Sincere but Mistaken

Constructing a proper and reliable building is possible using a tool called a plumb line. Without such a tool, the builder, however well-meaning and sincere, is likely to make serious errors.

Likewise, our lives and beliefs need to be guided by the plumb line of God’s Word. Read Psalm 119:105; 2 Timothy 3:15-17; Amos 7:8.

A popular concept is, “It doesn’t matter what you believe, as long as you are sincere.” However, one must be sincere in believing and doing the right thing.

We have great respect for a man who is so earnestly sincere in his convictions that he is willing to die for them. But sincerity is not sufficient.

In the Borough of Manhattan, New York, a prescription called for a quantity of barium sulfate, but the druggist used barium sulfite instead. There is only the difference of one letter between the names of the two drugs. One is used for curative purposes; the other is a deadly poison. The woman who took the medicine died. Evidently the druggist was sincere, thinking he gave the right medicine. In cases where the consequences are so serious, certainty is demanded.

A certain lady believed it was a dose of medicine she was taking from the medicine cabinet. It turned out to be poison and she died. Sincerity will not save your soul if you believe the wrong thing. It may be even more dangerous to believe the wrong thing than to drink poison by mistake. Losing one’s life is serious, but to take chances with our soul may make the difference in our eternal destiny.

The statement, “It doesn’t matter what you believe, just so you are sincere,” assumes that any faith is all right and will get you to heaven if you follow it sincerely. But this is not true!

Complete text of: Sincere but Mistaken

The apostle Paul was very zealous and sincere when he persecuted the Christians. But he needed a new heart—a new birth. No matter how long and how sincerely he would have pursued that way, he would have been lost (Acts 9).

The five foolish virgins were very sincere when they came to the marriage feast and said, “Lord, Lord, open to us,” but He answered, “I know you not.” See Matthew 25:1-13.

The prophets of Baal were most sincere when they called upon their god to answer with fire on Mount Carmel. They were so sincere they cried aloud and cut themselves with knives and lancets till the blood gushed out upon them, but they received no answer. See 1 Kings 18.

Many people are very zealous and fervent as they worship their images of wood and stone. Some go on pilgrimages or lie on beds of spikes. Individuals are willing to give their lives for what they believe to be right. Does their sincerity and willingness to sacrifice and suffer prove the truth of their religion?

Jesus says, “Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven” (Matthew 7:21). Many will sincerely think heaven’s door will open for them because they prophesied in the name of the Lord, cast out devils in his name, and did many wonderful works. But He will answer them, “I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity” (v.23).

To be saved, it is necessary to know the Lord Jesus and to do his will. This takes a total commitment to what God reveals. Then God’s Word will guide unerringly as you search out the truth in the Scriptures. We read, “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path” (Psalm 119:105), also, “Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me” (John 5:39).

The Bible clearly teaches that a follower of Christ must live a life of cross-bearing, self-denial, unselfishness, and submission. To disregard these teachings is to be tragically mistaken in our understanding of God’s will.

When we repent and Jesus enters our hearts, his Spirit gives us new direction. His Spirit gives witness in us that we are his children. “For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God” (Romans 8:14, 16).

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A Challenge to Choose Rightly-Dare to Be a Daniel

Life brings man to the point of decision many times. In fact, choices are made every day. Some choices are made with very little thought. At other times the choice demands much thought and consideration. The ones considered important are made with greater care. The question might be, what do you consider important?

God, when He created man, bestowed upon him the privilege of choice. We cannot sidestep this responsibility nor the results of our choices, for many will have eternal consequences.

Let us look at choices a few Bible characters made. Some were good, and others were not so good. Moses, the man of God, chose “rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season” (Hebrews 11:25). He looked to the reward which would come after this life. Choosing the company of Christian believers is a wise choice indeed.

Before the flood, “the sons of God saw the daughters of men that they were fair; and they took them wives of all which they chose” (Genesis 6:2). They made carnal choices which ended in their destruction.

Complete text of: A Challenge to Choose Rightly-Dare to Be a Daniel

“Then Lot chose him all the plain of Jordan... and pitched his tent toward Sodom” (Genesis 13:11-12). The fields there were fertile and he was blessed materially, but he lost it all when Sodom was destroyed.

Joseph, as a young man, chose to be morally pure and honest, and he was awarded highest honors in the Egyptian kingdom (Genesis 41:41).

Joshua, a servant of God, challenged the children of Israel, “Choose you this day whom ye will serve.” He said, “As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” The people answered, “We will serve the Lord.” As long as they feared the Lord and served Him faithfully, they prospered. (Joshua 24:15, 21)

During the time of the prophet Elijah, people had forgotten the mighty works the Lord had done for them, and many turned to idol worship (Baal), which greatly displeased the Lord. He used Elijah at this crucial time in a most spectacular way to show his unlimited power. On Mount Carmel, Elijah called fire down from heaven which consumed the sacrifice he had prepared, thus proving that God is truly God. He asked the people, “How long halt ye between two opinions? if the Lord be God, follow him: but if Baal, then follow him.” After they saw the fire come down, “they fell on their faces: and they said, The Lord, he is the God; the Lord, he is the God” (1 Kings 18).

Daniel, a young captive in the land of Babylon, “purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king’s meat, nor with the wine which he drank” (Daniel 1:8). As a result he and his three companions, who likewise made the noble choice, were in favor with God and the king. Had they not made this choice, the examples of Daniel in the lions’ den and that of the three men in the fiery furnace would not be recorded in the Bible.

Jesus gave us a parable of a father who had two sons. One chose to collect his inheritance and go into a far country (into sin). It was not a good choice. After he spent all that he had, he realized what a great mistake he had made. He chose to humbly return to his father’s house. What a blessed reunion that must have been! (Luke 15:11-32)

Jesus our Lord was apprehended and brought before Pilate. The Jews cried out, saying, “If thou let this man go, thou art not Caesar’s friend.” Pilate pondered the situation before him. He considered Caesar (the world) and the Lord of glory who stood before him. He made his choice, and he delivered Jesus to be crucified (John 19).

Choosing the world with its pleasures will end in destruction (1 John 2:15-17).

Deciding to cast one’s lot with the children of God instead of going the course of the world is making a good and wise choice. Having Christ as our companion brings us into the presence of a wise counselor who will guide us in all decisions of life.

Have you made the choice to follow Jesus? Is He dearer and nearer to you than anyone else in this world? Have you accepted his ways as your ways, surrendered your life to Him, and confessed and forsaken all your sins? Is his Word precious to you, sweeter than any other book? Have you chosen in your room, home, or somewhere else, a secret place where in meditation and prayer you commune with your Lord? If you are his and He is yours, you are experiencing the most blessed condition. It is a foretaste of heaven, and choosing rightly every day will lead to endless bliss.

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A Biblical Guide to Salvation-Fill your Heart with Peace Today

What must I do to be saved? How can I gain peace of mind today and heaven “tomorrow”? We must come to God for the answer to these questions. Here is what the Bible says about God and how to find salvation.

CHARACTERISTICS OF GOD

God is supreme. He is the creator of the universe. He is also an affectionate father who loves his children and wants their obedience and devotion. He disciplines them when they disobey, but is ready to forgive when they repent.

GOD IS:

CREATOR—In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth (Genesis 1:1). Revelation 4:11, Hebrews 11:3, Colossians 1:16-17

LOVING—I have loved thee with an everlasting love (Jeremiah 31:3). Exodus 34:6, 1 John 4:8, Romans 5:8

Complete text of: A Biblical Guide to Salvation-Fill your Heart with Peace Today

HOLY—Exalt the Lord our God, and worship at his holy hill; for the Lord our God is holy (Psalms 99:9). 1 Samuel 2:2, Exodus 15:11

RIGHTEOUS—For the righteous Lord loveth righteousness (Psalm 11:7). Revelation 15:3, Psalm 145:17, Acts 17:31

CHARACTERISTICS OF MAN

God created man in his own image, giving him a free will—free to obey or disobey his laws. Human nature is inclined to disobey, and this is sin. God holds us responsible for making the right decisions.

MAN IS:

CREATED IN GOD’S LIKENESS—So God created man in his own image (Genesis 1:27).

SINFUL BY NATURE—All have sinned, and come short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23). 1 John 1:8, Romans 5:12, James 1:14-15, Galatians 5:19-21

SUBJECT TO DECEPTION—There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death (Proverbs 14:12). Jeremiah 17:9

SEPARATED FROM GOD—But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear (Isaiah 59:2).

GOD’S RIGHTEOUSNESS WILL NOT OVERLOOK SIN

Since God is perfectly good and man by contrast is sinful, a barrier has come between us and God. Every man shall be put to death for his own sin (Deuteronomy 24:16). Romans 14:12

SIN MUST BE PUNISHED BY DEATH—The soul that sinneth, it shall die (Ezekiel 18:4). Romans 6:23, James 1:15, Matthew 25:31-33

THE PUNISHMENT PREPARED FOR THOSE WHO SIN—Whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire (Revelation 20:15). Matthew 3:7, Matthew 25:41, Matthew 13:40-42, Mark 16:16, Mark 3:29, Luke 3:17, Luke 12:5, Luke 16:23

HOW CAN WE BE FORGIVEN

The judgments of God are sure, requiring the punishment of all who sin. God sent his beloved son, Jesus, who was without sin, to die in our place. God’s judgment was satisfied only through the shedding of Jesus’s blood. By rising again, Jesus triumphed over sin and death. If we repent of our sins and truly believe on Jesus as our Savior, we can have a new life now, and eternal life in heaven.

GOD LOVES US AND WANTS TO SAVE US—In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him. Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins (1 John 4:9-10). Matthew 11:28, Revelation 3:20, John 3:16

WE MUST BE BORN AGAIN—Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again. The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit (John 3:7-8).

GOOD WORKS ALONE ARE NOT ENOUGH—Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us (Titus 3:5). Matthew 5:20, Romans 3:20, Galatians 2:16, Ephesians 2:9

SALVATION IS AVAILABLE ONLY THROUGH JESUS—Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me (John 14:6). 1 Timothy 2:5-6, John 1:12, Matthew 1:21, Romans 1:16, Acts 4:10-12

WE ARE SAVED BY GRACE THROUGH FAITH—For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God (Ephesians 2:8). Romans 3:22-24, Luke 7:50

THE WAY OF SALVATION

When a sinner turns away from sin and completely surrenders to God, there is a transformation of the heart and life. His desire for the ways of God now means more to him than the desire for his own pleasure and satisfaction. There is a new birth—a new life!

Following are Scripture references to help one understand the new birth experience:

CONVICTION—Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do? (Acts 2:37). Psalm 51:3, Psalm 73:21, Daniel 9:5

SORROW—For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation (2 Corinthians 7:10). 2 Samuel 12:13, Psalm 51:5, Matthew 5:3-4, Matthew 26:75

CONFESSION—If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness (1 John 1:9). James 5:16, Psalm 51:3

BELIEF—But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him (Hebrews 11:6). Acts 9:6, Acts 11:18

RESTITUTION—Then it shall be, because he hath sinned, and is guilty, that he shall restore that which he took violently away, or the thing which he hath deceitfully gotten, or that which was delivered him to keep, or the lost thing which he found (Leviticus 6:4). Exodus 22:1, Luke 19:1-10

OBEDIENCE—And he [Saul] trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do (Acts 9:6).

TRANSFORMATION—Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new (2 Corinthians 5:17). Galatians 5:19-23

THE WITNESS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God (Romans 8:16). 1 John 4:13, Acts 2:38, Romans 8:9

The joy and gratitude of the saved soul inspires him to obey the Word and the Holy Spirit. Obedience to the Lord brings blessing and satisfaction that far exceeds all that the world may offer. Faithfulness to his commandments is well rewarded. But he that endureth to the end shall be saved (Matthew 10:22).

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