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But Is It From Scripture?
One of the presidential candidates whose name is in the daily headlines said recently, "We believe truth over facts". A lot of people are getting some jabs in, because truth and facts are the same, and I'm pretty sure anybody could make a similar statement when a microphone is shoved in their face so let's not be harsh. But truth or facts over fiction is another matter, and a very serious matter when it comes to our faith.
Last week, we encouraged you to be the type of person who constantly compares what is taught to what the Bible actually says. Our reasoning for that was because often times, people are misled to believe things not taught in scripture. I firmly believe that often those spreading fiction have no idea they are teaching false doctrine, because it is what they were taught, and they firmly believe it to be true. Perhaps they have a very sincere heart, and a heart to please God, but are teaching things foreign to God's word. We have a perfect example in the Apostle Paul. He was sincere in his quest to stamp out Christianity, but he was sincerely wrong! Paul knew he had to change when he was made aware that he was persecuting Jesus' followers. It was necessary for him to change and pursue the truth of Christ.
So whether it is two or two thousand, we all know that different doctrines can't be true, because they contradict each other. We are told in scripture that there is "one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all." (Eph 4:5-6) Usually if someone believes in God, no one will deny that there is only one God, one Father, one Lord. But when it comes to the faith part, we hear things like "it doesn't matter what you believe, as long as you believe..." or "we may be on different roads, but they all meet up at the end..." So what about "one faith"? It does matter what you believe, because if it is not the "one faith" Paul is talking about, then it's not the truth. If God's word outlines one road to heaven, doesn't that mean we better be on that one road?
Today, please look at what you have come to believe, and compare it carefully with the word of God. Look at scripture without any pre-conceived ideas, and see what it actually says. It does matter. It is urgently important that we separate fact from fiction, otherwise we will not be pleasing to God, perhaps we have not met His requirements for salvation, and that could leave us separated from Him on the day of judgment. It doesn't get any more serious than that!
