Word only for what we teach and practice.  Search diligently from Matthew 1 through Revelation 22 for the command or the example of any person receiving forgiveness of sins through praying "the sinner’s prayer".  Ask your preacher to show you the passage, if you have difficulty finding it yourself.  The fact of the matter is, no one will find such a passage, for it is not in God’s Word!  God's Word is the same to us today as it was when recorded in the first century.  The things that were sin then are sin now.  The way in which man may receive forgiveness then is the same way in which one may do so now.  Call into question the teaching of the public and private religious proclaimers of the world.  Insist on book, chapter, verse, for each point taught.  Study your New Testament for yourself.  Believe and obey only the commands you read there! The eternal destiny of each of us is dependent upon knowing and obeying the Lord’s commands, and only His commands!

We have mentioned over the past few weeks that by-mail Bible courses are available. Keep in mind that every Christian is always ready and eager to study the Bible with you in your home, too.  I've provided a link to a worldwide directory of the churches of Christ.  Contact the congregation closest to you, and ask for a personal Bible study.  Every true follower of Jesus Christ will be more than happy to do so.

It is Settled!


 

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