There is a religious book that has been quite popular for the past
couple of years, The Purpose Driven Life by Rick Warren. While the premise
and purpose of the book is a good one, much religious error is propagated
throughout its pages. It is not a book that should be read or studied by
those who do not have a good grounding in the Scriptures, as they may be
easily misled. Take, for instance, what Mr. Warren says on page 34, concerning
the final judgment: “God won’t ask you about your religious background
or doctrinal views. The only thing that will matter is, did you accept
what Jesus did for you and did you learn to love and trust him?” Think
about this statement for a moment. Does not one’s “religious background
and doctrinal views” depend directly upon one’s acceptance, love, and trust
of the Savior? If one truly accepts Jesus, he will follow Him. “I am the
way, the truth and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me”
(John 14:6). Do you accept Jesus as the only way into a righteous relationship
with the Father? If one truly loves Jesus, he will follow Him. “If you
love me, keep my commandments” (John 14:15). Do you obey Jesus, or do you
only say you love Him? If one truly trusts Jesus, he will follow Him. “He
that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not
shall be damned” (Mark 16:16). Do you trust Jesus, or do you “explain away”
this crystal-clear statement? One who accepts, loves, and trusts Jesus
will have the “religious background or doctrinal views” that God expects
and desires of His people. Those who have obeyed the Lord will be added
to His church, thus having the right “religious background.” “And the Lord
added to the church daily such as should be saved” (Acts 2:47b).
Those who continue to obey the Lord will have the proper “doctrinal
views.” “But speak thou the things which become sound doctrine…” (Titus
2:1). Doctrine does matter! This truth is made abundantly clear throughout
the New Testament! Timothy was told, “And the things that thou hast heard
of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall
be able to teach others also” (II Timothy 2:2). Timothy couldn’t make up
his own doctrine – he had to follow the doctrine that the apostle Paul
taught. And Paul didn’t make up his own doctrine either! “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” (Galatians 1:11-12). Those things that Paul taught came
directly from God. “All scripture is given by inspiration of God…” (II
Timothy 3:16a).We must give heed to those things taught in the New Testament
– we must not only accept them as
true, but obey them! “He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my
words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same
shall judge him in the last day” (John 12:48). If we reject the words of
the Lord, if we rebel against Him and refuse to obey, we have no one to
blame but our own self.
Jason T. Carter, Park City,KY