Marvin L. Weir
We live in a world that is filled with religious confusion. Many people boldly state that it is impossible for all to understand the Bible alike. This reasoning simply fuels the cry, “That’s your interpretation, and this is my interpretation.” The majority of the religious world has decided that God expects people to interpret His Word differently. Thus, man-made denominations “agree to disagree” and convince themselves that they have attained Biblical unity. Such could not be farther from the truth! This false conclusion is, however, what keeps denominations in business. They agree to disagree and then graciously proclaim, “Attend the church of your choice.” And, all the while, most of these folks vigorously profess to believe the Holy Scriptures!
What about attending the church of God’s choice? Is anyone listening? Who do we worship? Who are we to glorify? Who are we to please? Who are we to obey? Is the answer to these questions man or God? One thing is absolutely certain; “…God is not a God of confusion…” (1 Cor. 14:33). He was not during the time the Corinthians were assembling together and neither is He the author of religious confusion today!
There is not a single denomination that believes the Word of God is settled in Heaven! Man-made churches have their annual conventions so they can “add to” and “take from” their creed books in an effort to placate those who are not that happy with their present teaching. They vote on whether or not to support abortion. They vote on whether or not to accept same sex marriages. They vote on whether or not they should
condemn homosexuality. They vote on whether or not women can serve the congregation as a preacher. They vote on whether or not to accept transgender people into their fellowship. Can these people who profess to believe the Bible not see the error of their way? Do they not see the fallacy of man-made churches?
The Word of God says, “For ever, O Jehovah, Thy word is settled in heaven” (Psa. 119:89). Is God’s Word decided or settled by a court of men? Absolutely not! Is God’s Word decided or settled by church leaders, boards, synods or conventions? Absolutely not! Is God’s Word decided or settled by what the majority of folks think? No, not at all! Listen again as the inspired Word speaks in stating, “For ever, O Jehovah, Thy word is settled in heaven.” The what and the where speak volumes to those who will listen and believe. What is settled? The Word of God! Where is it settled? In Heaven!
God’s Word was settled long before man ever decided to vote on it. All of the votes in the world cannot change or alter a single one of God’s Holy Scriptures. The folly of ignoring the Word of God is seen in Adam and Eve sinning and being cast from the garden (Gen. 3:1-19). Noah was blessed and his life spared because: “Thus did Noah; according to all that God commanded him, so did he” (Gen. 6:22). Moses taught the Israelites,
Ye shall observe to do therefore as Jehovah your God hath commanded you: ye shall not turn aside to the right hand or to the left. Ye shall walk in all the way which Jehovah your God hath commanded you, that ye may live, and that it may be well with you, and that ye may prolong your days in the land which ye shall possess” (Deut. 5:32-33).
Jesus pleaded, “If ye love me, ye will keep my commandments” (John 14:15). One is never given the option of changing God’s commandments! The apostle John said, “For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous” (1 John 5:3). The last book of the New Testament warns,
I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, if any man shall add unto them, God shall add unto him the plagues which 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 from the tree of life, and out of the holy city, which are written in this book (Rev. 22:18-19).
Friends, God’s Word is holy, just, pure and right! The Psalmist well said, “The sum of thy word is truth; and every one of thy righteous ordinances endureth for ever” (Psa. 119:160). One cannot by the process of voting change God’s truths! Even though man votes to change God’s truth, such does not occur. The apostle Paul sums it up quite well by saying, “God forbid: yea, let God be found true, but every man a liar…” (Rom. 3:4).
Can we all understand that 2+2=4? Can all agree on more complicated mathematical formulas? Yes! Can we all understand the Bible alike? Absolutely! The apostle Paul pleads, “Wherefore be ye not foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is” (Eph. 5:17). The Word of God states that all who love Him “must worship in spirit and truth” (John 4:24). Such is a simple task if the authority of Christ is honored (Matt. 28:18) and the truth accepted that God’s Word “is settled in heaven” (Psa. 119:89). The only choice man has is to respect the Word of God and follow it or to show disdain for it and change it!
Christ built His church as He desired it to be built (Matt. 16:18). The Lord only built one body [church] (Eph. 4:4) of which He is its head (Eph. 1:22-23). The Lord purchased His church with His blood (Acts 20:28). The Scriptures are clear in saying, “For other foundation can no man lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ” (1 Cor. 3:11).
Man needs to remember that God’s Word is settled in Heaven and that all the whims and wishes of men will never change a single one of God’s glorious truths!
