In This Issue:
Misconceptions
Unbiblical Beliefs
Just You and Jesus
Volume: 920 August 21, 2023
Theme: Unbiblical Teachings
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Too often, the teachings found in the Word of God are ignored and replaced by what people think is right, especially about salvation. None of mankind’s opinions matter, however. What is important is ”what saith the Lord.”
Good deeds and works will not get anyone to Heaven.
“For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.” Eph. 2:8-9 (Grace is the undeserved favor, kindness, and love God bestows on individuals.)
“Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law.” Romans 3:28
“Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;” Titus 3:5
The laws preserved in the Bible teach us what sin is, but following them alone will not get anyone into Heaven.
“Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin.” Rom. 3:20
“And by him [Jesus] all that believe are justified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses.” Acts 13:39 Also: Rom. 3:28.
Church teachings and traditions that do not align with God’s preserved Word will not save anyone!
“Making the word of God of none effect through your tradition, which ye have delivered: and many such like things do ye.” Mark 7:13
“Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.” Colossians 2:8
“Not giving heed to Jewish fables, and commandments of men, that turn from the truth.” Titus 1:14
The Bible (KJV for English-speaking people) is the ONLY place where God’s truths and plans for mankind are preserved.
“All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:” II Tim 3:16
“For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.” Rom. 15:4
(To learn more of this truth, read “The Word of God ONLY” at https://www.devotionsfromthebible.com/isaiah/the-word-of-god-only/)
“For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” Rom. 10:13
Unbiblical Beliefs
Bill Brinkworth
After speaking to many about how the Bible tells us we can go to Heaven, I have heard many beliefs not found in the Bible. Those ways are not what God has revealed to man. Some of those ways include:
“There is more than one way to get to Heaven,” and “There are many different roads to Heaven.” Those philosophies are never taught in the Word of God.
The point of the Bible is to state and preserve God’s plans and commands for all mankind. Suggesting that man can believe and do what he wants to get to Heaven contradicts Bible’s teachings. It is man’s way that got him in his sinful state. Only God’s Way is the path to salvation. It is God’s Heaven, and there is only one way to get there — His!
“Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” John 14:6 Also: John 10:9, 11:25
“We are all children of God!” If that philosophy were true, and we were all children of God, why is there a Hell, and why were we warned about it so we would not go there? Also, why did Christ die for us if all were going to Heaven? No one is a child of God unless he is born into God’s family by a spiritual birth.
“Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” John 3:3 Also: John 3:5
“We’ll see so-an-so in Heaven.” When discussing the whereabouts of a deceased person, many assume that the person is in Heaven without knowing anything about his spiritual decisions and condition when on Earth. Quite frequently at funerals, it is mentioned, possibly so people’s feelings will not be hurt, that the person the service is for is in Heaven, when the person never made any profession or indicated that he was trusting Christ as Saviour. They may have been saved and in Heaven, but the way many talk is all are going to Heaven, and only the “really bad people” are going to Hell.
That sounds humane and nice, but it is God’s Heaven and not man’s; God says only those who do what He commands will go to His Heaven. It is only His way that matters. That way is trusting in Christ’s shed blood to cover one’s sins and admitting (confessing) Christ as Saviour (Rom. 10:9). One will only go to Heaven if saved!
“And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.” Mat. 7:23 Also: Mat. 25:12, Mat. 25:41, Luke 13:25, II Tim. 2:19
“I’m a good person, so I’ll go to Heaven.” The Bible does not teach that either. It teaches the opposite. The Bible says we are all sinners because of having been born sinners and also our commission of it.
Because of our sins, we cannot go to Heaven unless we do what God says we must do to get there, and that is to be saved. No one is a “good” person. All are sinners!
“As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:” Rom. 3:10
“For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;” Rom. 3:23 Also: Rom. 5:12
“If God is going to put people in Hell, then I don’t want to have any part of Him or Heaven.” That statement immediately reveals the person does not see the seriousness of where he is heading eternally. He is rejecting God’s plan of salvation.
“And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved.” Acts 2:21 Also: John 3:18, I Cor. 1:18
God does not want anyone to perish in Hell (II Peter 3:9). He has clearly shown in His preserved Word the only way anyone can go to Heaven. Only His way will get anyone there, not mankind’s path. God’s way is by trusting that Jesus’ death on the cross is the only payment God will accept for anyone’s sin. That belief is the only one that will get anyone to Heaven!
“If you are on the highway to Hell, take exit John 3:16 to Calvary’s Cross Road. Don’t wait until it is too late!” — Author Unknown
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” John 3:16
Just You and Jesus
Bill Brinkworth
“For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus.” I Timothy 2:5
What wonderful news it must have been to the Jews, who were used to Old Testament worship when they first learned they could go to God themselves in prayer. Before Jesus’ death on the cross, they had to have priests go to God as middlemen for them. After the sacrificial death of Christ, they could go to God themselves. There no longer was a need for priests.
However, then and even today, many believe they cannot go to God themselves. Whether they realize it or not, these folks still attempt to worship the way it was done in Old Testament times. Some go to a “priest” in a confessional and tell him their sins. With his words and doing what he tells them to do, they believe he can order their sins forgiven. They trust the “priest” to mediate between them and God.
Others pray to the dead, and some to deceased biblical characters, hoping a “saint” can be the middleman between them and God to have their sins forgiven or requests granted.
Sincere as those people are, what they are doing is contrary to the teaching of the Scriptures. I Timothy 2:5 tells us there is only one mediator between God and us, and that is Jesus Christ.
We also no longer have to present a perfect, unblemished animal sacrifice for the high priest to carry its blood through the temple’s curtain into the Holiest of Holies, as in the Old Testament. When Christ died, God ripped that veil in two from top to bottom. Now any believer can go to God in prayer through Jesus Christ without a mediator.
Telling a person, be it a priest, parent, or any other person, one’s sins will not remove the consequences of one’s iniquity from God’s memory. Those people may want to help, but they also are sinners in need of the Mediator.
Going to anyone else other than Christ to meet a need in one’s life or receive help from God will not result in God answering one’s prayers. The only one qualified to go to the Father on our behalf is His Son, Jesus. He is the only mediator between God and man.
“Well, my friend, today we have a Mediator. The Lord Jesus Christ has come. He has one hand in the hand of Deity because He is God. He can save to the uttermost because He is God and has paid the price for our salvation. He is a Mediator because He has also become a man.
“He can hold my hand; He understands me. He understands you. You can go to Him, and He will not be upset with you. He will not lose His temper, strike you, or hurt you in any way… He still loves you and wants to put His arm around you.” — J. Vernon McGee