Charles L. Morton wrote this. It appeared in the April 1, 1973 edition of Reminders, published by the Moundsville Church of Christ in Moundsville, West Virginia. Paul C. Keller was the editor. They printed it courtesy of The Cleburne Teacher.
A basic Bible doctrine is the fact that man is a free moral agent. We are to, "work out our own salvation" (Philippians 2:12) and are to, "save ourselves" (Acts 2:40). The Bible also says that, "every one of us shall give an account of himself to God" (Romans 14:12). The religion of Christ cannot be forced, coerced or inherited. Each person must decide for himself to obey the gospel and be blessed (Romans 1:16) or reject the gospel and suffer the consequences (2 Thessalonians 1:7-9).
It is obvious that we must learn to accept the consequences of our conduct. We may choose to drink poison but we must accept the results when we do. A person may decide to reject the gospel through neglect or disobedience but he should understand that the consequences are fearful (2 Thessalonians 2:10-12). Consider some applications:
Man does not have the "right" to be wrong about the gospel and still please God! Jesus said, "Not every one that says unto me, 'Lord, Lord' shall enter the kingdom of heaven; but he that does the will of my Father which is in heaven" (Matthew 7:21). He also said, "...the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day" (John 12:48).
Man does not have the "right" to be wrong about the church and still please God! Having said that the "body" of Christ is the church (Ephesians 1:22-23), Paul said, "And that He might reconcile both unto God in one body...(Ephesians 2:16). He also said, "There is one body, and one Spirit, even as you were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God..." (Ephesians 4:4-6).
Man does not have the "right" to be wrong about baptism and still please God! Jesus said, "He that believes and is baptized shall be saved..." (Mark 16:16). Peter said, "...baptism does also now save us..." (1 Peter 2:21).
Man does not have the "right" to be wrong about worship and still please God! Worship must be offered in truth as well as spirit (John 4:24) and the truth is the word of God (John 17:17).
The Bible says, "There is a way which seems right unto a man but the end thereof are the ways of death" (Proverbs 14:12). How very essential that we learn to act upon the foundation of Bible authority rather than human wisdom (Matthew 7:24:27).
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