We began this week with the topic of apostasy. That is where we will end. It is easy to distract and fool people. It is also easy to keep in mind what is essential and will save, and what is distracting and cannot save. Here are a few thoughts that can prevent apostasy:
Never confuse the symbol for the reality.
Never accept a man as your Lord, but reserve worship for Christ alone. Everything and everyone else is idolatry.
Always bear in mind that Christ alone is the keeper of the gate, and He cannot be misled.
Always participate fully in the rites given to you as a gift from God, performed by the priests, and be worthy before God when you do so.
Take every gift from God in gratitude, and recognize His hand in what you receive.
Be grateful for what you are given, and never think yourself better than another because you think you understand more. You are measured against perfection, not your fellow man.
Forgive if you want to be forgiven.
Leaders deserve your best efforts to support them in the heavy burdens they carry. Uphold, rather than criticize them.
Most errors deserve your pity and forgiveness – not your judgment.
It is not criticism to search for truth, even if the truth exposes mistakes and errors of men. Be gracious with failure, and not distracted or preoccupied by it.
Nobody’s failure can prevent your success. No other organization or person can bring you along in their success. You are required to connect with God independent of all others. Life eternal is to know Him and His Son.
Love your spouse, because this is your own flesh. There was never a saved man without a woman, nor a saved woman without a man. Adam and Eve are “the image of God” for “in the image of God created He him, male and female created He them.”
It is in the private, unobserved moments when you learn the most about yourself. What you think, what you do, how you act when you think you are alone reveals more about your heart than anything else. If you are distant from God, begin to return in those moments alone.
God does live. Never doubt that. Just accept it and move forward to know Him.
It is a thin veil, not a wall, that separates you from God. Do not let it become insurmountable. It was always meant to be parted.
Fear is the opposite of faith.
Do not let borrowed fears become the barrier to your faith.
Men cannot save you, but they can condemn you. You cannot respect men too much without respecting God too little.
Religion has been the source of most of mankind’s cruelty, rebellion and apostasy. Never think your own religious observances can or will connect you with God. They are only habits until you reach out and speak with God directly. Ministers, priests, Rabbis, Elders, preachers, Fathers, Presidents, Apostles and even prophets are not God. Nor should any of these roles be allowed to distance you from God.
Saving belief requires you to accept the truth. Saving faith requires you to act in conformity with correct belief. Saving knowledge comes from contact with God.