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What Must I Do To Be Saved?

  

"Does It Matter What I Believe?"

Jarrod Jacobs

Many ask this question in reference to religious matters. Some will try to say that it does not matter what we believe as long as we are honest and sincere about religious issues. Let us look to the Bible and see the consequences of that reasoning.

If, in religion, it does not matter what you and I believe, why did God say, "Thou shalt have no other gods before me" (Ex. 20:3)? Why did God not allow those Jews to worship the "god of their choice"? Isn't it possible that there were some Canaanites and heathens that were sincere and honest in their infant sacrifices, mutilation of their bodies, and other forms of "worship" to their gods? Yet, God did not allow such a thing (Josh. 24:20). Why would that be unless God expected worship to be to Him and Him alone, no excuses and no exceptions?

If, in religion, it does not matter what you and I believe, why did Jesus condemn the Pharisees and the Sadducees for their behavior? Let us notice Matthew 15:9. There Jesus said, "But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men." Does this sound like Jesus does not care how we worship him? Is there a possibility that some may believe that they are truly worshipping God, but in reality it is "in vain"? Yes!

Another passage we ought to look at is found in Matthew 22:29. Jesus condemned the Sadducees at this time, and said, "Ye do err, not knowing the scriptures, nor the power of God." How could these people "err" if it does not matter what you and I believe on religious matters?

Let us look at an early teacher and preacher of the gospel. A man by the name of Stephen. This space will not allow us to print the entire text, but please read Acts 7 so you can understand the entire context. Toward the end of Acts 7, Stephen condemns the Jews for refusing to believe that Jesus is the Son of God, and the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy. Please notice what happened, "When they heard these things, they were cut to the heart, and they gnashed on him with their teeth...And cast him out of the city, and stoned him" (Acts 7:54, 58). Does this reaction sound consistent with people who have heard words to the effect, "I'm O.K. and you're O.K. -- There are many roads to the same goal"?

Many times, Paul would cause a riot in the cities he visited. Why was this? This was because he taught "THE gospel of Christ" (Rom. 1:16)!! He taught that there was not another gospel of Christ. Therefore, you will follow the one true gospel, or a perverted gospel, period (Gal. 1:6-9). Paul caused a stir among the Philippians because he was accused of teaching "customs, which are not lawful for us to receive, neither to observe, being Romans" (Acts 16:21). Does this sound like Paul taught that there are "many ways to serve God"? In Ephesus Paul, "hath persuaded and turned away much people, saying that they be no gods, which are made with hands" (Acts 19:26). Why would he say this to such an honest and sincere group of people who were just trying to worship their goddess the best way they knew how? How do we know that these people were honest and sincere in their beliefs about the goddess Diana? For one thing, they shouted "Great is Diana of the Ephesians" for two solid hours to show their devotion to that idol (Acts 19:34). Paul did not teach these things in Ephesus alone, but everywhere that Paul went he taught the same gospel (Acts 19:26; I Cor. 4:17).

If it is true that God will accept you as long as you are honest and sincere in what you believe, then why was Paul converted in the first place? He was the epitome of an "honest and sincere," "religious" person, fully persuaded in his own mind (Acts 22:3, 23:1, 26:9-10; Gal, 1:13-14; Phil. 3:4-6). But it was not enough, was it??

My friend, what we believe religiously, matters! What we believe concerning religious matters will determine whether we go to Heaven or Hell! This is how serious it is. We are not on "different roads to the same goal"! Now, we may be on different roads, but rest assured that one road leads to Heaven and the other road leads to Hell (Matt. 7:13-14). These are our choices!! When people declare that it does not matter what you believe as long as you are honest and sincere, they are teaching something completely foreign to the Scriptures. We must follow what the Bible and the Bible alone says on matters of religion, as well as in every other area of our life (Col. 3:17)!! If people will not give us book, chapter, and verse for their actions, we need not listen (I Pet. 4:11). The next time someone asks the question "Does it matter what I believe religiously...?" How will YOU answer them??

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