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Two Religious People
Two Religious People
There are two people who are religious and sincere, but they do not agree on religious issues. Examine who these two people are.
The first person views the Bible as the complete, absolute guide and final answer for all religious questions. He believes a “thus saith the Lord” for everything done. As he reads the Bible, he believes the scripture as God’s word. That settles it for him.
The second person believes the Bible, but he has other sources to guide his religious belief. Many of his convictions are based upon what he is “led” to believe. Those beliefs are not supported by the Bible, but he is sure they are true for him. He is persuaded the Lord “guided” him into his current belief. He also has his beliefs verified by the preacher where he attends church.
The first person seeks the Bible to receive his answers from God. The second person does too, but his perception is affected by what he is “led to believe”. He is like Colossians 2:18,19. He holds on to what he sees rather than to the Head, Jesus Christ.
The first person is “led” to believe and do what he does, but his inspiration is by word of God. As Psalm 119:105 says, “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and light unto my pathway.” He is persuaded by “every scripture inspired of God”, because it is profitable and makes man complete (2 Timothy 3:16,17).
Will these two men agree about religious matters? Should their approach to scripture be for what is important to God, they will agree with God not with each other. “Without faith it is impossible to be well pleasing to God” (Hebrews 11:6). Both of them would agree to wanting to please God. Then, they will both know “faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God” (Romans 10:17). Religious belief comes from scripture, not outside scripture. If being rewarded by God is the desire of both men, then their approach to God would be “Speak Lord, your servant heareth” (1 Samuel 3:9). These men will agree when their approach to God is through His good, acceptable, and perfect will (Romans 12:2), then let their hearts “cast down imaginations, and every high thing that is exalted against the knowledge of God, and bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ” (2 Corinthians 10:5; Colossians 3:17).
Which one of these men are YOU?
