Truth Necessary to Salvation.
By Wm. S. Foote
It is often said in justification of the division of the professed church into numerous sects, that our Saviour was once told by the apostle John, that one was seen casting out devils in the name of Christ; and the disciples forbade him because he followed not him; but Jesus said unto them, "Forbid him not, for he that is not against us, is for us." Luke ix, 50. It seemed that this man had, through the teaching of his Saviour, become a Christian; at any rate, he made it manifest by his works that such was the fact. Rather than follow the teachings of the blind Pharisees, and others about him, he had listened to the teaching of Jesus, understanding it, was living according to its requirements. Did our Saviour wish to convey the idea to his disciples, and to us also, that all that is necessary to salvation, is sincerity in our profession of religion, our creed, and general conduct, as professed Christians? Not so: for we understand that "Straight is the gate, and narrow the way that leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it." There is not room in this "narrow way" for any at this day who follow those who "teach for doctrine the commandments of men." In John xiv, 23, Jesus says, "If a man love me, he will keep my words, and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him." And in John xiv, 14, 21, "He that hath my commandments and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me." Also in John ii, 4, "He that saith I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him." The apostle Paul also tells us in 1 Cor. i, 10, "Now I beseech you brethren by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing; and that there be no divisions among you, but that ye be perfectly joined together, in the same mind, and in the same judgment." Friendly Reader: The preaching of Noah was what the people in his day needed, but would not be well adapted to the spiritual wants of this generation. So with regard to the teaching of John the Baptist, and others; but if you are honest in your search after the truth, and will study your Bible, prayerfully, and obtain all the help which you can get to understand it, you will assuredly come to the conclusion that the third angel's message of Rev. xiv, is now being proclaimed, and that the "end of all things is near at hand." And if you would be ready to meet your Lord in peace at his coming, and belong to the church which is to be "without spot or wrinkle, or any such thing; holy, and without blemish," you must see your errors, leave them; keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus, and not be led away by the evil counsels of false teachers. So sure as budding trees tell us that summer is near, so sure the signs of the times indicate to us that time will last but a little longer. The prophecies are fast fulfilling; iniquity abounds; there is but little difference between the great mass of professed Christians and the world. The earth is reeling under the weight of sin which oppresses it; the forbearance of God will soon cease; and men instead of realizing all that the peace and safety cry promises for the future, will find that in the last days, evil men and seducers are to wax worse and worse, and that "the saddest act in earth's great drama is the last." "Not every one that saith Lord, Lord, shall enter the kingdom of Heaven, but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in Heaven."
WM. S. FOOTE.
Pendleton, O.