The Council Of God

One day a man went to the dentist for his first root canal. The dentist came in with his needle, held the man’s jaw back, and poked around in his mouth looking for the right spot. Once he gave the man the shot, the dentist left the room for a few minutes. When he returned, he found the man bent over the tray of instruments. “What are you doing?” the dentist asked. “I am just picking out the ones I do not like”, the man replied. Unfortunately, when it comes to God’s word today, most people are like the patient. They pick out ones they do not like. Or worse yet, they go on their feelings alone. Yet Jesus once said, “It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.” (Matthew 4:4) In a recent poll, 86% of people said they believed in Heaven and expected to go there. Only one half of one percent who believed in Hell expected to go there. However, 67% believed that their neighbors will go there. The world and the people in it seem to be following their heart instead of God’s word, convinced that the sinful things they do are okay with God because they are a good person. The world is inherently sinful, but how can we stop sinning if we do not know what it is? Many people today, and even many churches, as well, are picking and choosing what scripture to follow. They seem more concerned with filling the pews than saving souls. One of the biggest controversies in today’s church is on the subject of baptism. The bible says, “He who has believed and has been baptized shall be saved; but he who has disbelieved shall be condemned.” (Mark 16:16) Yet many churches today tell us that baptism is not required. They say that it is only a sign of submission. In other words, they conveniently leave out the part they do not like. The bible also says, “For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles in one point, he has become guilty of all.” (James 2:10) To God, there is no minor sin. One sin, no matter how small you may think it is, can keep you out of Heaven. When you are standing before God at the judgment, do you think he will ask you how you feel? Salvation is pretty cut and dry. You are in or you are out. And we do not make that decision. We only have one chance at salvation, so we better make sure we get it right. “For the gate is small and the way is narrow that leads to life, and there are few who find it.” (Matthew 7:14)