Serving the High Plains

Your beliefs have to agree with God’s word

Religion Columnist

The following article was written by a dear friend, Jeannie Pepper, with just a little modification by me. Thanks, Jeannie.

How long has it been since you examined your beliefs? Consider the way you think, the way you live, and what you believe (2 Corinthians 13:5; 1 Timothy 4:16).

Just sixty years ago, our nation’s beliefs were very different than they now are because humankind’s sinful nature is always trying to change God’s word. This doesn’t just happen in the pagan world. It also happens in the church, and it’s nothing new (Acts 20:28-32). The Bible mentions those who distort God’s word to fit what they want to believe and how they want to live (1 Timothy 4:1-2; 2 Peter 2:1-3; 2 Timothy 4:3-4).

Those who believe the Bible to be God’s own truth try to live by that truth. Others, who find it too restrictive, decide they’ll make a “little change” here and there to fit our modern times. After all, the Bible was written so long ago, how could it apply now, to our modern world? When did truth change to fit the times? Truth is truth, now and forever, and we shouldn’t allow Satan to delude us into changing it (1 Peter 1:24-25; 2 Thessalonians 2:9-12).

Many churches – denominations – were founded on altered truth, no doubt with good intentions; but, still they don’t keep the whole truth of God’s word (Romans 10:1-3; Acts 20:26-27). Whether this came about by not knowing the truth or by being influenced by more learned men really doesn’t matter. They’re not following the truth of God’s word and it’ll condemn them in the end (John 12:47-50).

What do you believe? Do you search the scriptures daily to see if what you’re being told is true? The Bereans were more noble because they were concerned with learning the truth rather than merely accepting the teaching of some man (Acts 17:11). The truth can be vastly different from what many will tell you. What your preacher tells you won’t ensure your salvation unless they’re teaching the true way to obtain salvation and go to heaven from God’s word.

When you compare what you believe with God’s word (the Bible) and the two are not in agreement, should you change God’s word or should you change your beliefs? If your faith cannot stand scrutiny, what good is it? If what you believe doesn’t please God, what does it profit you?

You know what you believe. What God wants and expects from you is in the Bible and that’s what matters. To please God, your beliefs have to agree with his word (Hebrews 11:6; Ephesians 5:8-10; 4:4-6; Acts 6:7 – note “one faith/THE faith”). By the way, we’re also to agree with one another based on the truth of God’s word (1 Corinthians 1:10-13; Galatians 1:6-9). This would put an end to the denominationalism that divides God’s church (Matthew 16:18).

The Bible is TRUTH (John 17:17; 14:6; 1:1-18). Your soul is on the line to believe that!

Leonard Lauriault is a member of the Church of Christ in Logan. Contact him at [email protected]