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A Call to Stand Apart
They almost ignore Jesus’ teachings and place total confidence in
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the words of the ministers. But are ministers perfect in their knowl-
edge? How can we trust our spirituality to their guidance unless we
know from God’s Word that they are right? A lack of courage to
stand alone leads many to follow highly educated professionals—by
their reluctance to investigate for themselves, they are becoming
hopelessly fastened in the chains of error.
Satan uses many influences to capture his victims. Many partner
with Satan through their romantic attachments to those who are
enemies of the cross of Christ. Parents, family, spouses, or friends
who oppose Bible truth exert their power to control your conscience.
Have courage to obey your own convictions!
It is impossible for us, with the Bible within our reach, to honor
God by false opinions. You’ve probably heard that it doesn’t matter
what you believe, as long as your life is right. But your life is shaped
by your faith. If truth is available to us and we choose to ignore it,
we are choosing darkness.
“Sometimes there is a way that seems to be right, but in the end
it is the way to death.”
Proverbs 16:25
. Ignorance is no excuse for
sin when there is every opportunity to know the will of God. A
young person on a road trip comes to an intersection with highway
signs indicating where each freeway leads. If he ignores the signs
and takes whichever road seems right to him, he may be completely
sincere, but will likely find himself on the wrong road.
God has given us His Word so that we can become familiar with
its teachings and know for ourselves what He requires of us. When
the lawyer came to Jesus with the question “How am I saved?” Jesus
referred him to the Scriptures, saying, “What is written in the law?
What do you read there?”
Luke 10:26
. Ignorance will not excuse
young or old or release them from the punishment for breaking God’s
law when they could have understood its claims. It is not enough to
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have good intentions; it is not enough to do what you think is right
or what the minister tells you is right. Your salvation is at stake, and
you must search the Scriptures for yourself. However strong your
convictions, however confident you may be that the minister knows
what is truth, this is not your foundation. You have a chart pointing
out every landmark on the trip to heaven, and you should not guess
at anything.