False Religion | THE BIBLE VIEW

The BIBLE VIEW #929 — Modern Bibles

In This Issue:
The Attack to Change God’s Word
False Statements about Modern Bible Translations and Versions
Can’t Silence Conviction

Volume: 929 October 23, 2023
Theme: Modern Bibles

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The Attack to Change God’s Word
Bill Brinkworth

“For we are not as many, which corrupt the word of God: but as of sincerity, but as of God, in the sight of God speak we in Christ.” II Corinthians 2:17

The most important possession anyone can ever have is God’s Word — the Bible. His Word will save a person’s soul from Hell, help one live a successful and fruitful life, protect one from sin’s damage, and help one get eternal rewards. Because of its great importance, unfortunately, great efforts have been made to keep man from its truths and to change it. None of the interferences have been from God!

In the Garden of Eden, the woman God created was first tempted to question and doubt God’s Word. It was Satan, using the serpent, who attempted to confuse Eve with what God had said. She fell for his trickery and allowed sin to enter the human race by disobeying God’s commandments.
“Now the serpent was more subtil than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made. And he said unto the woman, Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden? Gen. 3:1
Satan’s tool of tempting others to question and disobey God’s commandments continued throughout the Bible. The enemy of God and His people was most likely behind much of Israel and its leaders’ sins of disobedience. Satan certainly was behind King David’s defiance of God’s commandments to him.
“And Satan stood up against Israel, and provoked David to number Israel.” I Chron. 21:1
Early churches faced deceitful corruption of God’s truths and Jesus’ teachings. Some false preachers claimed to have seen Christ and other “ministers” of God’s work deceived their flocks.
“For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ.” II Cor. 11:13
“Forasmuch as we have heard, that certain which went out from us have troubled you with words, subverting your souls, saying, Ye must be circumcised, and keep the law: to whom we gave no such commandment:” Acts 15:24
“But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction. 2 I know thy works, and thy labour, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them which are evil: and thou hast tried them which say they are apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars:” II Pet. 2:1-2
Many tempted God’s people with their words rather than God’s.
“Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ.” Gal. 1:7 The perversion of the Gospel is continuing in many of today’s churches.
“And this I say, lest any man should beguile you with enticing words.” Col. 2:4
Most that taught false doctrines and not what God’s Word says did it for their benefit and motives. Many false teachings continue today for the same reasons.
“For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple.” Rom. 16:18
“For there are many unruly and vain talkers and deceivers, specially they of the circumcision: 11 Whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole houses, teaching things which they ought not, for filthy lucre’s sake.” Tit 1:10-11 Often these “deceivers” are “religious” (the circumcision).
“Some indeed preach Christ even of envy and strife; and some also of good will:” Philip. 1:15

The main reason for all new “bible” perversions is to make money! That is why each version varies from another, so it can be declared different and abide by copyright laws. The KJV can be duplicated without paying royalties, whereas most modern “bible” owners are paid royalties when their revision is reprinted or even quoted, in some instances.

In man’s last days, there will be an increase in the corrupting of God’s commandments. That occurs in ALL modern “bible” translations and versions.”
“Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; 2 Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron;” I Tim 4:1-2

A spiritual battle rages (Eph. 6:12) to turn many from obeying God’s Word. His Word is still being changed and hidden in all the new “bibles.”

With all the deception continuing today, how can one protect himself from those false teachings? Following God’s Word is the only protection from being a casualty in today’s spiritual war. It is preserved in the King James Bible for English-speaking people (the same Hebrew and Greek of the KJV is also preserved in Bibles in other major languages).

“Try” or test what is said about God, Jesus, or His Word to see if it aligns with God’s ruler — the Bible. If it does not line up, it is not the truth. It is a lie, and it is not of God!

“Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.” I John 4:1

“People and organizations that declare to be of God are not always what they claim! Do not be deceived. Read and study your Bible to discern what is truly of God!” — Author Unknown

False Statements about Modern Bible Translations and Versions
Bill Brinkworth

“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 22:19

Much is said to sell new “bible” versions and their changed doctrines. However, much of what is said to convince readers to adopt their version of God’s Word is untrue. Here is a brief examination of incorrect statements said about the modern “bibles”:

“They make the Bible easier to understand.” Much of the King James Bible is at a 5.8 grade reading level (1) (Flesh-Kincaid Grade level indicator). The New International Version is at 8.4 grade level, New King James is at 6.9, and the New American Standard Bible is at 8.12. Besides that, it is the Holy Spirit that allows anyone to know God’s Word, not man’s editing (I Cor. 2:14)!

Another motive is also behind “making the ‘bible’ easier to understand.” That motive is to make money. If there are numerous changes, it can copyrighted, and its owner can earn money from its sales, as it is a new and different book. The King James Bible is not copyrighted, so no one makes any royalties from its sale!

“They come from the originals” or “originate from more reliable manuscripts.” The originals were never assembled in one place together. What some call more “reliable” manuscripts were the ones that earlier believers rejected because of their corruption, errors, and were seldom used. That is one reason some of the older manuscripts were in good condition.
“They change ‘archaic’ words.” They do, but in many places the words replacing them change the meaning of the verse. There are less than 20 words, not including verbs with “eth” added to them, in the KJV that are not commonly used today. It would make more sense to understand their meaning by using a dictionary rather than changing the Bible. Many modern books have words that the reader often has to look up in the dictionary, and no one even thinks of rewriting them to make them easier to understand.
“Scholars now know more than they knew then.” Many of the authors and translators of the new versions did not even know Hebrew or Greek, nor were they experts in over 10+ ancient languages, as were many on the 1611 King James translating committee. The translators of the King James were some of the most outstanding scholars and Christians of all time.
“They come from older manuscripts.” The Masoretic Hebrew Text and the Greek Textus Receptus used in the KJV are older and more reliable manuscripts, not what is used in most modern versions. Some of what are called the “older texts” are not reliable at all. Historically, they were avoided because of their known mistakes and alterations. Also, some “most ancient manuscripts” are over 100 years newer than those used in the KJV.
“They are correcting errors.” There are no known errors in the King James Bible! Most of what people call errors are intellectual or spiritual problems people had with what God said and recorded. Changing His words may have eased their consciences, but it does not make it God’s Word, will, and way. If the new “bible” versions are correcting “errors,” why are all 300+ versions different from each other? Don’t they have it right yet? Why are they still changing them?

Several years ago, a website offered a large sum of money to anyone who could find an error in the KJV. As far as I know, no one has ever found an error and has never collected a cent from the site!
“The new versions are more reliable.” Most versions are written to teach the beliefs of the author(s), religion, or organization that produced the work. Scripture that was contrary to their beliefs was removed or changed. Also, the King James translators were honest enough that if they added words to make the context understood or to show what the Hebrew or Greek meant, they italicized the words. Most modern versions remove the italicized words or do not italicize them.
“It is egotistical to think that only the King James in English is preserved.” There is a text that comes from the Masoretic Text and Textus Receptus for all the major languages, including English, Greek, Hebrew, French, and Spanish. Most of the major languages also have the preserved Word of God available to them.

Stick with the King James Bible! It is the reliable, preserved Word of God!

** The King James Bible has 783,137 words, whereas the New International Bible has only 727,969. **
1 Riplinger, G. A. New Age Bible Versions, Ararat, VA, 1995

“I notice if a man goes to cut up the Bible and comes to you with one truth and says, ‘I don’t believe this, and I don’t believe that,’ and doubts portions of the Word of God, he soon doubts it all.” — D. L. Moody

Can’t Silence Conviction
Author Unknown

A child was in the habit of going to room where there was a store of apples. She occasionally went to steal apples but encountered something that greatly troubled her.

There happened to be in that storeroom an old oil painting. It had a large face with eyes that appeared to be following her and a voice that seemed to say to her as she stole apples, “I see you. It is very naughty. I’ll tell on you. You are sure to be found out.”

That picture annoyed the little girl and she was determined to stop the convicting portrait. She got a small knife and struck the eyes out.

Two large holes remained in place of the eyes, and she never could look at them without thinking of what she had done and what they used to “say” to her. She had put out the eyes, but she had not, nor could she, get rid of her reminding conscience.

The same conviction of one’s sin is experienced after reading the real Word of God. One may find a modern “bible” translation that changes wording so one’s sin is no longer mentioned, but it is still remembered what the real Word of God said about one’s iniquity.

“God’s Word is meant to change the sinner, not for the sinner to change His Word to ease their conscience.”

The BIBLE VIEW #920 — Unbiblical Teachings

In This Issue:
Misconceptions
Unbiblical Beliefs
Just You and Jesus

Volume: 920 August 21, 2023
Theme: Unbiblical Teachings

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Misconceptions
Bill Brinkworth

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

The BIBLE VIEW #871 — Liberalism

In This Issue:
The Damage They Have Done
The Old Is Better
Christianity above Philosophy
Whose Christ?

Volume: 870 August 8, 2022
Theme: Liberalism

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The Damage They Have Done
Bill Brinkworth

A liberal philosophy has existed throughout history, but rarely has it done as much damage to society as it has done in the last fifty years. Many boast and are not ashamed of having such a philosophy, but its destruction to individuals and the populace is far-reaching.

Webster’s dictionary (1828) defines “liberal” in many ways. The definitions applied to a liberal philosophy include “not literal or strict, licentious, lacking decorum, unseemly beliefs, favoring changes, progressive, tolerant of other views.” Liberal thinking is usually a value system that deviates from what is traditionally considered normal and moral. From a Christian’s perspective, it includes beliefs that reject and want to change moral truths preserved by God in His Word, the Bible.

Any variance from how God wants man to believe and live will only lead to an individual or society becoming more immoral and living a lifestyle further from God’s demands. The outcome of accepting immorality has never been good for cultures of the past. Societies deviating from following God’s guidelines have suffered, whereas those abiding by His commandments have flourished.

Over the years, we have not discouraged these philosophies contrary to God’s Word. In too many cases, liberal thinking has even been encouraged. Liberal philosophers, politicians, preachers, professors, and teachers, whose beliefs kept them from being employed in the past, are now sometimes given preferential treatment in getting a job. Although their thinking is often accepted, the price it has cost society is immeasurable.

Here are some of the negative changes liberalism has caused in our society:

Where the morality of the majority of society was in line with scriptural teachings, the Bible has been banned in many institutions, societies, and even in conversation. In doing so, the standard that says lying, stealing, taking of lives, adultery, homosexuality, worshipping other gods, and other moral limitations, has been removed. Without God’s standards, it is acceptable to tell “little” white lies, take things that do not belong to you if you are needy, kill unborn babies because they are unwanted, commit homosexuality, and worship anything you want, because you feel better when you do so. Without God’s measuring tool, the Bible, anything goes.
Leaders who once could not get a job or be elected if their character or beliefs strayed from biblical teachings are now elected to positions that make decisions that alter society’s morals. Elected leaders in the United States have passed laws that allow over 4,000 murders of unborn babies every day. They have also removed mentions of anything about God or His Word in public situations (including the Ten Commandments that were posted in many public buildings), encouraged public acceptance of homosexuality, making it a crime if anything is said contrary to their beliefs (“hate crimes”), and countless other anti-scriptural laws.
Liberal religious schools have produced preachers and leaders brainwashed to question and doubt God’s Word. When they preach, they instill those doubts to their congregation, and now few under their preaching know what the Bible says, believe it, and certainly do not follow His Word. Because of the liberal infiltration of pulpits, “thus saith the Lord” is no longer instilled in minds. The “fear of God” has been removed from many churches!
Tolerance of anything, including others’ beliefs, has allowed unscriptural, damaging lifestyles to breed. Humanity’s depravity is now laughed at and accepted most times, as there are no longer any standards that say anything is wrong.
Teachers and professors with little biblical character and standards are allowed to guide and direct young minds during most of their students’ day. How do you think a student’s thinking will be after 12 years of liberal propaganda?

As an old ad said, “We have come a long way, baby.” Unfortunately, the way we have gone is morally downhill, and it is not good — in God’s eyes!

Just because the liberals are confused, have few biblical standards, and in many cases, are rebellious against God does not mean that we have to follow and conform to their way of life that we are forced to live! We, as Christians, know where the Truth is.

Our responsibility is to be examples many will want to follow. Christians are to be a light in this dark, sinful world. We need to lead Biblically, not follow unscriptural pathways. If one by one, we each live our lives according to what God has preserved in His written Word, once again, it will be unpopular to think and live contrary to what God’s Word says to do.

“Usually, the liberal tries to camouflage his true identity.”
— Dr. Harold Sightler

The Old Is Better
H. Cameron

What is the new theology?
Some substitute for Calvary?
Exalting sinful self, guilty man.
Ignoring Heaven’s peerless plan?
It cannot give my conscience peace,
Nor find my spirit’s sweet release.

What is the old theology?
‘Tis Jesus died instead of me.
Jehovah’s law he magnified.
God’s justice is fully satisfied;
I died in Him, yet live I again
With Him forevermore to reign.

“God’s perfect will and way need not be modernized.”
“Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.” Heb. 13:8

Christianity above Philosophy
Author Unknown

Every system of philosophy is little in comparison to Christianity. Philosophy may expand our ideas of creation, but it neither inspires a love for the moral character of the Creator nor a well-grounded hope of eternal life.

Philosophy, at most, can only place us at the top of Mount Pisgah, but there, like Moses, we will die. It gives us no possession of the good, Promised Land.

It is the province of Christianity to add, “All is yours.” When you ascend to the heights of human discovery, some things are beyond reach. Scriptural revelation is the only medium by which standing, as it were, on “Nature’s Alps,” we discover things which the “… eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.”

“Man’s philosophy is a bully that talks very loud when the danger is at a distance, but when facing life’s real difficulties, it runs away and cannot be found.” — Author Unknown

Whose Christ?
Herbert Lockyer, An Instrument of Ten Strings

Christians who love to be in places of worldly, sinful amusement give the world a false conception of Christianity. Their being in those places indicates by their presence that Jesus Christ can save, but He cannot satisfy and that there has to be some addition of the world to make the Christian happy.

I met a girl in Liverpool who listened one evening as I spoke about complete separation from the world’s ungodliness. She went home and was very unhappy.

She returned in desperation to tell me that if the theater, movies, and worldly amusements went out of her life, she would have nothing to live for.

I said, “God help you.”

“But,” she said, “I belong to the ___ church.”

“Well,” I said, “what has that to do with it?”

“We are told to have our quiet time in the morning,” she answered, “and then we can take Jesus into all these places.”

“Well,” I said, “you may take your Jesus into those places, but you cannot take the One of the Bible into there.”

“But, those who go to the limit to enjoy all the things that the devil provides in this world find that the way in the end is hard. For the moment sin appears to be the thing that you need, and there is a thrill in it, the ‘thrill’ soon harms the sinner, and it becomes a burden and a heartache.” — Dr. Harold Sightler

The BIBLE VIEW #859 — Religion

In This Issue:
Be of Christ, Not of Man
Don’t Follow the Religious. Be the Righteous!
Real “Religion”
Avoid It Not
The Real Thing
When to Go

Volume: 859 May 16, 2022
Theme: “Religion”

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Be of Christ, Not of Man
Bill Brinkworth

In the early church at Corinth, they had a problem that occurs even today within a church family. The new church had some declare allegiance to the one who baptized them (I Corinthians 1:12).

Today, one hears of similar allegiances. Instead of those claiming to follow the teachings of early church leaders and biblical principles, we hear of some claiming to be “Ruckmannites,” “Calvinists,” “Jimmy Swaggart”s, or another popular preacher they model their religious doctrines after. Even a denominational name is used to make it sound like their association with them shows they are as correct as they think their leadership is.

A spiritual leader may be close to God and even faithful to biblical teachings, but following any man closely does not guarantee anyone else will be biblically correct. A church label may indicate generally believed doctrines, but each congregation and member may have different beliefs.

I attend a Baptist church. I believe that historically Baptist beliefs have been one of the closest to what the Bible teaches. However, many Baptist congregations are as dead as a doorknob. Some of them have had “Ichabod” spiritually engraved as their epitaph. God has long ago departed from them. Most “religious” labels mean very little.

What labels often do, however, is create divisions among the brethren (I Corinthians 1:11). The contentions these divisions create often make a ministry have a poor testimony to those around it. Ultimately, disputes among Christians give the Lord a bad testimony.

Can you imagine what the unsaved must think of a church that cannot get along with each other? “They’re Christians, and they can’t get along with each other. I certainly don’t want to be a Christian if I end up like that!”

Paul reminded those fighting among themselves that Christ was not divided. If we are born again, we are on the same side. Above all, our testimony that the world should see should be only one label. That label should be “Christian” — or “Christ-like.”

“Men will argue about their religion; write about it; fight for it; die for it; anything, but live for it.” — C. Colton

Don’t Follow the Religious. Be the Righteous!
Bill Brinkworth

Pharisees were a powerful, controlling Jewish group that boasted about and led “spiritual” activities in Jesus’ time. They were known for their separation from the scripturally “unclean” practices of the worldly Gentiles. Their understanding came from the intellectual scribes that had much to do with explaining and preserving the Scriptures. At the time, if anyone were considered to be “godly” people, certainly it would have been the Pharisees.

However, Jesus had much to say against that sect. They were some of the “religious” people that opposed Jesus and tried to stop His preaching. That group taught contrary to what the Word of God taught. It was the Pharisees that led people in the wrong direction about spiritual matters.

John 8 tells much of what Jesus knew about this religious, but unrighteous, group including:

Their judgments and discernments of what they saw and heard were often determined by their weak flesh and not by God’s influence (John 8:15).
They did not know God (John 8:19). Although this group was known for their wisdom of the Scriptures, Jesus knew that they were not of God. They did not even know the true God, and He was not their Father (John 8:44).
Their garb and practices led people to believe they were religious, but Jesus knew that they were not of God, but of the devil (John 8:23, 44).
Their man-made “religion” would not save them. Unless they believed and trusted in Jesus alone, they would die and face judgment for their sins (John 8:24).
They did not realize that they were held captive by their sins. They were not spiritually free (John 8:31-37).
The truth of God did not direct their lives (John 8:37). They were not obedient to the Word of God they had claimed to follow (John 8:37-39).

Today, the Pharisees may not control us, but we still have “religious” among us that are not righteous. Even if they are faithful in going to church, doing “spiritual” things, or even talk the “Christian talk,” they may be as spiritually dead as were the Pharisees.

The Bible reveals that the errors of today’s unrighteous “religious” are much the same as the Pharisees that Jesus rebuked. “Religion” does not save or change anyone! Only a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and trusting and obeying God’s Word will change a person — from the inside out!

“The chief danger that confronts the coming century will be religion without the Holy Ghost, Christianity without Christ, forgiveness without repentance, salvation without regeneration, politics without God, Heaven without Hell.”
— General William Booth, Founder of the Salvation Army

Real “Religion”
J. Newton

The “religion” of some people is forced, something they feel obligated to do, not necessarily wanting to do. Those people are like those that cause themselves to take a cold shower. They take it not for pleasure but for necessity and health. Reluctantly, they go into the frigid waters and are glad when they get out.

Real “religion” to a true believer is like water to a fish. It is his element. He lives in it, and he could not be happy without it.

“Real ‘religion’ is a personal relationship with the resurrected Redeemer, not man-made, ritualistic routines under the guise of pleasing God.”
— Author Unknown

Avoid It Not
John Bate

Man does not refuse to cross the ocean because of its storms, travel by air because of accidents, or fight on the battlefield because of weaponry and deaths. Nor does he fail to study science and philosophy because of their mysteries. Likewise, man should not refuse to learn and practice God-ordered Christianity because of the various difficulties connected with it and by obeying His commandments.

“He must increase, but I must decrease.” John 3:30

The Real Thing
John Bate

One real dollar bill is worth a thousand counterfeits, however dim, wrinkled, and worn the genuine is.
One good, fruitful tree in an orchard is far more valuable than scores of trees, which may have beauty, but no fruit.
One genuine Christian, to God and the world, is worth a thousand hypocrites.
One acceptable prayer to God does more than the million that He rejects, even if the righteous’ prayer is simple, broken, and unpolished.

“I don’t like to use the label ‘religious’, as it usually brings up connotations of something man-made, not necessarily God-ordained. I prefer the term “biblical.” — Bill Brinkworth

When to Go
John Bate

When considering being saved, some people imagine they should bring themselves into a condition of moral excellence before they seek salvation. That is like:

A sick person waiting until he is well before he sees the physician;
Or an invalid waiting until he fully recovers before he seeks a change of air and place;
Or a hungry man waiting until his appetite is satisfied before he sits down to eat;
Or a person shivering with cold, waiting until he is warm before he lights a fire.

You go to the physician because you are sick, to the fresh air to improve your health, to the food because you are hungry, and to the fire because you are cold. In the same way, you should seek the Saviour as you are because you have a great need.

“All that the Father giveth me [Jesus] shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.” John 6:37

The Bible View #742

Articles in this Bible View: “What A Christian Has,” “Unconscious of Bondage,” “Having Spiritual Freedom,” “Chain and All,” “The Pilgrim’s Treasure,” …
Theme: False Teachings

BIBLE VIEWS:
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Ministry Version for Printing: https://www.thebibleview.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/BibleView742.pdf
Large Print Version for Printing: https://www.thebibleview.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/BibleView742-Large-Print.pdf