|
|
|
Where In The Bible Will I Find...
We Must Abide In Christ's Doctrine (I)? Gary Colley |
By inspiration, the apostle John wrote, "Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son" (2 John 9). Jesus said, "If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you" (John 15:7). Again, "If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love" (John 15:10). We are warned about adding to or taking from God's word in both the Old and New Testaments (Deut. 4:2; Rev. 22:18-19). Neither are we allowed to practice things for which we have no authority in going beyond what the Scripture prescribes (1 Cor. 4:6). "The Bible does not say not to" is subjectivism and a poor excuse for breaking the law of God (1 John 3:4). We know that God does not approve of one speaking a different plan of salvation each time he speaks. But neither does God approve ten different preachers speaking ten different plans of salvation! When we differ in religious matters, it is not the fault of the Bible. Divergent teachings cannot both be right, but perhaps both are wrong. The Bible is the standard of Truth (1 John 4:1). How can anyone think and believe that many differing doctrines are all right, even though the ones teaching them may be sincere? (cf. Heb. 11:6; Rom. 10:17). Notice a few examples:
|