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Follow God's book, don't write your own
pastor corner

Man sees the need for standards in everyday life. The mechanic knows there are standard-size parts. And the seamstress knows the number of inches in a yard and understands the need for a standard of measure.

Why, then, is it not readily seen that there must be a standard in religion? Many have turned their backs on God and do not even believe anymore. Some say that with the population of the world being so great, surely not everyone can follow the same way.

That is one of the problems of man. He tries to figure everything out for himself rather than realizing God has already done the figuring. One must remember, God is not a respecter of persons (Romans 2:10,11; Acts 10:34,35). Every person who is saved will be saved by following the standard God has given to man — his word.

God wants all men to be saved (1 Timothy 2:4). Jesus said, “He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day” (John 12:48). Man is going to be judged by the word, and all men must follow the same word. In the teaching found in the New Testament one does not find people being taught different ideas. They were simply told to follow and obey the law of Christ.

Sadly, many have forgotten that there is a God in heaven who loves man and wants the best for man. In his word he has told men what to do for salvation and how to live a life that is good for man here and good to lead man to heaven.

Some have tried to develop their own plan for salvation. This is not right for several reasons. First, it is not necessary; God already has provided the plan to follow and has given examples of those who followed it. In the book of Acts, people heard the word; they believed, were willing to repent of their sins, confessed that Jesus is the Son of God and were baptized for the remission of their sins.

Second, God has said that his will must be obeyed. “Not everyone that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven” (Matthew 7:21).

Third, God has provided the only sacrifice that can remove sin — Christ. There is not any other sacrifice that can take away sin (Hebrews 10:4) Fourth, the ideas of men vary, and one man’s idea is as good as the next. However, since all will be judged according to the words of the Lord and not man’s ideas or notions, one should see the need for a true standard in religion.

That standard is the inspired word of God. “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 perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works” (2 Timothy 3:16,17).

“Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the Scripture is of any private interpretation. For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost” (2 Peter 1:20,21).

The word is God-breathed, it is not what man thought, or what man thought God meant it is what God wanted written.

It is God’s desire that man be saved. He spoke directly to man as in the days of Adam, Abraham, Noah and others. He then gave the law of Moses the first written word to man, and then the law of Christ. In each time period, God provided the knowledge man needed — and still needs — to be saved. It is up to man to follow God’s word, but remember the Bible is the standard to follow.

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