FINDING GOD'S WAY

          In the early 1500's the reformation efforts began. Martin Luther was a very devout Catholic. He went to religious schools and studied hard and seriously. He soon realized that there were many unscriptural doctrines and practices in the Catholic church. He posted on the door of the Wittenburg church in Germany a list of ninety- five subjects that he took issue with and wanted to debate. Even though he wanted to reform the church he didn't go all the way back to the Bible blueprint. He was willing to keep many of the doctrines and practices not taught in the Bible but which, as he saw it, were not clearly forbidden by it. Although he was sincere, he didn't go all the way back to the principle required by Jesus, who has all authority (Matt. 28:18), that we must abide in His doctrine, His teaching. That is, we must let His word be our only religious guide. We must stay within His teaching, not going beyond or falling short of it. His doctrine includes His personal teachings He gave as He walked on earth pertaining to the new covenant and those things taught and recorded by His chosen apostles and prophets in their letters.
          Jesus said in John 8:31, "If you abide in My word you are my disciples indeed". 2John 9 says, "Whosoever transgresses and does not abide in the doctrine of Christ does not have God"(NKJV). Or, "Anyone who goes too far and does not abide in the teaching of Christ, does not have God (NASV). 1John 1:7 says, "If we walk in the light, as He is in the light we have fellowship with one another and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin". What is the light? "Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path" (Psa. 119:105). It is a "light that shines in a dark place" (2Pet. 1:19). We must walk in the light of His word and not step out of it into darkness. The only way we can see where we are going, spiritually, is by the light of God's word. Paul warned the Colossians not to follow after anyone who might mislead them and cheat them out of their reward; someone who intruded into "those things which he has not seen" (Col. 2:18) that is, things not revealed by God.
          All that we do must be "in the name of the Lord Jesus" (Col. 3:17), that is, by His authority, by His instruction. Jesus has all authority in heaven and on earth (Matt. 28:18, Phil. 2:9-11). He told His apostles they would be guided into all of the truth; that He would give the message to the Holy Spirit and the Spirit would reveal it to them (John 16:12-15). The apostle Peter made reference to "those who have preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven" (1Pet. 1:12). How did the apostles and prophets receive their knowledge of the gospel? Paul said that Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit revealed it to them (Gal. 1:11-12, Eph. 3:3-5). He said, "I have not shunned to declare to you the whole counsel of God" (Acts 20:27). Peter said God has given us "all things that pertain to life and godliness" (2Pet. 1:3). We need to seek the light of God's truth and stay within it and walk in it.
          Paul said, "All scripture is given by inspiration of God and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work" (2Tim. 3:16-17). Where he used the word "that" he means "for this purpose". The scriptures were given to us by God for this purpose: that we may be complete and thoroughly equipped for every good work. Therefore we must look to the scriptures to equip us, to inform us, to instruct us in what GOD has decided are good works. Peter said in Acts 10:35 that "in every nation, whoever fears Him and works righteousness is accepted by Him". But He didn't leave it up to us to decide what those works of righteousness are. He gave us the scriptures for "instruction in righteousness".
          In Matt. 21:23-27 the Pharisees asked Jesus by what authority He was teaching in the temple and doing the things He was doing. Jesus then asked them a question. He said, "The baptism of John, was it from heaven or from men?" If it was from men they didn't need to obey it, but if it was from God they did need to obey it. And that's a question each of us need to ask ourselves about everything we do in worship and service to God. Is it from heaven or from men? If we are attempting to be saved, to worship and serve God in our own ways, according to the teaching and traditions of men, Jesus said it is in vain (Matt. 15:9).
          In the eighth chapter of First Samuel, the Israelites demanded a king to reign over them. This greatly displeased Samuel, the judge at that time. That was not the system God had chosen for them. God was their king (1Sam. 12:12). He had chosen to appoint judges to settle differences among them and to see that they followed the Law of Moses. But all the nations around them had kings, and the people of Israel thought they needed an earthly king, too. So they disregarded the plan of God and demanded a king for themselves, even after being warned of the consequences. God was also displeased, but told Samuel to go ahead and give them a king. He told Samuel, "Heed the voice of the people in all that they say to you; for they have not rejected you, but they have rejected Me, that I should not reign over them" (I Sam. 8:7). The people didn't view their actions that way. They didn't think they were rejecting God's rule over them. They still planned to worship God and expected to be God's chosen people and enjoy the blessings and prosperity that He gave. But God said they were rejecting Him, because they were rejecting His way. They showed their lack of faith in God by thinking they knew a better way than His.
          The things that were written in earlier times were written for our instruction - to teach us (Rom. 15:4). We should learn a lesson from the events recorded in 1Sam. 8. When we substitute a different plan or system in place of what God has established, we reject God. Paul foretold a falling away, or apostasy, that would take place after his departure (Acts 20:29-30, 2Thess. 2:3, 1Tim. 4: 1). If we compare what we see in the religious world today with what is taught in the New Testament it's easy to see that the apostasy has taken place.
          Jesus' will and fervent desire is for all believers to be one, that is united, just as He and the Father are, as He expressed four times in His prayer in John 17:11, 21, 22, and 23. Jesus, speaking of uniting the Jews and Gentiles in one body (the church), said in John 10:16, "And other sheep I have which are not of this fold; them also I must bring, and they will hear My voice; and there will be one flock and one shepherd". Paul said in Col. 3:15, "And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which you were also called in one body; and be thankful", and in Eph. 4:4-5 "There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling, one Lord, one faith, one baptism .
          Yes, Jesus established one church, one faith, one plan of salvation, one system for our obedience, worship and service, hundreds of years before the denominational churches came into existence. Although the men responsible for their establishment were sincere and well-meaning, they are actually man-made substitutions for what Christ established. Isn't it obvious that everyone who takes part in them and helps to perpetuate them is failing to abide in the doctrine of Christ? It is impossible to become a member of a denominational church by heeding and following only the Bible. That requires teaching and instructions in addition to that found in the Bible. That is expressly forbidden by the God-given scriptures, as noted earlier. If anyone speaks, he should speak as the oracles of God, that is, as God speaks (1Pet. 4:11).
          We have been given "All things that pertain to life and godliness". Yet there is absolutely no mention of, nor authorization for, denominations. They are not from God, but from men. As a matter of fact, the beginnings of such divisions were condemned by the apostle Paul in 1Cor. 1:10-13; 3:1-4. That is what denominations mean and represent - divisions. The very concept is directly opposed to the intentions and desire of Jesus. It is a disregard for the plan of God.
          Paul's plea in 1Cor. 1:10-13 was that they speak the same thing and have no divisions among themselves. He condemns their practice of calling themselves after men (Paul, Apollos, Peter), thereby creating divisions. His argument in those verses is, if Paul, Apollos or Cephas had been crucified for them and the Corinthians had been baptized in their name, then it would be right to call themselves by their names. However, only Jesus died for them and they had been baptized in Jesus' name, therefore they should only call themselves after Jesus.
          To put into effect the original plan, the original faith, and the original church of Jesus Christ, all it takes is just to submit ourselves to His will, as given to us in His word, and then "continue steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine" (which is the doctrine of Christ), as the disciples did in Acts 2:42. That is how the Lord's church first began in the New Testament - the word of the Lord was spoken and people gladly received it and submitted to it (Acts 2:41). That obedience resulted in saved individuals and the establishment of the church, the body of the saved (Acts 2:47, Eph. 5:23). Since it was the Lord who gave those commands, and it was the Lord to whom they submitted, the establishment of the church was the Lord's doing - the Lord's work. God and Christ were working in them to accomplish that (Phil. 2:13). It was then that Jesus' words "I will build My church" came true (Matt. 16:18). "The Lord added to the church daily, those who were being saved" (Acts 2:47); the first time in the Bible that the Lord's church is spoken of as being in existence.
          The gospel of Christ is the power of God unto salvation (Rom. 1:16). It is everlasting and for everyone (Rev. 14:6). The Lord's will is still in effect today; He still commands the same things today as He did then and gives the same results. The truth will sanctify us and set us free (John 17:17; 8:32). When we "obey the truth through the Spirit" our souls are purified (through the blood of Christ) and we are born again by the incorruptible seed which is the word of God (1Pet. 1:18-23, Lk. 8:11). That is exactly what Jesus was talking about in John 3:3-5 - that we must be born again by water and the Spirit in order to enter His kingdom. That's what Peter preached and about 3000 people obeyed that day, the day of Pentecost, 33 AD, in Acts 2:38-47. The Spirit reveals the word (John 16:12-15, Eph. 3:3-5), which includes the instructions to be baptized for remission of sins, for salvation (Acts 2:38; 22:16, Mk. 16:16). When we obey those instructions we are added to the church, the body of Christ (Acts 2:47, Rom 6:3, Gal. 3:26-29, 1Cor. 12:13; 2Cor. 5:17). So God the Father, Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit, the word (which is the truth and the seed), and water are all involved in salvation, the new birth and in coming into Christ (into His spiritual body of which He is the head). The incorruptible seed, the word of God, lives, abides and endures forever (1Pet. 1:23-25). So, it is still in effect and has the same results when obeyed today. We don't have the right to choose our theology from among the many we are offered by man. God has only one plan and system. He has spoken and we must listen.
          This is the plan and teaching of Christ, but there are other things included in that plan, too. To begin with, the love and grace of God, giving His Son to die for our sins, making forgiveness possible for us (Jn. 3:16, Eph. 1:7). For our part, we must believe. Without faith it is impossible to please God and come to Him (Heb. 11:6). Then we must repent of our sins. God commands all men everywhere to repent (Acts 17:30). We must confess our faith in Christ before men (Matt. 10:32-33, Rom. 10:9-10, Phil. 2:9-11), as the Ethiopian eunuch did before he was baptized (Acts 8:37). Then after our baptism into Christ there are still other things to learn from the instruction book of God and apply to our lives. Jesus told the apostles in Matt. 28:19 to go make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. But their work wasn't to end there; He continued on in verse 19, "Teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you...." So, after we learn and apply the first principles of the gospel and become Christians, that is just the beginning. The apostles are still teaching us today through the words they wrote down, and which God has preserved for us all these years, and will preserve till the end of time.
          Assembly with a local church. When those who have become Christians live near enough together, they meet together to worship God, according to the instructions and examples in the New Testament. Then, by following the apostles' doctrine and scriptural examples, the church of the Lord will be in effect and functioning in that locality. This is all possible without one word being spoken about any denomination, just as it was in the first century. Then they are truly abiding in the doctrine of Christ, and are truly His disciples (Jn. 8:31-32, 2Jn. 9). If we all spoke only as God speaks in His word (I Pet. 4:11), this is the way it would be, and we would present a united front to the world, rather than a fragmented and divided one, and would be much more convincing and effective in winning souls to Christ (See John 17:21-23).
          But what about traditions? Are they harmless? No, they are dangerous. Jesus had something to say about traditions in Matthew 15:1-9. The Jews had started a tradition that pushed aside God's will about a certain matter. Jesus said because of that their worship was in vain; it wasn't accepted by God. They hadn't intended for it to have that effect, but it just goes to show the fallacy of man, and that no man has the right to meddle with what belongs to God alone. No man or group of men has the right to make spiritual rules, traditions or creeds. That is God's right alone. "Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the TRADITION OF MEN, according to the basic principles of the world, AND NOT AFTER CHRIST" (Col. 2:8). It would be well to remember the words of God spoken through Isaiah, "For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways," says the Lord. "For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts" (Is. 55:8-9). And Prov. 14:12 - "There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death".
          Jesus said, "But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshippers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him. God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth (Jn. 4:23-24). That time came when Christ's reign began as the head of His church, as the King of His kingdom (Matt. 28:18, Acts 2:33, 36, Eph. 1:22-23, Phil. 2:9-11, Col. 1:13). Traditions of men have no place in our worship and service to God. We are to prove or test all things and hold fast to that which is good (1Thess. 5:21). The Bible is the standard by which we are to test all things (2Tim. 3:16-17). Christ's word will judge us in the last day (Jn. 12:48). We must have a love of the truth in order to be saved (2Thess. 2:10). God's word is truth (John 17:17). We must be led by the Spirit in order to be sons of God (Rom. 8:14). We must not try to lead the Spirit by substituting man's will for God's; by attempting to be saved, to worship and serve God by our own ways. The Spirit leads through the revealed word, or gospel (Eph. 3:3-5, 2Tim. 3:16-17). "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding" (Prov. 3:5). "O Lord, I know the way of man is not in himself; It is not in man who walks to direct his own steps" (Jer. 10:23). May God bless you and lead you by His word into His truth, His will and His way and to the eternal home in heaven.

We know that our God is a God of love. "Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. He who does not love does not know God, for God is love" (1 John 4:7-8).
          Love is not just a feeling. It is active good will. If we truly love someone we are going to act in their best interest. This is what God has done for us. "In this the love of God was manifested toward us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him. In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins" (1 John 4:9-10). It is said that you find out who your true friends are in a time of need. God's love cannot be denied. God manifested His love to us when He sent His Son into the world to die for our sins and to give us eternal life. In times of sorrow and doubt, we can know that God loves us.
          Many people will acknowledge that God loves them. But they have some dangerous misconceptions about God's love. They think God loves them the same way they love others. We often overlook the faults of those we love. We make allowances for them because we love them. But this doesn't mean that God does the same. God's love for us is not like our love for each other: "For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways, says the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts" (Isaiah 55:8-9). There are some things God's love can not allow Him to do.

1. Overlook Sin.
           Someone might ask, "Why can't God just overlook our sins?" That's a good question. We tend to overlook the faults of those whom we love, and sometimes parents will overlook the bad behavior of their children. If God loves us, why doesn't He just overlook our sins?
          God is a God of love, but He is also a righteous God. He must do what is right. His righteousness will not allow Him to overlook our sins. In the Garden of Eden, God said that the penalty for sin would be death, "But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die" (Gen. 2:17). God's righteousness will not allow Him to overlook our sins. He must enforce the penalty.
          Sin is a problem that must be dealt with, not ignored. If God could overlook sin, He would have. And Jesus never would have been sent into the world to die. God's love can not overlook sin - but it has provided a way for our sins to be forgiven. "For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord" (Rom. 6:23). The free gift of eternal life is available through Jesus Christ. We are responsible for taking it. God honors our free will. We chose to sin, we must choose to be saved.

2. Overlook Ignorance.
           Some have the idea that as long as they don't know what God's word says, then they will not be held responsible for it. That it would be unreasonable for God to hold them accountable for something they don't know. The Bible makes it clear that this is not so: "Truly, these times of ignorance God overlooked, but now commands all men everywhere to repent" (Acts 17:30). There was a time that God overlooked man's ignorance of His will, but that time has long since past.
          We know that ignorance of the law is no excuse; it doesn't matter if it is the law of the land, the law of nature, or God's divine law. Ignorance is not a commendable thing: "My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge…" (Hosea 4:6). Paul says, "Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is" (Eph. 5:17).

3. Overlook Improper Motives.
           Doing the right things is important, but it is not enough. Motive is very important in our relationship with God. "These people draw near to Me with their mouth, and honor Me with their lips, but their heart is far from Me" (Matt. 15:8). Without the heart involved, we are vainly going through the motions of a religion that will not avail us anything.
          Israel of old acknowledged with their mouth that the Lord was God, but their actions showed differently. Their heart was not with the Lord. God loved them, and it pained Him deeply to let them go, but He had to. "My people are bent on backsliding from Me. Though they call to the Most High, none at all exalt Him. How can I give you up, Ephraim? How can I hand you over, Israel? How can I make you like Admah? How can I set you like Zeboiim? My heart churns within Me; my sympathy is stirred." (Hosea 11:7-8).

4. Remove the Temporal Consequences of Sin.
           "The way of the transgressor is hard" (Proverbs 13:15 KJV). God will forgive our sins. He will remove the guilt and the spiritual consequences, which is the most important thing. But God has never promised to remove the temporal consequences of our sins. Instead, the Bible teaches that we must reap what we have sown: "Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life" (Gal. 6:7-8).
          The alcoholic or drug addict can be forgiven, but they may never regain their health. The gambler can be forgiven, but they will not get back the money they have lost. An abusive parent or adulterer can be forgiven, but they may never get their family back. God has promised to forgive our sins, but we have to live with the physical consequences. Indeed, the way of the transgressor is hard.
Conclusion:
           God's love is great, and because of it we are blessed in many ways. We all enjoy the wonderful blessings of this life. Christians are further promised the spiritual blessings that are found in Jesus Christ (Eph. 1:3-14), the guidance provided by God's word (2 Tim. 3:16-17) and a living hope of heaven after this life is over (1 Peter 1:3-4). It is foolish to think that we can take advantage of God's love. He will not make exceptions for us. If we choose to be ignorant and disobedient, we will be judged by a righteous God. Indeed, "It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God" (Heb. 10:31).

        A stern warning about God’s word is found in both the Old and New Testament.

"You shall not add to the word which I command you, nor take anything from it, that you may keep the commandments of the LORD your God which I command you" (Deuteronomy 4:2).

"For I testify to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: If anyone adds to these things, God will add to him the plagues that are written in this book; and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part from the Book of Life, from the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book" (Revelation 22:18-19).

        We are not at liberty to pick and choose which parts of God’s word we want to accept and live by. We must respect it, preserve it the way it is, and obey it.

        God’s word is all we need in order to "keep the commandments of the Lord." We don’t need creed books, church manuals, catechisms, disciplines or other religious books to follow. All we need to be a Christian and go to Heaven is found in the Bible. Can we agree on that statement? If so, why have these other books? Why complicate the matter? Why add to the word of God?

        We don’t need additional revelation. Jude 3 tells us to "contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints." The faith, as it was delivered in Jude’s day, was final and complete. We don’t need to look for another. The Book of Mormon, the Koran, and other "latter-day revelations," may appear to be good books, but they are not inspired and are not necessary to make one right with God.

        We don’t need unwritten creeds either. Binding oral traditions, customs or opinions upon believers is just as wrong as writing them down. Jesus condemned certain Jews of His day for this practice (Matthew 15:8-9). There is nothing wrong with having an opinion, a preference or custom as long as:
1. it does not violate God’s law, and 2. it is not bound upon others.

        God’s word is all we need, but we need all of it. As Paul was saying farewell to the elders of the church of Ephesus, he reminded them that during the three years he was with them he had not shunned to declare to them the whole counsel of God (Acts 20:27). Why? Because they needed all of it.

        I am sure we have heard stories of people who, like king Jehoiakim (Jeremiah 36:22-23), have cut verses or entire pages out of their Bible. They want to believe in God but are not willing to receive everything He has to say in His word. These poor folks may have religion, but they don’t have faith.

        Not everyone has the nerve to cut up a Bible, but they are willing to ignore certain passages and pretend they don’t exist. Either way, one is failing to live by "every word that proceeds from the mouth of God" (Matthew 4:4).

        We know we must obey God’s commands. If we aren’t content with them the way they are there will be a temptation to change them to suit us. If we can’t live with God’s word the way it is it would be best for us to just leave it alone. Trying to change or ignore what the Bible says on a matter will not change it. "Forever, O LORD, your word is settled in heaven" (Psalm 119:89).

        "But the Lord is in His holy temple. Let all the earth be silent before Him" (Habakkuk 2:20).

        In some churches, this text is often quoted or sung at the beginning of the worship as if it meant that people must be "quiet in church." But being "quiet in church" just is not the point of this verse at all. In the context, Habakkuk contrasts the dumb wooden idols created by men with the true God who sits on His throne. His point is that God, the Creator, is in His holy temple, the place from which He speaks; His creatures must therefore shut up and listen to Him! Men do not have the authority to command, nor do the idols that they have created. God is the One - the only One - who speaks with authority; He is the only One who has the right to command, and we (His creatures) must listen to and obey His voice.

        You see, the point of this text is not related to our demeanor in church services. It has to do with God’s authority - to which men must quietly submit. Man must not rebel against God, nor must he try to speak for God. What man must do is humbly listen to and obey the voice of God - and that’s all.

        When you see this as the real point of the verse, you will see that it relates a lesson that modern religious men need to hear.

        This, and many other Scriptures, make it clear that we cannot have God’s approval unless we’re willing to be quiet while He speaks. Jesus, for example, taught that we must submit to the authority of God in order to reach heaven; He said, "Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven; but he who does the will of My Father in heaven" (Matthew 7:21). Note that it is the Father’s will that must be done, not my will or your will or the will of some dumb idol. And, according to the New Testament, we cannot know God’s will without His revealing it to us, which He has done in the written Word (1 Cor. 2:11-13). The written Word, then, because it accurately relates God’s will to us, becomes that which must be obeyed. And without obeying His will we cannot have His approval.

        And so, when we start trying to figure out how to acceptably serve God, we must have His Word on it. When we start doing things that we do not have His permission to do, then we are not being silent before Him.

        And right here is where most people in our religious world today get in trouble: They do not want to be silent before the Lord. They will not shut up long enough to hear what god wants, because they’re too busy inventing their own way of serving Him. Hundreds upon hundreds of examples could be given of how man has added to and subtracted from what God has said, and all of them prove that men are not listening to God. When will modern men learn that our additions to and subtractions from His Word are all our own creations, and are therefore no better than the idols carved by the ancient pagans? These inventions will not bring us closer to God; they will only serve to separate us further.

        Indeed, God "is in His holy temple." And if we would be wise creatures, we had better be quiet and listen to Him. We are His creation; therefore "let all the earth be silent before Him."