Some people have no real convictions either because they have lost their faith or because they have very little faith. To them the Bible is only a book and not THE BOOK. We could expect them to say that all religions are okay. They think of religion as a psychological sedative, at most. They think that this life is the only life and if a man likes his superstitions, let him keep them. The church, according to these people, could well be a glorified country club, providing a pleasant social life for all ages. It does not matter to them which church sponsors the steak supper, the scout troop, or the ball team. They do not know of sin, salvation, and heaven. Their Christ is a man who died long ago and is still dead.
Christians of strong faith who love the Lord recognize His authority and the narrowness of truth (Matt. 28:18-20; Eph. 1:22,23; 4:1-6). Their earnest desire is to spread the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, to those who are willing to hear. Their teaching includes the many positive principles of righteousness, and they oppose anyone changing these principles from those taught in the scriptures. They believe that their own salvation and that of their friends may well depend on their earnest contention for the truth that is taught in the scriptures. This truth is described as the faith that was once for all delivered unto the saints (Jude 3).
"There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is above all, and thru all, and in you all" (Eph. 4:4-6). The book that is to be opened before us at the judgment reads as it has read since it was first given by the holy apostles and prophets who spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit.
Neither a sign on the church building nor the building beyond that sign can save us. Even the people that meet in that building cannot guarantee our salvation. Many of those who attend at that church may not be saved. We must do the will of the Father in heaven as the Master taught in Matt. 7:21. Each individual is on his or her own. It is true that the Lord adds to the church those who are being saved (Acts 2:47). We may be sure that He adds to His church of which He was speaking when He said, "I will build my church" (Matt. 16:18). He does not approve of churches with different doctrines and practices than what He taught. He would refer to these doctrines and practices as false and to those who advance them as false teachers. His word says, "Beware of false prophets." Our great task is to please Christ, Who will judge us all according to His word. He has already told us in His word what He expects so we will not be surprised at the final judgment. We must not allow living or dead relatives or friends or preachers or priests to hinder our searching of the scriptures. Study to be approved of God (2 Tim. 2:15). It takes more than claim or pretense, but the real divine plan for His church is beautiful.
Christ must come first in our choice of religion. Our Lord's comment is that "he that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me" (Matt. 10:32-39). We are to seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness (Matt. 6:33). We should free ourselves from all alliances that would hinder our doing the will of the Father who is in heaven. The way of truth and holiness is narrow, but it leads unto life (Matt. 7:13,14; Isa. 35:8; 2 Peter 2:2). Unfortunately, many people continue to speak evil concerning the way of truth. Sin is deceitful (Heb. 3:12,13). There are many false teachers of whom we should beware (Matt. 7:15; 1 John 4:1).
Parents and friends in error are not the only powerful influences that hinder our seeing the truth. The love of money and material things may win our love to the extent that this materialism becomes our God (Col. 3:5; Eph. 5:5; 1 Tim. 6:7-12). This is a pleasure-mad world seeking money at any price, even at the loss of the soul (Matt. 16:26). This pleasure is only for the moment, and heaven is lost by the worship of this idol. We must not be too busy in the rush for money and pleasure to worship the God who made us.
Some people heartily agree that we must believe and obey the Bible, and they suppose that all preachers do believe and obey the Bible because they frequently read from it. One confused man told me of going to a religious discussion. He could hardly stand it, he said, because one speaker would get up and read his doctrine out of the Bible and the other would get up and deny it and also read from the Bible. Apparently these preachers were teaching opposite doctrines, so at least one was misusing the Bible. The word of God can be handled deceitfully (2 Cor. 4:2). The devil quoted scripture (Matt. 4:6). In situations where there is disagreement regarding Biblical teaching we must be able to use the righteous judgment which the Lord commands (John 7:24). "For every one that useth milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe. But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil" (Heb. 5:13,14).
We must remember that servants of the devil can use scripture out of context to prove whatever they desire to prove. No better proof of this exists than the misuse of the Old Testament scriptures prophesying the return of the Jews from captivity. Although the Jews actually returned from captivity hundreds of years ago as is described in the Old Testament books of Ezra and Nehemiah, this prophecy is still used to try to show that Christ will return to Jerusalem to establish an earthly kingdom. Some are deceived and say, "It's in the Bible". We should properly handle the word of truth and study all aspects of what is under consideration before coming to any conclusion. Be not deceived!