God, through Isaiah, appealed unto Israel saying, "Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the Lord, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon. For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts." He further declares, ". . . my word . . . shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it" (Isa. 55:7-11).

God's right to demand the sinner to "forsake his way" is His sovereign right! He is God. God's appeal in this matter for man to yield and submit is urged on the ground of heaven-wide differences between God and man and the thinking of God and man. Some were willing to admit the difference and stand corrected; others did not yield-the reason being their unwillingness to "let God be true and every man a liar" (Rom. 3:4).

God has plainly spoken to man. Man can understand what God has caused to be spoken to him (Eph. 3:2-6). It seems strange to the Almighty God could not reveal himself to man in as comprehensible language as man himself can speak. How can man speak plainer than his own Maker can? Yet, this is the very feeling one has having listened to some religious guides. They read aloud what the Bible says but it means nothing to them if they wish to engage in something contrary to it. With just a flip of the page the word of God is set aside and a human dogma substituted in its place. This is done without the slightest blush, but not with impunity! This incongruous action engaged by preachers and others is done in the name of righteousness! Who can believe it is right?

Jesus plainly says, "He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved" (Mk. 16:15, 16), but man says "He that believeth is saved and may be baptized if he wishes to do so." Both statements are not true. Which is right? The Bible says "availing prayers are for the righteous". (James 5:16), but preachers tell sinners to pray through to salvation. Which is right? Compare John 9:31 with this. God's way is true, right, workable. Try it and reject the dogmas of men for your blessings.

Truth Magazine XXII: 31, p. 503
August 10, 1978