In the world that we live in there are many who claim to be followers of Jesus Christ. There are literally thousands of denominations that claim the name Christian, though many of them also claim another name to be identified by as well. There are also as many doctrines as there are religious groups. One group may teach that all infants should be baptized, while another teaches that they should not. One group may teach that it is impossible for a Christian to fall from grace, and another may teach that a Christian can indeed be lost after once being saved. One group will teach that marriage or meats should be abstained from, and another will teach that these are acceptable to God. Many of these religious groups would also have us believe that these things do not matter, that we all "worship the same God, and work toward the same goal". This may be very pleasant and appealing to us as human beings, but what does God have to say about this?
First, we must note that Jesus did not wish for his followers to have these doctrinal differences. In fact, Christ prayed for unity among his followers. In John 17:20-23 Christ said, "Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word; that they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they may also be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me. And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one: I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me." If Christ prayed for unity, should we not strive for it?
Second, we must realize that God has not left us with a revelation (the Bible) that cannot be understood. Why would Jesus have prayed for us to have unity if we cannot understand the scripture alike? In writing to the Church at Ephesus, Paul said, "...how that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery; (as I wrote afore in few words, whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ)." The Apostle Paul obviously thought that the Scripture could be read and understood. Further, 1 Corinthians 14:33 tells us that, "God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all the Churches of the saints." If this be true, then where does the confusion come from? The answer to this lies with man.
The Bible clearly states that, "There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all." (Ephesians 4:4-6) Since this is so, we know that all religious contradictions come from man. God has given but one faith, and has not contradicted himself (God is not the author of confusion).
How, then have these many religions come about? This can be answered by looking to Galations 1:6. Here we find Paul amazed that in such a short time the Galations had departed from the one true Gospel. When men depart in the manner which the Galations had, they are no longer practicing the works of God. Revelation 22:19 warns against adding to or taking from the things taught in the scripture. This passage has reference to the book of Revelation, but we can find other passages in the scripture that teach the same for all of God’s word. Deuteronomy 5:32 tells us that God’s followers must not turn to the right or to the left, but only follow exactly the things that God has commanded. An example of this can be found in Leviticus 10:1.
Here it relates the story of Nadab and Abihu. "...and Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, took either of them his censer, and put incense thereon, and offered strange fire before the Lord, Which he commanded them not. And there went out fire from the Lord, and devoured them, and they died before the Lord." Another example is found in 2 Samuel 6:6. Here Uzzah put his hand on the ark of the covenant, which God had commanded should not be touched by hands, but should be carried on poles. The Israelites had already transgressed God’s command by putting the ark on a new cart, and when the oxen shook the cart, Uzzah tried to steady it. Let’s see what happened because of this. "And when they came to Nachon’s threshingfloor, Uzzah put forth his hand to the ark of God, and took hold of it; for the oxen shook it. And the anger of the Lord was kindled against Uzzah; and God smote him there for his error; and there he died by the ark of God."
So we have the seriousness of transgressing God’s law. The Lord has never tolerated deviation from his commands, and he never will. He was patient with the Israelites for a time, and he is patient with us today, as we are told in 2 Peter 3:9. This is why God did not strike down the Israelites when they first transgressed, and why he allows sin to continue today. However the day will come when he will return to take those who have kept his commands and to punish those who have not (2 Peter 10-13). We can know the will of God and his commandments only when we do as Paul instructed Timothy, "Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth." If we do this, then we can find that narrow way.
Until next time, let me encourage you to search the scriptures daily, whether these things are so. Acts 17:11
May God bless you in your study of his Word.
Copyright Mance J. Davis Jr.
