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 Paul said, "I know WHOM I have believed, and am persuaded that HE is able
to keep that which I have committed unto HIM against that day." 2 Tim. 1:12 (Caps mine, rft)
Paul's faith was not in a system, but in the author of that system. The system
was right, and obedience to the laws and commands of that system right, because it was God given through Christ.
This is not said to suggest that the system is unimportant, but to distinguish between the author and the product.
Further, no "man or plan" choice is under consideration here. One can not truly accept Christ without
accepting His teachings, nor can one consistently accept the teachings of Christ without accepting His divinity.
Philosophic Faith
Modernism is proud of its current "Christian Philosophy." Preachers
and teachers "compare" the various systems of religion, (buddhism, Taoism, and the like) and then urge
the acceptance of "Christianity" because of its "superiority." (Naturally, this includes only
that part of Christianity approved by the superior intellect of the teacher.) Intentionally, or otherwise, God
is made subject to man, and in the final analysis such faith is in one's self, rather than in Him.
Accepted on such a basis as this, "Christianity" becomes a human
system with human limitations. Having been judged by man, its authority and power is limited to man's level--and
can lift man no higher than this.
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Sectarian Faith
But what of those who equate their own brand of orthodoxy with "Christianity"?
"My church teaches this, so I'll hold to "this" to my dying day." Is such creedalism any better
than the philosophy of the modernist? One puts his faith in current theology, another in the earlier creed makers,
but neither really trust in Christ.
Names and Claims
And what of those who claim faith in Christ, but refuse to conform to the teachings
of Christ? Calling one a Christian does not make a Christian and calling one's church "of Christ" does
not make the church of Christ. Jesus said, "If a man love me, he will keep my words." (Jn. 14:23) Note,
"Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God." (2 Jn. 9)
Faith and Relationship
True obedient faith establishes fellowship between God and man, thru Jesus
Christ. This relationship can exist as long, but only as long, as we walk in His truth. (1 Jn. 1:3-10) As servants
of God, our
allegiance
is to God; not to church, not to creed,
not to elders, not to preacher, not to friends, BUT TO GOD THROUGH CHRIST.
This is the true saving faith, and without it there is no salvation. With such
faith, the Lord's teachings are not "a" way, but "the way." The consequences, I fully believe,
are what He would have them be, and of them I can not be ashamed. rft
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