There is an old saying that says, “The road to Hell is paved with good intentions.” Whatever the truth may be in that saying, it is absolutely true that way to remain lost is by failing to follow the explicit instructions in the Bible on how to be saved. It is not difficult to understand how the method to salvation is so misunderstood. Why do they not believe is wrapped up in the refusal of the hearer to lay aside what they think is correct in order to hear the word of God clearly and plainly. The teaching of doctrines for salvation that aren’t found in the Bible is as fatal as not teaching it at all. Has it not entered the minds of those who teach the Bible that had God decided that anything goes on how to be saved, he would have said so? The question you you must ask yourself is, "Why do I not believe God?"

In Matthew Chapter 17, Jesus took Peter, James and John up on the mountain. They were discussing building three tabernacles, one for Jesus, one for Moses and one for Elias. As Peter spoke, he was interrupted, verse 5. While he yet spake, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them: and behold a voice out of the cloud, which said, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him. Verse 5 is similar to Matthew 3:17, when God said, And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. This was after Jesus was baptized and came up out of the water in verse 16. Previously, John said to Jesus that he (John) needed to be baptized by Jesus. The answer Jesus gave in verse 15 is easy to understand, Suffer it to be so now: for thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness.

The word on this matter is clear. Jesus was baptized to fulfill righteousness; God said that he was pleased with His Son; and God told Peter, James and John to listen to Jesus. Yet, with all the evidence that is found in the Bible, man continues to invent ways to meet Jesus and be saved, ignoring the word of God which gives the pathway. In Matthew 4:4 when Jesus was tempted by the devil, Jesus said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.  The mouth of God said hear ye him, so it stands to reason that those who would be saved must listen to the gospel in its entirety on what to do to be saved. Jesus taught it in Matthew 28:19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:

A very popular line spoken by many preachers that supposedly will bring salvation is “Ask Jesus Christ to come into your heart and forgive you of your sins.”  The challenge is given to anyone to find a verse in the Bible that teaches that line as the way to be saved. Jesus had a few things to say to the Pharisees for their false teachings concerning the law. He said as recorded by Matthew in 15:9 But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men. It is submitted to the readers that any instruction that can’t be verified by scripture is a false teaching and just as erroneous as the teachings of the Pharisees. God didn’t say listen to the Pharisees and neither did he say listen to the preachers who make up doctrine.

In Paul’s letter to Titus concerning false teaching, we find his words, Not giving heed to Jewish fables, and commandments of men, that turn from the truth. (Titus 1:14) They come into my heart and forgive me is a modern fable and a commandment of men who, not only have turned from the truth, but also deny the path to salvation. Jesus forgave all on the cross once for all of mankind, Hebrews 10:10, By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. The offering was for sin once for all time and no amount of asking for forgiveness will cause Jesus to forgive anyone. He already has done so and the instruction is found in Acts 2:38. The words are "repent and be baptized" to claim the forgiveness that Jesus made effective on the cross, not come into my heart and forgive me.

If the foregoing seems harsh, it is the word of God that is the truth. The question that each person must ask himself or herself is, “Why do I not believe God?” Hopefully, the answer will lead to repentance and obedience to the gospel of Christ.

© 06-28-2008 DEC

Next Lesson Why Do I Not  Believe God? Part II