God has given his word to man, desiring that all be saved, but leaving it up to man to make the decision as to whether to follow God.

The word of God is not to be altered by man. Notice how God, in his word, has told man this time and time again, "Ye shall not add unto the word which I command you, neither shall ye diminish ought from it, that ye may keep the commandments of the Lord your God which I command you" (Deuteronomy 4:2).

"Add thou not unto his words, lest he reprove thee, and thou be found a liar." (Proverbs 30:6).

"For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, if any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book: And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book" (Revelation 22:18, 19).

"Judgment will not be by the words of men but by the words of the Lord. Men seek to put forth their ideas and not follow God" (Matthew 7:21 – 23).

In that passage, there are those who believed they had been doing things for God, but it was according to their ideas and ways, not God’s.

How tragic is this fact. Imagine someone having a sincere heart, being a zealous worker, but believing a man and never learning the truth God desires them to know.

"For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth" (I Timothy 2:3, 4).

In the Lord’s life men were following the words of men and not those of God. Jesus said of this, "But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men" (Matthew 15:9).

If this could happen when Christ walked among men, can it not happen now? Of course it can, and it has happened. The words of Jeremiah come to mind, "O Lord, I know that the way of man is not in himself: It is not in man that walketh to direct his steps" (Jeremiah 10:23)

All men must heed the word of God.

"Study to show thyself approved unto God …" (2 Timothy 2:15).

Come to the knowledge and truth of God’s word; obey it as it is given in the Bible. Follow the standard, the Bible.

Do as those in the book of Acts did, have faith in Jesus, repent of sins, be ready and willing to confess the name of Christ before men, and be baptized for the remission of sins.

From that point on, live faithful lives unto God; this is the plan of salvation God has given in his word.