If the denominations are right then the Bible is wrong! The churches which men have built contradict the word of God in almost every aspect of their teaching. When someone or a group of people move into the mainstream of a denomination with a particular sin they are not willing to repent of, then the creed is adjusted to accommodate that person or group. The Bible is never consulted because it has been cast aside in the interest of satisfying the majority.

There is either a standard of right and wrong or there is none; we cannot have it both ways. For those who believe the Bible to be the infallible word of God, then the Bible is the Standard. The Bible claims to contain God's righteousness and those who do the righteousness of God are righteous (Rom. 1:16-17; 1 Jn. 3:7). Now, if the Bible is right, then its claims to contain the righteousness of God are right and those who practice the righteousness that it teaches are right.

The denominations claim to follow the Bible but they cast it aside and trample it under their feet as soon as they see it condemns a practice they are not willing to give up. They claim it is an outdated book that fit in a particular part of history but has no real relevance to our day. The Bible contends that "the faith" has been revealed and confirmed as the complete will of God (Jude 3; Heb. 2:3-4). Furthermore, a curse is placed on those who alter its teaching in any form whatsoever (Gal. 1:8-9). Either we believe the Bible or we do not believe it. Either we obey all the gospel and are righteous as it teaches or we disobey and are unrighteous.

Jesus taught that worship which originates with man either by man-made commandments or traditions is vain (Matt. 15:8-9). Worship that is pleasing and acceptable to God must be offered from a sincere heart according to the truth revealed in his word (Jn. 4:24). We are also not to call Jesus our Lord unless we are obeying the commandments which he has given (Lk. 6:46). Jesus gives us a glimpse of the Judgment where there will be many people who claim him as their Lord, but in actuality they have been workers of iniquity (Matt. 7:21-23).

What's the answer? The answer is to forsake the commandments, teachings, traditions, and assumptions of man and obey God. We may not know the reason behind every command that God has given in the Bible, but we do know that we will be rewarded for faithful obedience to all of his commands and punished for disobedience (2 Thess. 1:7-9). We also know that every thing God requires of us is for our own good (Deut. 6:24).

Guardian of Truth XXXV: 5, p. 140
March 7, 1991