August 1998

Editorial...

Why So Many Differences in Religious Matters Today !
By Mark J. Ward

It does not take a rocket scientist to realize that there are many differences in religious matters today. Yet, there is only ONE true and living God! And, there is but ONE Bible! Furthermore, God is NOT the author of such religious confusion...there is but ONE faith (Eph. 4:1-6)!

Some of these differences might seem quite "trivial" to many people. Other differences are quite significant in peoples' eyes. Have you ever given much thought as to WHY there are so many differences in religious matters today? Let us examine a listing of some of the reasons (certainly you may think of more, please email me with your thoughts) in this article.

DON'T FORGET...GOD WANTS UNITY IN RELIGIOUS BELIEF, TEACHING & PRACTICE

First, let us remember that there are some facts that we should hold in high esteem from God's Word that relate to God's Will that we be "united" in religious matters.

Please consider:

1. We are to strive to have unity in "belief, teaching and practice".
2. 2 John 9, I Jn 3:4, Col. 3:17, Jas. 2:12 and other passages would teach the necessity of being scriptural in all we do and teach. Eph 3:3,4 would teach that we CAN understand God's Word for us. IF we understand it correctly, we will be UNITED ON TRUTH on a subject matter
under consideration.

2 John 9-11 "Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son.
10 If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed: 11 For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds."

I John 3:4 "Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law."

Colossians 3:17 "And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him."

James 2:12 "So speak ye, and so do, as they that shall be judged by the law of liberty."

Ephesians 3:3-4 "How that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery; (as I wrote afore in few words, 4 Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ)"

In this article we shall discuss the following reasons for so much division in religious beliefs and practices today: growth, lack of study, lack of proper study, lack of proper interpretation of Scripture, deciding to just "agree to disagree", dishonest teachers, and the devil's temptations. Then, we shall close the article with some scriptural solutions to this serious, spiritual problem and a word of encouragement to not give up.

GROWTH

One of the reasons that people do not agree on Bible matters today is because of "growth". What does that have to do with this matter? Well, please consider the fact that since people grow throughout their spiritual development, we are not all at the same level of maturity and understanding of God's Word. This accounts for ~some of the differences~ that exist in religious matters today, but not all! To my knowledge, this is the only reasonable basis for differences in belief in religious matters today. However, this ignorance is certainly to be removed by proper growth in the lives of Christians!

The Bible teaches that there are babes, who feed on the milk of the Word (I Peter 2:1,2). Also, there are those who are able to digest the "meat" of God's Word (Hebrews 5:9-14). Please note that the Bible speaks of those who do not all have the same knowledge in Romans 14 and I Corinthians 8. The Hebrew writer, in chapter five, teaches clearly that it is wrong NOT TO GROW! Growing is demanded and expected by God of His children (2 Peter 3:18)!

Proper growth, therefore, in the area of understanding and making proper application of God's Will for our lives, will result in "unity" in doctrine and practice. It is when we are not growing properly, that we are not removing the ignorance that God desires we remove in our walk with Him. Note that no matter how great our "zeal" is, if it is not "according to knowledge" (See Romans 10:1-3) we are lacking in our spirituality.

A LACK OF STUDY OF GOD'S WORD

Don't you know people who have been religious for many years who disagree? How can that be? Well, one reason may be that they do not study God's Word. Or, they do not study it as they should. Remember, there is a significant difference in "reading" and "studying" God's Word. A person may have read the Bible many times through. That is certainly commendable and impressive. But if proper study habits and discipline are not exercised, the result can be error!

Some people whom we would consider to be very "mature in the faith" have not necessarily spent enough time (quality and quantity) in a study of important Bible topics. Can you see how folks can disagree if they don't study God's Word properly? We are to "give diligence", which certainly includes studying, to show ourselves approved unto God (2 Timothy 2:15). The idea of a "workman" is used in the New Testament to depict one who is striving to understand God's message to man today. Let us all study more in the future than we have in the past. And let it get deeper as we progress spiritually.

IMPROPER UNDERSTANDINGS & INTERPRETATIONS

Still, others who are mature in the faith and have spent a considerable time in study of controversial matters, can ~honestly be mistaken~ in their disagreement/position/understanding. This is yet another reason why people differ today in religion. IF 10 people, for example, come to the "right conclusion" on a controversial matter, THEN they properly agree on that topic! But the converse of that statement is also true. And, please also note that just because a "majority" comes to a "conclusion" does not necessarily make that conclusion the right conclusion with God!

Much of the religious confusion today is due to improper interpretations of Scripture! This can result in damning error being taught that will, if followed, send precious souls to hell eternally!

One of the foundational principles on which this web site is built is the examination of religious beliefs that exist that need to be tested and warned against. Similarly, all that I teach or practice should receive the same treatment. An honest, truth-seeking heart will gladly change and conform to God's Will and forsake human inventions in doctrine and practice! Even some teachers and preachers in denominations, upon finding out they are in error, will come out from among the error and follow Christ in simple, New Testament Christianity!

May we all be of the mind and strength that we will change our lives and beliefs as necessary to please God above!

DECIDING ON "AGREEING TO DISAGREE"

Since some folks think they can get to heaven by merely "being sincere", they take a damnable, yet comforting, approach to "agreeing to disagree". This approach is best recognized by statements like, "Attend the church of your choice", "All roads lead to heaven", "God is too nice a God to send honestly mistaken people to hell", "As long as you believe in Jesus, you will be ok." You know what is wrong with each of the preceeding quotes? The BIBLE doesn't teach any such thing!

Please, dear readers! If you believe the "agree to disagree approach" be warned! It is high time to wake out of a damnable sleep! Let us all encourage each other to more spirituality and revive a keen interest in truth seeking! God will be pleased and we will benefit tremendously. Putting up walls that say, "You just believe your way and I'll believe mine" will not result in dissolving division. Such teaching actually promotes division of religious thought and practice! The Devil is well pleased with this approach. God is not.

DISHONEST TEACHERS

We certainly recognize that there are even those who are dishonestly wrong. These are debase and willfully sinful teachers who know better, but for whatever reasons, they continue. Some preach only for the money and know that they teach damning error. Others seek the praise of men rather than the praise of God. There are other reasons you may think of as well.

God will sort all this out in the final day! We hope that you do not encounter such teachers in the congregations where you attend.

THE DEVIL

Since we are in a spiritual warfare AGAINST the DEVIL , we must recognize that Satan would ever tempt us to believe error, to let our personal tastes affect some of our interpretation on various matters wrongly, to let the belief of "the majority of our brethren", or of our "favorite preacher" possibly sway us to believe certain things incorrectly, etc., etc.

We are also tempted to involve ourselves too much in things secular, thus taking away from study time.

SCRIPTURAL SOLUTIONS

All of the above must be put in the mix to properly answer the question "Why are there so many differences in religion today?" Let's decide now to take each subject matter and come to a knowledge of God's truth, and not ignore any topics of spiritual significance!

I contend that we must at least do the following to be headed in the right direction:

1. Study God's Word and meditate on it day and night (Ps. 119:97; Matthew 4:4).

2. Be able to establish Bible Authority for everything that we believe, teach, and practice (Col. 3:17).

3. Question others when we doubt the scripturalness of teaching and practices for which we can find no Bible Authority (I Thess. 5:21).

4. Have open discussion and clear dialogue, in the spirit of love, with those with whom we find ourselves in disagreement, seeking resolution to the division by a study of God's Word (Jude 3).

5. Put our faith in Jesus Christ and His Word only (Rom. 10:17; 17:17; John 8:32; I Cor. 2:1-5)! (No man living today has authority to change what God has instructed us to do in His Word.)

6. Test our own beliefs, listening to others' positions and argumentation in case we are wrong on a subject (2 Cor. 13:5; I Thess. 5:21). This is the type of spiritual exercise that will allow us to better make discernments as noted in Hebrews 5:9-14.

7. Become keenly aware that the Devil will tempt us to believe and practice error since he is after our souls (I Peter 5:8; I John 2:15-17). He also tempts us to divert ourselves away from things spiritual, and to put other things first (Matthew 6:33; 8:18-22).

DON'T GIVE UP!!!

The devil would also tempt us to throw up our hands and quit in frustration! Granted, it is very frustrating that there are so many religions practicing and teaching so many different things today! We must not ever give up in our spiritual race! We are to fight this temptation and continue to contend earnestly for the faith and provoke one another to love and good works (Jude 3; Hebrews 10:23ff).

I am benefitted greatly by open and frank discussion. It tests my beliefs, shows me wherein I need further study, teaches me wherein I need to improve as a communicator, teacher, and listener. Are you willing to study with me if you think I am wrong? Love for each other would demand us discuss our differences in light of eternity!

Please look at all this division in religion, generally speaking, as Satan wanting our souls and his wanting us to REMAIN in disagreement. Satan wants us to DO NOTHING to resolve the differences we have! Proper love and study with each other can work TOWARDS agreement! Growth, further study, spiritual exercise, and proper discernment will (potentially) bring more unity than not! Thanks for listening.

Email the Editor at markjward@yahoo.com