Come Let Us Reason Together

There are hundreds, if not thousands of religious doctrines in the world today. As a result, there are hundreds, if not thousands of religious denominations in the world today. This has become acceptable, even preferable to most people today. Many view the great number of denominations as a benefit because it offers more opportunity for people to “be religious.” After all there must be something of a religious nature out there that will suit everyone! This attitude is reflected in “bumper sticker religion.” On any given day, we can find numerous cars that preach to us, “One church is as good as another” or “Attend the church of your choice.” Perhaps it is time to reevaluate this mentality!

A little over 2000 years ago, Jesus Christ came into this world. His work was two-fold. First, He came to fulfill the Law of Moses (Matthew 5:17-20). Second, He came to establish a New Covenant (Hebrews 9:11-15). After living a perfect and sinless life, Jesus Christ was crucified on a cross at Calvary. His death fulfilled and completed the Law of Moses and it instituted His New Covenant (Hebrews 8:7-13). Under this covenant Jesus provided a way for man to be redeemed, to be purchased by His blood. Only through this sacrifice could man be reconciled to God. We understand that we can have salvation only through Christ (Acts 4:10-12). If salvation is only in Jesus, then we need to make sure that we are doing things just the way that He wants them done. Jesus himself told a Samaritan woman at the well that “true worshippers” would worship God in “spirit and in truth” (John 4:23). Far too often, people today are convinced that they are “true worshippers” simply because they “feel good” about their worship. But, it is possible, even probable that those who perform some acts of worship are not doing it according to the will of Christ. Consider once again the words of Jesus:“Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’” (Matthew 7:21-23)

There are many people who have tried some semblance of religion, but have not done the things that Jesus commanded them to do. Religion that is practiced according to the knowledge of man is not the true faith God has revealed. Only when we serve God “in spirit and in truth” can we please Him. Only when we do things in accordance with His will (that is, according to truth) can we please to Him. The apostle Paul writes about this very problem in Romans 10:1-5. Those that are worshipping God according to their own knowledge do not please God. God is not the author of confusion (1 Corinthians 14:33). Therefore, He is not responsible for the religious confusion in the world today. That fault lies only with men, for they have perverted the Gospel of Christ! (Galatians 1:6-9)

While He was on this earth, Jesus said that He would build His church (Matthew 16:18). The question that we must answer is: Which church is His church? He only promised to build one. Therefore, only one church will be “His”. Those who want to please Jesus must seek out that one true church. Membership in a church that has as its beginning any time other than the 1st century and that has as its founder someone other than Jesus Christ Himself, is a church that is “according to the knowledge of man” and is of no spiritual profit to its members. The church which Jesus built is described in the pages of the New Testament. Any church that does not follow the New Testament pattern, either in worship or work is not His church. If we are not members of His church, then we cannot be saved. The apostle Paul tells us:

And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him (Colossians 3:17).

To do something “in the name of the Lord Jesus” means to do it by His authority. If we want to please Him, we must do things just the way that He revealed them,. Anything less than full obedience is to operate by our own authority. Such divergence serves no spiritual benefit! It may make us feel good. It may make us look good to those that are watching us. But, it does nothing to help us get to heaven!

Sometimes honest people have been deceived about their service to God. They think that what they are doing is right. But, just because you are sincere in your service to God does not mean that you are right in all you do! Can you point to the “authority of Jesus” for each and every religious practice in which you are involved? Can you give a “book, chapter, and verse” for what you believe and do? If not, then you need to re-examine your faith. In the same way I need to continually re-examine mine. Perhaps I am doing something that is not in accordance with the will of God. If such is the case, then you would be my friend to point it out to me. However, if you are doing something that is not in accordance with the will of God, you need to change that to be right with God. God wants everyone to be saved (2 Peter 3:9). We can help one another to find the truth of God’s word, if we study that word together. We should have the attitude of Isaiah, who said:

“Come now, and let us reason together,” Says the LORD (Isaiah 1:18).

Let us reason together. We would like to invite you to come and study the Bible together with us. We are a group of Christians who are trying to do the will of God. By following His word as revealed in the New Testament we try to please Him in all things. We hold to all that is revealed in the New Testament as our pattern to imitate. If you are tired of the religious differences that are in the world and the secular nature of most religious groups, then we invite you to visit with us. We do not have coffee and doughnuts. We do not have games and concerts. We do not have sports and shows. What we do have is the unchangeable gospel of Jesus Christ. We will be more than happy to share that with you!

by Kris Brewer

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