Dangerous Assumptions — Benny B. Bristow

One of the colorful events in the life of Jesus happened when He was twelve years old. He accompanied His parents to Jerusalem to attend the Passover, and when they began their journey home, they supposed Him to be in the company. However, after traveling for a whole day, they could not find Him. After returning to Jerusalem, they found Him in the temple involved in His Father’s business (Luke 2:49). Joseph and Mary spent many unnecessary hours because they ASSUMED.

One day my brother Burrell and his wife Sue visited us in Louisiana. When it came time for Burrell to take a shower, I forgot to tell him that the plumber had reversed the hot and cold faucets. He had been taught that the left side is always hot, so he ran gallons of water seeking hot water. Therefore, he assumed that his older brother was having “hot water tank” problems. He assumed that the right faucet would be even colder, so he never turned it on. Some time later, he came out feeling like a human icicle.

Most all of us have had problems because we have assumed. As a general rule, we survive these difficulties, however, it is different when our assumptions involve the spiritual. Please consider some serious assumptions that bring eternal danger.

Some ASSUME that it is all right to teach and practice that baptism has nothing to do with being saved, even though Jesus said, “He who believes and is baptized will be saved” (Mark 16:16).

Some ASSUME that it is all right to have “many faiths” or “my faith” when God’s word commands to: “contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints” (Jude 1:3). Also, “one Lord, one faith, one baptism” (Ephesians 4:5).

Some ASSUME that human doctrines will please God and get them to heaven, even though the apostle John warns: “Whoever transgresses and does not abide in the doctrine of Christ does not have God . . ” (2 John 1:9).

Some ASSUME that it is all right to forsake the assembly even though Christians are commanded: “not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together. . .” (Hebrews 10:25). And, “Now on the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread . . .” (Acts 20:7).

Some ASSUME that they can let someone else do their works, visits and service, even though James wrote: “But do you want to know, O foolish man, that faith without works is dead?” “For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also” (James 2:20,26).

Remember, when our assumptions are wrong with God, we have ALL of ETERNITY to regret it!