~Galatians 2:7-8 But contrariwise, when they saw that the gospel of the uncircumcision was committed unto me, as the gospel of the circumcision was unto Peter; (For he that wrought effectually in Peter to the apostleship of the circumcision, the same was mighty in me toward the Gentiles:)

It doesn’t take but a few minutes in Galatians to see that Paul was the Apostle to the Gentiles and not Peter. I was raised Roman Catholic and was taught that Peter was the first pope. When one reads the Scriptures, one sees in today’s text that Peter was called to be the apostle to the Jews, not the Gentiles.  There are three more verses where Paul confirms who he was:

~Romans 11:13 For I speak to you Gentiles, inasmuch as I am the apostle of the Gentiles, I magnify mine office:

~1 Timothy 2:7 Whereunto I am ordained a preacher, and an apostle, (I speak the truth in Christ, and lie not;) a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and verity.

~2 Timothy 1:11 Whereunto I am appointed a preacher, and an apostle, and a teacher of the Gentiles.

Just one doubt should cause a catholic to wonder what else is in the Scriptures that is contrary to what they’ve been taught! This is just a gentle prod to whomever is reading today and has been searching! Isn’t it better to believe God rather than a person? It is God who will judge in the end. No one will be there to hold your hand when you stand in the judgment before Jesus Christ and He asks you why He should let you into His Heaven.

Peter, himself, said to obey God and not man!

~Acts 5:29 Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men.

Use your gray matter and think for yourself instead of relying on someone else to determine the most important decision of your life! Where you spend eternity is not something that is best left in someone else’s hands! Eternity is a LONG time to regret a wrong decision!

~Proverbs 14:12 There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.

This thought was so important to the writer that he felt the need to state it again:

~Proverbs 16:25 There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.

If you were to buy a house, would you do so without a home inspection? It would be foolish, wouldn’t it? After all, what you see on the surface is one thing. But what lurks in the walls? What does the plumbing look like? Does the roof have leaks? The average home buyer is not an expert in these fields and, therefore, should hire a home inspector to look over the house to ensure that the home buyer’s money is well invested.

What about life in general? Do you take everything at face value without checking things out? I’ve never seen an investor pick a stock out of a hat and then just invest. That would be insane! Why, then, is eternity looked upon with such flippancy? Man’s tendency from the beginning has been to do what feels right rather than obey God. You can read about Cain’s reaction in the Word. To top it off, Cain didn’t repent even after the Lord pointed out his error! Cain’s hard heart prevailed.

I’ve often thought that today’s text was best suited for the unsaved and the direction they were going. But I also see it as a warning to the believer as well. Think about it with me for a moment. How many times have you taken the easy way out as a Christian? How many times have you followed after the lust of your flesh rather than what you knew to be right? Today’s text cautions the believer to be careful to follow after what seems right. Our hearts are perfectly wicked and we need to stay in the Word.

~Jeremiah 17:9 The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?

The Word keeps us on the right path! We do not have to be deceived. We are deceived when we aren’t guided by the blessed light of God’s Word!

~Psalms 119:105 Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.

When we compromise – when we fail to study God’s Word – we fall into the description of the man who went down the path that “seemed” right to him. We cannot rely on our own flesh to guide us. Jeremiah made it clear that we should not depend on our “feelings.” We cannot go by the famous quote “Follow your heart” because our heart desires to do wickedness. We must allow the precious Holy Spirit to guide us in all things! We cannot trust our hearts to lead us for our sin nature will surely guide us down the wrong path. The best thing a Christian can do is to be in God’s Word daily – seeking His face daily – seeking His will daily. There is a way that seems right unto a man – but God’s Word will light your path and it will be the right way!

~Romans 1:29-32 Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers, Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, Without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful: Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.

Today’s text pretty much covers all types of sins. The last verse states that those who know God’s judgment and still commit such things are worthy of death. Furthermore, those who are guilty of supporting those sins are just as guilty of the same judgment! Wow! Do you see this?  Are you guilty of this, Christian?  Take a step back and look at your life.

When you go to the polls and vote, do you vote for someone who will support the abortion agenda yet you are against abortion?  You’re just as guilty as if you had done the abortion yourself!  Do you have friends or relatives who live a life of sodomy and they don’t know your stand on the issue?  Have you confronted them about it and told them they are living in sin?  If not, you’re as guilty of that sin!  How about couples who are living together?  Do you have friends you entertain in your own home and have not spoken to them about this?  How about if it’s your own child?

I believe you understand where I am coming from today.  If you think back on the morality of our beloved country 50 years ago, none of the sins I’ve just outlined were even spoken about in public, let alone encouraged or looked upon with complacency!  No – in fact, quite the opposite.  What has changed?  The Bible says that God never changes so His judgment will still be dispersed upon this wicked generation just as much as it was 50 years ago.

~Heb 13:8 Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.

God never changes! What has changed is the heart and mind of man.  Man has allowed the sin of this world to harden his heart. After all, the more you sin the harder your heart becomes to sin and the less you are convicted of it.  What God considered sin thousands of years ago is still sin today.  What God considered an abomination thousands of years ago is still an abomination today!  It is man who has strayed and has hardened his heart to the point where sin is no longer considered sin! To abort one’s child was considered murder – now it’s considered an inconvenience! To be a homosexual was considered an abomination to God – now it’s a lifestyle.

I was having this same discussion with a dear friend last week. I told her that when I was a young teenager, the world was disgusted by the sodomite’s sin! Today the world is not even mildly annoyed – in fact, laws are being passed to protect them.  Those who speak out against it are considered haters and charged with a hate crime. The world gets further and further away from the Word of God. Should the Lord tarry His return, I would not be surprised that in 50 years, pedophiles will no longer be viewed as disgusting and horrible sinners but will be an accepted lifestyle of society – or it will be stated that it is a “disease” – or they will say ‘the poor dear is sick’!  Oh deceived generation of blind hard-hearted sinners! This generation no longer recognizes sin but, instead, calls sin “good” – all under the title of “tolerance”!!

~Isaiah 5:20-21 Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter! Woe unto them that are wise in their own eyes, and prudent in their own sight!

Judgment is coming. God does not change, dear soul. God will judge according to His Word, not according to what feels good or what other people say is right. How can one say he is a Christian when he is committing sin that God has said is an abomination or he is supporting the very same sin? Turning a blind eye is equal to supporting that sin – can’t you see that? How can you allow yourself to be so deceived by the god of this world, the devil, the father of lies? It is a choice that you will have to make and I pray your choice is made before it is too late.

If you are a Christian, then act like one! Stand up for Christ and what He has taught us. Don’t try to smooth ruffled feathers in a family when there is sin running rampant. Stay away from it – do not support it – do not condone it! And worse of all, do not be silent! The devil has his way with his children.  Why not allow the Holy Spirit of God to have His way with you?  How will they (the world) know what the Bible says on this topic except you tell them? Don’t sit on the fence – after all, the fence belongs to the devil. That’s what he wants you to do!  Jump off that fence and run as fast as you can to the Word of God! Then stop being ashamed of what He has taught you and start shouting His judgment from the rooftop!

~Proverbs 16:2 All the ways of a man are clean in his own eyes; but the LORD weigheth the spirits.

We all think we’re “O.K.” We all think we’re “not that bad.” However, it’s not how we view ourselves that will determine our eternity. It is how God views us. the Word says that the Lord weighs our spirit. This does not mean that our sins will be placed on one side of the balance and our good deeds on the other – and whichever one weighs more will determine where we spend eternity.

The Word clearly states, in Jesus’ own words, that a man must be born twice to be able to be saved. The first time we are born, we come from water through the birth canal. The second time a man must be born, or born again, is of the Spirit.

~John 3:5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.

At the moment of salvation, we receive the Holy Spirit and we are “sealed” by God, Himself! And if that isn’t enough, we are sealed with promise!

~Ephesians 1:13 In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,

God is not a liar like man. When He makes a promise, He keeps it!

Numbers 23:19 God is not a man, that he should lie; neither the son of man, that he should repent: hath he said, and shall he not do it? or hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good?

Nothing we do can ever make us clean enough to be “good enough” to get into Heaven. The decision is up to you. You must be born again (John 3:3) – you must have that second birth so you do not have to taste the second death.

~Revelation 21:8 But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.

~Psalm 10:13 Wherefore doth the wicked contemn God? he hath said in his heart, Thou wilt not require it.

There is a price to pay for sin. Sometimes the cost is right here on earth. For example, smoking has been proven to cause cancer and many other illnesses. Continuing to smoke is no better than a rebellious child sticking his tongue out when he doesn’t want to do something! The cost for smoking occurs right here during the smoker’s lifetime, some sooner than later. But there is a cost in the end.

Many do not see where they are heading. They just keep walking down the same dangerous path to destruction.

~Proverbs 14:12 There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.

Some continue on their destructive path not caring of the consequences. Others don’t care because they don’t believe in God and, therefore, do not fear repercussion. How foolish!

Ps 14:1 The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. They are corrupt, they have done abominable works, there is none that doeth good.

This fool says he would rather sin, have fun and go to Hell than to go to Heaven. This fool only thinks for the moment and lives for a moment’s pleasure. He does not dwell on the future or the permanence of eternity – just the here and now. How sad!

I would rather be born again and look forward eternity in Heaven than to take a chance and live like the devil and spend eternity in a burning lake of fire. I merely have to think back on a burn on my hand from a hot iron, the pain I suffered and I know that the latter is not where I want to be.

God will require a payment for man’s sins!  Yes, He is a loving God but He is also a righteous God who will bring judgment.  The man who does not want to accept God’s plan of salvation through Jesus Christ will stand before Him one day and give an account for each and every sin. Without Jesus Christ as his Saviour, this man will go into eternity to burn, writhe and suffer pain and darkness forever!

~Revelation 21:8 But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.
Rev 21:8 (KJV)

Without Jesus Christ, one has no hope to ever gain entrance into Heaven. You say you don’t care? How very sad! Your caring or not does not eliminate the fact that you will die one day. EVERYONE dies. Death is a certainty. You have everything to lose if I am right and you are wrong … but you have everything to gain if you heed my warning. Allah, Buddha, Confucius, good works, etc., will not get you into Heaven. Jesus said,

Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

There is NO other way but by Jesus. He is so controversial, and has been since His first appearance. Religions do not argue amongst themselves over other gods – but they sure do about Jesus Christ. He IS the Saviour. He IS the Messiah. He IS coming again with judgment on His lips. What will you do with this information?

~Mark 1:15 And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel.

~Psalm 100:1 A Psalm of praise. Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all ye lands.
2 Serve the LORD with gladness: come before his presence with singing.
3 Know ye that the LORD he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.
4 Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name.
5 For the LORD is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations.

Psalm 100 is filled with instruction for the believer! I absolutely love how we are instructed on how to conduct ourselves and our spiritual life.

1. Praise your Lord:  The words from our mouths should be a joyful noise, not sounds that grate on people’s last nerve.  I’m sure you’ve been around Christians who appear as though they have been sucking on lemons!  Nothing is ever right for them.  They are in a constant state of complaining.  This is not becoming of a Christian.  Why would the unsaved world want what the complainer has?  I think of Matthew 5:13 when the Lord Jesus said we are the salt of the earth.  Salt causes one to be thirsty and our testimony should cause the unsaved to thirst after what we have, which is salvation.  Do you really think your complaining will cause the unsaved to thirst after what you have?  What kind of testimony is a complaining spirit to your Saviour?  Who would want Him after listening to you?  Let’s rejoice!  Let’s praise the Lord who saved us from burning for eternity in the Lake of Fire!  Praise the Lord!  Sing to Him hymns of praise and rejoice!  Rejoice, Rejoice oh Christian, lift up your voice and sing!  Eternal hallelujahs to Jesus Christ, the King!!
2. Serve your Lord:  Everything we do should be a joy because we are His!  Jesus told His disciples that if they gave a drink of water to someone who thirsted, it was as if they had given it to Him.  If we did each of our tasks in our daily lives as though we were doing it for our Lord, wouldn’t our attitude be different?
3. Acknowledge your Lord:  We must remember who God is and it is He that created us!  We can’t rule the Master – the sheep can’t lead the Shepherd!  We must acknowledge that He is our Maker and He is our leader and we must follow.  When we acknowledge this daily in our prayer life, it is easier to follow.  It is when we try to do things on our own without His direction or His help that we find ourselves in trouble!
4. Thank your Lord:  Everywhere we go we should be ready to share what God has done for us!  A grateful heart leaves no room for bitterness or discontent.  A grateful heart is ever ready to praise the Lord for all that He has done.  Some have to dig deep before they can find one tiny morsel of thankfulness!  How sad is that?  When the heart is thankful, the Lord is glorified!
5. Embrace your Lord:  As you meditate on the Lord’s attributes, you realize just how small you are and just how big He is.  Our sinful nature is in need of His goodness and mercy!  Praise the Lord that His truths endure to all generations!  Praise the Lord that He loved us so much that He was willing to pay the price for our sins!  Oh what great love!  I know I can speak for many who say that once I enter Heaven’s gates, it will be His neck that I hug first thing so I can thank Him and praise Him for what He has done for me!  For without His mercy, I would lost for eternity!

He Lives!

Rejoice, rejoice, O Christian, lift up your voice and sing
Eternal hallelujahs to Jesus Christ the King!
The hope of all who seek Him, the help of all who find,
None other is so loving, so good and kind.

Chorus
He lives, He lives,
Christ Jesus lives today!
He walks with me and talks with me
Along life’s narrow way.
He lives, He lives,
Salvation to impart!
You ask me how I know He lives?
He lives within my heart.

~Proverbs 10:23 It is as sport to a fool to do mischief: but a man of understanding hath wisdom.

The unsaved world does not think about living righteously. It is the furthest thing from their mind. In fact, and I speak from past experience, they cannot wait until the next moment they can do evil. Of course, at the time, I was not thinking that what I was doing was evil. All I cared about was that I had great pleasure in doing them!

The Word has so much to say on this subject. The wicked are explained with great accuracy in the Book of Proverbs. I did not think of myself as wicked prior to my salvation. In fact, I thought I was a pretty good person. But had I measured my life with the “yardstick of the Ten Commandments,” I would have seen that I did not measure up at all!

~Proverbs 4:16 For they sleep not, except they have done mischief; and their sleep is taken away, unless they cause some to fall.

I took great pleasure in my sin and loved it when I could partake with others! During the work week, we would be busy planning what we could do on the weekend. Our plans always led to sin!

~Proverbs 6:18 An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief,

I am so thankful that one day a dear friend came to visit and told me the wonderful news about salvation. It was not something I had ever heard before. My religious experiences revolved around “being good” and the burden was too great because I could never be good enough! Christ’s salvation is free but we must be willing to repent from the lifestyle we are currently living. To blab a prayer-ette and remain in the same lifestyle does not salvation bring! Jesus said to “repent and believe the Gospel,” (~Mark 1:15). There must be a repentance or there will never be any change!

~2 Thessalonians 5:17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

I have a friend who has been a born-again Christian for some time. She has been led by another to follow the ways of Messianic Jews. My spirit was not right within me and I felt unrest when I first heard about her “change.” So I began researching the Messianic Jewish beliefs. Having been raised catholic, I discovered many correlations between Judaism and that of Catholicism. Catholicism bases many of its rituals to Jewish Laws. It amazes me that a born-again believer would want to have the yoke of religion’s burden once again placed upon his shoulders!

I was led to Paul’s letter to the Galatians, which is an excellent book covering this very topic. By the time I got to the third chapter, I discovered that one who lives under the Law lives under a curse.

~Galatians 3:10 For as many as are of the works of the Law are under the curse: for it is written, Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the Law to do them.

Jesus redeemed us from this curse so why would we want to go back to it? He became a curse so that we no longer had to live under that curse of the Law! The Law taught us that we cannot keep it all because we are sinful, therefore, we are cursed.

~Galatians 3:13 Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the Law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree:

What was the purpose of the Law if it was a curse then? The Law is our schoolmaster, a teacher if you will. It shows people they are sinners! When people realize they are sinners and and cannot keep the whole Law, it then points them to faith in Christ. After salvation by faith, they are not under the Law any longer.

~Galatians 3:24-25 Wherefore the Law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith. But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster.

The born again believer receives the Holy Spirit at salvation, He lives within the believer and the believer is led by Him, therefore, he is no longer under the Law.

~Galatians 5:18 But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the Law.

The Law was not given to produce righteousness. The Law was given to show man he was a sinner in need of salvation. If any righteousness can come from keeping the Law, then Christ died for nothing! Not only Judaism practices this but Catholicism as well. The rituals that are entrenched in religion add a burden that is unbearable and these Laws just cannot be kept without failure! At best, the individual who is attempting to keep the Law realizes how futile an attempt it is.

Gal 3:21 I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the Law, then Christ is dead in vain.

We live under the Dispensation of Grace, not the Law. The born-again Jew has been released from the Law to live under grace. This grace given by God helps us to live righteously. Christ brought an end to that Law and brought forth righteousness.

~Romans 7:6 But now we are delivered from the Law, that being dead wherein we were held; that we should serve in newness of spirit, and not in the oldness of the letter.

~Romans 10:4 For Christ is the end of the Law for righteousness to every one that believeth.

Christians are not under the Law but under Grace – but this Grace is in no way a license to sin. This is where confusion sets in for most churches today. There seems to be a lack of understanding concerning what Grace is. Grace is not passing over our sins nor is it merely unmerited favor. Grace is a God-given ability to live righteously.

~Philippians 2:13 For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.

This is grace – God’s power within us to stay away from sin! Christians are called to a higher standard under grace than that of the Law. It’s not an open door to sin – it’s not a free ticket to do all things because we have an ability to do so! In fact, it’s quite the opposite. Jesus said that the adulterer was guilty of that sin under the Law but under Grace, you are guilty of adultery if you even look at a woman to lust after her (~Matt. 5:28). The Law says you are guilty of murder if you kill someone. But under Grace, if you even hate your brother you are guilty of murder (~1 Joh. 3:15). The Law says you have sinned if you bow down to an idol. But under Grace, if you are covetous you are guilty of idolatry (~Colossias. 3:5). Does this sound like the Christian has a license to sin? Absolutely not! We are called to a higher standard! Many today have misinterpreted this Grace and say it is freedom and we can do whatever we want! Do you not see how deceived this is? Is it any wonder that some Christians are looking to a more righteous form of living?

God’s people were given Laws that they could not keep because of their sinful nature. They were not given the power to keep the Law, that is, they were not given Grace as Christians have under the New Covenant.

Why would a born again Jew want to go back to the things of the Law? Why would a born-again Christian wish to convert and become a Messianic Jew? Jewish Law had more than 600 Laws they had to follow – these were not just the Ten Commandments. The Word says:

~Galatians 4:9-11 After that ye have known God, or rather are known of God, how turn ye again to the weak and beggarly elements, whereunto ye desire again to be in bondage? Ye observe days, and months, and times, and years. I am afraid [for] you, lest I have bestowed upon you labour in vain.

If we are led by the Holy Spirit are we under the Law? No. “If ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the Law” (Gal. 5:18).

Why would one want to follow after the Old Covenant when it was not faultless?

~Hebrews 8:7 For if that first covenant had been faultless, then should no place have been sought for the second.

Jesus Christ brought us a better covenant!

~Hebrews 8:6 But now hath he obtained a more excellent ministry, by how much also he is the mediator of a better covenant, which was established upon better promises.

My friend, if you are a born again Christian and have been led by others to follow after the Law, please study your Bible – especially Galatians. Paul, a Pharisee, would have been the perfect example if this were to be the life of a Christian. However, the Hall of Faith in Hebrews says Abraham, etc. lived by faith – these were all before the Law – and they were accounted as righteous. Be careful who you follow! Don’t be deceived. Christ saved us from the works of the Law to be born again under grace. We are called to higher standards than the Law and are given grace to live by those standards! Be careful!

~1 Peter 1:4 To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you,

When I repented of my sin and received the Gospel of Jesus Christ, I received an inheritance! That inheritance is eternal life in Heaven with my Saviour. An inheritance was given to me by Christ Himself because He purchased me with His own blood! Furthermore, today’s text says that this inheritance is incorruptible!

Noah Webster’s 1828 dictionary defines incorruptible as:

1. That cannot corrupt or decay; not admitting of corruption. Thus gold, glass, mercury, are incorruptible. Spirits are supposed to be incorruptible. Our bodies shall be changed into incorruptible and immortal substances.
2. That cannot be bribed; inflexibly just and upright.

This sense of permanence is encouraging to the believer! I wondered what other verses contained this word in the Bible.

~1 Corinthians 9:25 And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible.

~1 Corinthians 15:52 In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.

~1 Peter 1:23 Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.

Four times the word incorruptible is used. We learn that our inheritance of eternal life is incorruptible – we receive an incorruptible crown – at Rapture, we will receive an incorruptible body – and we are born again from an incorruptible seed by the Word of God.

What an encouragement for the true born-again believer! When God gives us something incorruptible – it is permanent. There is nothing we can do to revoke it. We are sealed – we have inherited eternal life, not by anything we have done but by everything Christ has done for us! Praise the Lord! Since my inheritance is not based on my works but Christ’s, I can be assured that it is settled! He entered my heart and His Spirit resides within, never to let me go! No wonder He convicts me and His desire is to mold me into someone that will bring Him glory! Yielded to His leading I must stay!

~Hebrews 13:5b … for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.

~Mark 7:8-9, 13 For laying aside the commandment of God, ye hold the tradition of men, as the washing of pots and cups: and many other such like things ye do. And he said unto them, Full well ye reject the commandment of God, that ye may keep your own tradition. (13) Making the word of God of none effect through your tradition, which ye have delivered: and many such like things do ye.

Having been raised Roman Catholic, I was raised and rooted in tradition.  I did not care if those traditions were based on the Bible or not.  After salvation I noticed that some of the catholic church’s tradition was according to the Word of God and some of it was not. As a catholic, we were taught that whatever the catholic church, the pope and magisterium established as dogma became equal to God’s Word.

The Vatican II council decided that “the living teaching office of the Church” (the latin term for this is magisterium) has the authority to interpret historical documents and make them equal with the Word of God. “It is clear therefore, that sacred tradition, sacred Scripture, and the teaching authority of the Church, in accord with God’s most wise design, are so linked and joined together that one cannot stand without the others.” (“Dogmatic Constitution on Divine Revelation” (Dei Verbum), Documents of Vatican II, par. 10, p. 118) The catholic church elevated sacred tradition to be equal with Scripture and, as a result, took away from the authority of Scripture.   Scripture would no longer be the only source man would turn to when trying to find truth.

When one wants to know about repairing a Chevrolet Malibu, one must go to the Chevrolet Malibu manual, not the Toyota Corolla manual. So it stands to reason that if we want to know if something is “scriptural,” we must go to the Scriptures to verify it.  One can turn to historical documents but how is one to know that those documents are in line with Scriptures?  Following after tradition is not recorded in God’s Word as being equal to the Word of God. In fact, each time tradition is mentioned in the New Testament, it correlates it with God’s Word and to what Christ taught!  The verses that referred to the traditions of men were penned with disdain – and warning was given to stay away from those traditions.

~Colossians 2:8 Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.

The Apostles did not have all the New Testament at the time they walked this earth and were spreading the Gospel. It was important, therefore, that believers were taught to follow in their footsteps after their testimony in Christ Jesus! They had an overwhelming responsibility to make sure that they taught others what Christ had taught them. They had an overwhelming responsibility to walk blamelessly so that new Christians would be taught correctly – according to what Christ taught them. They were given power from on high to pen the Word of God exactly how the Holy Spirit wanted them to write.

~2 Thessalonians 3:6 Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye withdraw yourselves from every brother that walketh disorderly, and not after the tradition which he received of us.

Once the Apostles began to penn the Word through epistles and Gospels, they continued to teach that new Christians hold fast to those “traditions” that they were taught by the Apostles (in word and through their letters).  These were traditions that were in line with Christ’s words. These were traditions that today are clearly in God’s Word and were taught by Christ!  That is why they were encouraged to follow after them – but only as long as they followed after Christ and His Word.  If there were any contradiction, God’s Word was truth and they were to follow that truth!

~2 Thessalonians 2:15 Therefore, brethren, stand fast, and hold the traditions which ye have been taught, whether by word, or our epistle.

The catholic church takes these verses which speak of tradition and try to combine it with their church’s authority through the pope and the magisterium with an end result of man-made traditions accepted as Gospel truth. Unless you have a ruler to draw a straight line, it is impossible to draw a perfectly straight line by hand. Unless you have the Ruler, Jesus Christ and His Word, it is impossible for you to have Truth. Even in Old Testament times, people recognized the man of God and what was spoken by him was truth.

~1 Kings 17:24 And the woman said to Elijah, Now by this I know that thou art a man of God, and that the word of the LORD in thy mouth is truth.

Is it any wonder that the catholic church would create a dogma that would allow them to make whatever they want as doctrine to be equal to God’s Word? God says that HIS Word is truth. Jesus prayed this prayer to His Heavenly Father on behalf of His disciples.

~John 17:17 Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.

Jesus is the Word and, therefore, if we want the truth then turn to the Word, not tradition!

~John 1:1-4 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life; and the life was the light of men.

Do not follow after tradition UNLESS it follows in line with God’s Word. If there’s ANY question, believe God’s Word for it is tried and proven and is for all eternity. Peter, himself, said:

~1 Peter 1:25 But the word of the Lord endureth for ever. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you.

Our church fathers preached the Word of God – they penned the Word of God so that we may have it as our ruler – to set us straight in our pilgrim path. Don’t be deceived by church traditions – back up what you believe with God’s Word. Paul said it best:

~Galatians 1:9-12 As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed. For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ. But I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man. For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ.

No one, not even the magisterium and pope, can supercede or even make anything equal to what Christ taught. Christ’s words are final. He is the Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end!