|
|
|
Where In The Bible Will I Find... God's Ways Are Not Our Ways?
Gary Colley |
|
Several Bible references express this thought, but one of the actual verses that teach our ways and God's ways are not equal is Isaiah 55:8-9: "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts." This is true as we consider the difference between the church of Christ and men's churches. Men make their own names, acts of worship, plans of salvation, etc., but none of them are equal to God's (Matt. 15:9). Men claim that one does not have to be a member of any church to be saved, but God's word says one must be in Christ or a member of His church to be saved (Acts 4:12; Eph. 5:23; Acts 2:38-41). There's also a great difference between the kind of music the Lord specified — singing (Eph. 5:19; Col. 3:16) — and the swinging, swaying, and waving to the "hip," "jazzy" music of men's churches. Paul said, "I will sing with the spirit, and I will sing with the understanding also" (1 Cor. 14:15), and "Let all things be done decently and in order" (1 Cor. 14:40). Instrumental music may appeal to the feelings and the foot, but not to the heart in teaching, admonishing and encouraging the worshipper. God's way is different. There is also a huge difference noticed in the plan of salvation taught in the New Testament and the many plans of salvation taught by men in their churches and creeds. The main difference between God's plan and men's plans is that God's saves and theirs do not! God's plan is for men to hear His word, believe it with all their hearts, genuinely repent of their sins, publicly confess their faith in Christ and be baptized for the remission of sins (Rom. 10:17; Luk. 13:3, 5; Rom. 10:9-10; Acts 2:38). Men say, "infant baptism saves," "faith only saves," "grace only saves," "just praying 'the sinners' prayer' saves," "signing a card saves," and "then you may join the church of your choice," ad nauseum! Just a small investigation of the facts certainly shows that what God said of His will and man's will is true. "Choose you this day whom ye will serve..." (Josh. 24:15). Remember, Christ is the only way to the Father eternally (Matt. 7:13-14; John 14:6). |