There is a great deal of knowledge to be gained from within the pages of the Holy Bible and too often we only look for the knowledge that we want to be aware of. Yet God, in his infinite wisdom, has given us a road map to ourselves deep in the pages of his Holy Word. It is here that we learn that "all have sinned and come short of the glory of God." (Rom. 3:23, 5:12) It is here that we understand that our carnal nature is the enemy of God and that the two war one against the other [Gal. 5:17, Eph. 2:14-16]. So many insights, so many helps for everyday life, yet because they don't scratch our itching ears we would rather seek a man's opinion and find out what carnality says we should do. This is a serious problem in the world of Christianity – the seeking of advice from someone or some place other than God himself.
Have we begun to think of ourselves as less than able to hear the voice of God ? "Perhaps," we say, "I am too simple to hear the Almighty, or I am too wicked to attend to his instruction." The fact is no man can instruct us in the will of God better than the word of God. We just have to be willing to hear what he is saying and realize that no matter how much of ourselves we must deny God is always right. There are no short cuts on the pathway to glory and there will be no detours along the highway of holiness [Isa. 35:8]. "Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it." (Matt. 7:14)
The "finding" is what we are lacking in this modern church era. We rely on another's road map while refusing to seek out our own. Yet, no one else's salvation will secure our names in the Lamb's book of life. It is our own decisions that will either gain us Heaven or guarantee our place in the lake of fire for eternity. The Word of God declares boldly that we must "work out your own salvation with fear and trembling." (Phil. 2:12)
Churches are wonderful places. They provide security, encouragement, and even a place to deepen our walks with God; yet, church alone is not salvation. It doesn't matter – at the end of days – how many services have we attended . . . it will not be noted the duration of our membership . . . and it will most definitely not be taken into consideration our denominational title. There will be no line for Baptist, no passageway for Apostolic's. The only thing that will matter in that great and terrible day of the Lord Jesus is whether our heart, life, soul, body, strength, and what ever else we are, has been submitted, covered, and purged with the blood of Christ Jesus. In that day there shall be "none save Jesus only." Let us therefore seek to be one with him and let us understand that except we be clothed upon with the very house of God [II Cor. 5] heaven will not be our final destination [Gal. 5:21]. |
