A question that every religious person should be asking is "why are people divided religiously?" There are many, many churches that exist today. Most all of these churches have conflicting doctrines and practices, and as a result, do not have fellowship with one another. Most of the time we just cast aside such thoughts by saying "we cannot understand the Bible alike." However, when you come to think of it, we understand and are pretty well united on what the Bible actually does say; but we become divided on what it doesn't say. Let's look at a few examples of what I am talking about.
Most everyone agrees that we are saved by faith. Division comes because of what the Bible does not say. There is no passage in the Bible that says that we are saved by "faith only." We all agree that we are saved by faith (James 2:24). However, have you really tried to find the Bible passage that teaches that we are saved by faith only?
Have you ever heard that Adam and Eve ate an "apple?" Does the Bible really say that? The Bible actually says "fruit" not "apple." Did Adam and Eve eat of the "forbidden fruit?" We all unanimously agree that they did (Genesis 3:1-2). But what kind of fruit was it? Well, here is where the division comes. It comes because we begin to speculate on what the Bible does not say. We can have Bible unity when we stick with just what the Bible does say. When we begin to inject our own ideas where the Bible does not specify, then everyone has a right to his own opinion as the other. We do not have the right to our own opinion when the Bible clearly affirms something. It is a fact that everyone knows that they ate the forbidden fruit; division results when we speculate what kind it was.
Many religious people think it is strange that most all churches of Christ, and some others, do not use mechanical instruments of music in our worship to God. But, why are mechanical instruments not used? For the same reason we do not believe that the Pope is the head of the church on earth. There simply is no Bible passage that states it or authorizes it. What does the Bible really say about music in worship? There are nine New Testament passages of scripture that mentions music, and every one of these nine times it mentions vocal, but not once instrumental (Acts 16:24-25; Romans 15:8-9; 1 Corinthians 14:15; Ephesians 5:19; Colossians 3:16; Hebrews 2:12; Hebrews 13:15; James 5:13; Matthew 26:30). So let's ask the question: Is vocal music scriptural (authorized in the Bible)? I believe everyone would agree that it is. Is mechanical instrumental music scriptural? Now here comes the division. The division occurs because we are now speaking of something which the Bible does not mention. There is no Bible authority in the New Testament that authorizes it in our worship to God. Once again, division comes when we inject our own ideas into our worship to God.
Finally, do you believe in baptism? Most every religious person believes in baptism in one way or another. Why are we united on that? Because the Bible plainly says that we should be. Now let's ask another question: How should one be baptized? Someone may reply "sprinkling" or "pouring" and others "immersion." Why would there be division on this question? Because the Bible mentions nothing about sprinkling or pouring. Is immersion right? Most everyone will answer yes. We are unified on this because the Bible says baptism is a burial (Romans 6:3-4). The Bible is plain and we can understand that and agree. Division comes when we hear someone say that "sprinkling" or "pouring" is right. But where does the Bible authorize sprinkling or pouring?
I hope that we can all see that the principle has been established. We can really understand and agree with the Bible if we want to. The disagreement (division) comes when we begin to teach and do what it DOES NOT SAY. "And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him" (Colossians 3:17). Are we really striving to do all things religiously in accordance with what God has instructed of us in His Holy Word -- the Bible?
The New Testament was written in the language of the common man. It was not written in classical Greek reserved for the elite and ruling class of the day. It was written for all individuals because God wanted everyone to be able to understand His language. God's message was so important that it was essential that He express Himself in language adapted to all men's understanding.
Those who make the excuse that "we cannot understand the Bible" are really not being honest. When individuals are too lazy, or too indifferent to read and study diligently the Bible, they then say "I just can't understand it." What people are really saying is that they have not really tried, in most cases. It is interesting that we can read and understand newspapers, magazines, and even a novel -- but we just can't understand the Bible. The Bible is a book which averages only five letters.
It is so important that we realize that our failure to understand God's Word is the difference between having salvation or being condemned. God has provided us with His Words of salvation. He leaves it up to each one of us to accept His Words or not. We make the choice of what we read and why. I encourage you to choose to read and obey God's Holy and inspired message before it is everlastingly too late. Hell will be occupied with those who made the choice not to read, understand, and obey the Bible.
Here is something for us to think about. Suppose for a moment that a lawyer had a set of books that had all the answers to all legal matters, would he need a supplement? Suppose a mechanic had a book that had all the answers he needed in his work. Do you think that he would need another manual? For spiritual matters, we do have such a book. This book of course, is the Bible. It says in 2 Timothy 3:16-17, "All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work." The lawyer must buy new books because new laws and decisions are handed down daily. The mechanic must buy new books as new gadgets come out yearly. But God handed down a book that never needs revision. It has all the answers to our spiritual needs!
The Bible supplies us with every good work. If your practice cannot be found in the Bible, then it is not a good work as far as God is concerned. Any addition to a perfect revelation makes that book imperfect. Please let God's book, the Bible, direct your life in the ways you need to live and obey Him every day. Your eternal salvation depends on it.
It is said that "cleanliness is next to godliness." This has been said with reference to the cleanliness of the body or physical surroundings. But in spiritual matters, we might say, "cleanliness IS godliness." For when one is cleansed from sin he is godly. Just as water is a cleansing agent for the filth of the flesh, likewise there is a cleansing agent for the sins of man. That cleansing agent is the blood of Christ. The scriptures say, "Not with the blood of goats and calves, but with His own blood He entered the Most Holy Place once for all, having obtained eternal redemption" (Hebrews 9:12).
But how can we really know that we have such spiritual cleansing? The Bible tells us, "You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you" (John 15:3). The words of Christ tell us of His saving blood and when we are baptized into the death of Christ, then we have our sins washed in the blood of the Lamb. The fact is, we absolutely can't be saved without the blood of Christ and we can't be saved without the word. I encourage you to listen to the words of Christ and respond according to His teaching resulting in complete obedience to Him (Hebrews 5:9).
