I have stated before that it does matter what you believe. What you believe is the foundation for saving faith (I Tim 4:16). What you believe is the essence of comfort to a believer (Rom 15:4). A sound doctrine causes one not to waver and may convince nay-Sayers (Tit 1:9). And sound doctrine exhorts God and glorifies His finished work (Jhn 7:16-18; Tit 2:10). I pray you seek the Lord for guidance and revelation and make your calling sure, for happy are we that know and do these things.
Extra Credit: It is sad and heartbreaking that so many do not and will not know and believe. Many of these hide in pulpits and pews. Today the bonus read is an exert from one of Charles Spurgeons sermons. As so many avoid the obvious front door to Hell I say that they walk willing to enter The Back door to Hell
Jhn 13:16 Verily, verily, I say unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord; neither he that is sent greater than he that sent him.
Jhn 13:17 If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them.
- If you know what things?
What is it to know these things and what is it to believe? Oh happy are we that Christ has revealed His truth and we know and believe. Look through chapter 13, we see 5 truths that must be known and believed. (13:8) our vital need and depravity showing our rejection and place without Him. (13:10) the completion in the redemption and washing of Christ blood and being clean every whit. (13:11) that it is Christ who knows His disciples and chooses whom to wash. (13:14) the need to wash others and spread His good news. (13:15) our position of humility and honor.
I will state that I can go as far as say that there has been nobody ever saved by or to any false gospel. Though there may be a carnal pacifying of the guilt of sin by the feeding of false truths there will never be happiness outside of the truths that the scriptures expound and is revealed by the Spirit. I say this knowing though that mere knowledge of these things never brings salvation, no more than reciting the sinners prayer brings anyone any closer to God. To intellectually know the five points of Calvinism or in words call Him lord or master do nothing without Christ. Worshiping can be even more dangerous without the Lord first washing you every whit. Without the Spirit working in you, one may find themselves easily worshiping grace and doctrine instead of Christ. You can have the cleanest feet and be spotted everywhere else. But if you not only know these things but also believe, oh happy are we that Christ has revealed His truth and we know and believe. Happy are we that desire to share His good news. Happy are we that know His gospel and make it ours and worship Christ. Happy are we that love His children and exhort one another. Happy are we that are first loved of Christ that now show that love one to another and serve our brothers and sisters.
(Mat 7:24)
