Following Instructions
S |
everal months ago, our city introduced a recycling program.
This was accomplished by giving each address a short letter, a small brochure,
and a blue plastic container. When the designated day for collecting came, both
sides of the streets were filled with these blue containers filled with
recycling materials. Just a short message with instructions,
but the majority in the city understood. Some may not have liked the day or the
program, but they understood. In fact, there was (what seemed to be) near
perfection and unity in this effort.
Recently,
as I drove to work and saw all of these containers, the question came to my
mind, “Why can’t unity be achieved like this in religion?” It is a fact that
God has given over and over again, explicit instructions in His word on
religious matters, but there are serious misunderstandings on every hand.
For
example, the Bible teaches that the Old Law of Moses that God gave only to the
Jews, served its purpose, was fulfilled, and was nailed to the cross
(Colossians 2:14). However, in most religious discussions, there are those who
appeal to the Old Testament for authority as to what they are practicing. The
author of Hebrews writes of that first covenant: “For
if that first covenant had been faultless, then no place would have been sought
for a second” (Hebrews 8:7). Then he forever settles the issue with these
words: ”Behold, I have come to do Your will, O God. He takes away the
first
that He may establish the second” (Hebrews 10:9).
These
verses are even plainer than the recycling instructions of the city. Paul even
gives the purpose of the Old Testament or Old Law, and then reveals what
happened to it. “But before faith came, we were kept under guard by the law,
kept for the faith which would afterward be revealed. Therefore the law was our
tutor to bring us to Christ, that we might be justified by faith. But after
faith has come, we are no longer under a tutor” (Galatians 3:23-25). It
would require help not to understand Paul’s words. Paul, in this same Book,
sounds this warning: “You have become estranged from Christ, you who attempt
to
be justified by law; you have fallen from grace” (Galatians 5:4).
Jesus,
the Savior of the world, told His apostles what to preach to the world, and the
way sinners could be saved. "Go into all the
world and preach the gospel to every creature. He who believes and is
baptized will be saved; but he who does not
believe will be condemned” (Mark 16:15-16). What is so difficult to understand
about this? Yet, why do so many today reject the actual words of the Son of
God? He was given all authority: “And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, ‘All authority has been given to Me
in heaven and on earth” (Matthew 28:18). Now, how can anyone reverse His teaching
and then feel that He is pleased? However, in the face of His teaching, the
majority believes and teaches that baptism is not a part of one’s salvation.
They change the teaching of Jesus to say: “He who believes shall be saved, and then baptized.”
Recently
three men were going from door to door in our neighborhood passing out little
tracts on the subject of how to be saved. The tract was simple, first showing
that all are sinners (Romans 3:23), and that the wages of sin is death (Romans
6:23). This is true! Then they gave, what they called, “THE WAY OUT!” They began their answer
by quoting “For whoever calls on the name of the LORD shall be saved” (Romans 10:13).
Then
appeared their error. They taught that this passage is teaching “faith only.” Here is a quote of
their exact words: “Bow your head right now and sincerely ask Jesus Christ
to forgive your sins and save your souls.”
When
they chose Romans 10:13 to teach “faith only,” they did not read or
quote far enough. In fact, Paul explains (in this same chapter) how sinners
call on the name of the Lord. He wrote that they become believers by being taught by a preacher (vs. 14).
Then what did Paul say follows the hearing the word from a preacher? He
continued: “But they have not all obeyed the gospel....” (vs. 16). This is the
complete meaning of calling on the name of the Lord. This is also in harmony
with being baptized for the forgiveness of sins (Acts 2:38); of being buried
and raised in baptism with Jesus to walk in newness of life (Romans 6:4). It is
in harmony with Saul of Tarsus being baptized to wash away his sins (Acts
22:16), and of one being baptized into Christ (Galatians 3:26,27), to be saved
(1 Peter 3:21).
The
New Testament plainly teaches that baptism is God’s way of reaching the blood of Christ to be saved!
Why can’t there be unity and understanding?
The
pattern of failing to understand God’s instructions is also found in some of
the simplest statements found in the Bible. To illustrate, Paul wrote a series
of important statements to the church at Ephesus. After calling upon them to
endeavor to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace, he gave the
complete platform
for God’s unity:
“There
is one
body
and one
Spirit, just as you were 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).
The instructions for recycling in our city were not written as plainly as this! Yet, what has happened in religion to multiplied millions over the centuries? They have not united on these important instructions. Let us consider each statement given by Paul:
* “There is one body...”
He
begins by saying, “there is one body,” and please remember that the body Paul
refers to is the church. Here is Paul’s explanation: “And He put all things
under His feet, and gave Him to be head over all things to the church,
which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all” (Ephesians 1:22-23).
However, the majority
today rejects the one body or one church taught by Paul. They have changed this
statement to mean that there are many bodies or many churches.
* “and one Spirit,...”
The majority who believes in Christ evidently have accepted the fact that there is one Spirit, but there are serious divisions regarding His work and function.
* “just as you are called in one hope
of your calling;...
It
would seem that many in various religions have accepted the idea that there is
one hope; however, so many others have broadened the concept of hope. In fact,
there are those who claim to have hope without Jesus. God’s word teaches that
hope is limited only to this life—without Him!
* “one Lord...”
Paul
continues by stating that there is “one Lord.” It is sad to say, but
there are millions who reject Jesus as the one Lord. These evidently reject the
fact that Jesus is the only way to His father. Consider His words: “I am the way, the truth, and the
life. No one comes to the Father except through Me” (John 14:6).
Therefore, those who
reject Jesus do not know it, but they are without hope. To fail to believe who
Jesus is causes one to be lost. Jesus said it this way: “Therefore I said to
you that you will die in your sins; for if you do not believe that I am He, you
will die in your sins” (John 8:24).
* “one faith...”
Next
Paul writes to the Ephesians that there is “one faith.” It seems that the
majority of those who are religious today do not accept this. They believe that
there are many
faiths!
In fact, the concept seems to be very pleasing to them. Please keep in mind
that Paul was guided by the Holy Spirit to write that there is “one faith.” The one faith spoken by
Paul is called in the New Testament, “the faith.” Jude wrote: “Beloved,
while I was very diligent to write to you concerning our common salvation, I
found it necessary to write to you exhorting you to contend earnestly for the faith which was once for
all delivered to the saints” (Jude 1:3). Therefore, those who go beyond “the
faith” and accept “many faiths”
have not understood God’s instructions.
* “one baptism…”
Paul
really upsets the thinking of many religious people when he writes that there
is “one
baptism.” The
one baptism in the New Testament is a burial (immersion) in water (Romans 6:4), for the forgiveness of sins (Acts 2:38), to be saved (Mark 16:16; 1 Peter 3:21), and to
get one into
Christ (Galatians
3:27).
Jesus taught that being born of water and of the Spirit is the only way to enter the
kingdom of God (John 3:5). However, men have added many baptisms (different
from this) over the centuries. They have not understood the plain and simple
instructions of God’s word. They have substituted sprinkling and pouring for immersion, they have
removed baptism as a part of God’s way of salvation, and have used it to get
the ones they call “saved” into their denominations. This is NOT following or understanding the instructions of God’s word!
* “one God and Father…”
The
final truth that is mentioned by Paul to accomplish the unity of the Spirit in
the bond of peace is: “one God and Father.” This is acceptable to millions in the
religious world. However, there are so many false ideas about God as the ONE and ONLY Father. Some have added
spiritual fathers to their religion on earth. Paul did not say that there is
one Father in heaven and many on earth. In fact, calling spiritual leaders father is forbidden
in the Bible. Jesus taught: “Do not call anyone on earth your father; for One is your Father, He
who is in heaven” (Matthew 23:9). Could instructions be more plainly written?
There
are many other examples that could be given, but hopefully this is sufficient
to show that man can follow instructions about physical things, but has often
ignored God’s instructions for the spiritual.
This
should lead us to ask, “Why do millions ignore the instructions of the Bible
today?” There are many reasons that could be given, but let us consider three
of them.
1. Religious
Traditions
Millions
do not understand God’s instructions in the Bible because they are too busy
following the traditions of the past. To understand the power of traditions in
religion, let us briefly review the past. Most of the religious traditions of
today came out of the Reformation Movement of the sixteenth century. What was this
Reformation Movement of the sixteenth century? It was an effort (by many
religious leaders) to reform the Roman Catholic Church of that day. For many
years, they had been caught up in the slavery of a religious monopoly.
Therefore, when the freedom to reform was finally granted, various leaders
promoted what they believed should be changed. What was their ultimate goal?
They wanted to protest the Catholic Church to the point of reforming it.
However,
this movement did not go far enough. It was great to break the binding chain of
Catholicism, but a serious mistake was made when these men failed to return fully to the
Bible. For example, they changed only what they thought was wrong, but kept the
things that did not offend them. Since all of these reformers such as Calvin,
Luther, Zwingli, Wesley, and others had opposing doctrines and opinions,
different groups adopted their various teachings. This brought about the
forming of many
denominations.
Instead
of these men making an effort to reform the Catholic Church, they should have restored the complete pattern of
the New Testament church! However, they chose to reform instead of restore!
Therefore,
one group taught that infant baptism is acceptable, while others opposed it. Some
taught a “Faith
Only”
doctrine, while others taught the importance of a faith that obeys. Some
insisted on immersion
only for baptism, while others accepted sprinkling and pouring.
Each
group chose a special name to distinguish themselves from the other religious
groups. Thus, divisions and traditions were formed that have come all the way
down to this present time. These traditions are so strong that they block many
from understanding the truth of God’s word.
2. Ignorance
Another
thing that keeps many from understanding the will of God is ignorance. These people may be
very intelligent with a very high I.Q., but they are ignorant about God’s word
because they have not studied it. The Old Testament prophet Jeremiah
beautifully describes this kind of situation, “O LORD, I know the way of man
is not in himself; it is not in man who walks to direct his own steps” (Jeremiah 10:23).
Those
who live in ignorance, never question whether or not their religion is true to
the Bible. They may feel bliss in their ignorance, but this does not excuse
them with God. As Paul said to the men of Athens who were worshiping false
gods: “Truly, these times of ignorance God overlooked, but now commands all men
everywhere to repent,” (Acts 17:30).
Therefore,
there is no way to understand and follow God’s instructions while living in
ignorance! Remember that ignorance keeps millions from understanding God’s
eternal instructions.
3. Ignore Authority
The final thing to be considered that keeps so many from understanding and following the word of God is ignoring authority. When some are told that they do not have the authority to do what they are doing in their religion, it doesn’t seem to matter to them. It is not unusual to hear someone respond by saying, “So what!” These DO NOT have the respect that they should have for God and His word.
Those
who refuse to understand the instructions of God’s word are rejecting His authority. Jesus
asked a very serious question in His day that applies to all of us today. “But
why do you call Me `Lord, Lord,' and do not do the things which I
say?”
(Luke 6:46). This is another way of saying, “Why do you ignore My authority?” Those
who reject the authority of Jesus that was given to Him by His Father (Matthew
28:18), will have to face Him in judgment.
Therefore, all must lay aside human traditions and ignorance, and submit to the authority of Jesus. Only then can there be unity in following the divine authority and instructions of the Lord.
The
next time you see or think about blue recycling plastic containers, remember
that they are there because the residents of the city understood and followed
instructions. Surely it is far more important to understand and follow God’s divine Book than the physical
things of life.
Jesus
said, “He who rejects Me, and does not receive My words, has that which
judges him—the word that I have spoken will judge him in the last day” (John 12:48. —BBBristow