From time to time everyone needs directions on how to get somewhere. Many people have GPS now, so they always have the proper map to show the way. When it comes to religion we also need direction. God has given us the GPS we need to find our way to heaven – it is his word.
Man left to himself will – if he hasn’t already – develop his own plan for salvation. This is not right for several reasons. First, it is not necessary. God has the directions to follow and has given us examples of those who followed it.
Read the book of Acts. The people heard the word, they believed, were willing to repent of their sins, confessed that Jesus is the Son of God and were baptized for the remission of their sins.
Second, God has told us that his will must be obeyed. “Not everyone that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven” (Matt. 7:21).
Third, God provided the only sacrifice that can remove sin – Christ.
Fourth, the ideas of men vary, and one man’s idea is as good as the next. We will be judged according to the words of the Lord and not man’s ideas or notions. We must see the need for a true standard in religion.
Men understand the need for standards in everyday life. The mechanic knows there are standard sized parts, and the seamstress knows the number of inches in a yard and understands the need for a standard of measure. Why then is it not readily seen that there must be a standard in religion?
Some say that with the population of the world being so great, surely not everyone can follow the same way. We must remember, God is not a respecter of persons (Romans 2:10, 11; Acts 10:34, 35). Every person who is saved will be saved by following the standard God has given to man – his word.
The word of God – that is, the directions from God – is not to be altered by man. Notice how God in his word has told man this time and time again. “Ye shall not add unto the word which I command you, neither shall ye diminish ought from it, that ye may keep the commandments of the Lord your God which I command you” (Deut. 4:2). “Add thou not unto his words, lest he reprove thee, and thou be found a liar” (Prov. 30:6). “For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, if any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book: And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book” (Rev. 22:18, 19). We will not be judged by the words of men but by the words of the Lord.
Men seek to put forth their ideas and not follow the directions given by God. How tragic is this fact. Imagine someone having a sincere heart and being a zealous worker but believing a man and never learning the truth God desires them to know. “For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior; who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth” (I Tim. 2:3, 4).
Let us all look to the directions given by God – his word as he has given it.