Over the years I have been amazed at things people chose to believe based upon “what if” scenarios. Problematically, this creates a foundation for doctrines based upon what one does not know rather than what one does know. For example, people have come to my door asking “What if Adam and Eve had not sinned?”  My reply is always, “They did sin,” (Gen. 3:1-8). The point of their question is to make assumptions about what would have happened if Adam and Eve did not. Why speculate when we know it happened?

Truthfully, many religious groups use similar logic. Some reject baptism by asking “What if someone wants to become a Christian and there is no water?”  Where can people live without any water? What person that desired baptism for the remission of sin (Acts 2:38), would get in a car, ride a horse, or even walk to a place that had no water? I have studied with many people who, upon wanting to become a Christian, required us to travel to where there was water.

I was once asked, “What if God decides to save everyone at the end of time?” This seems like a nice thought initially. However, we do not need to wonder about this. Everyone will not be saved at the end of time (Matt. 7:13-14). My faith is in the Lord. I would much rather just accept what He says than speculate about things He did not say!

I have had people ask, “What if you are wrong?” This question is also easy to answer Biblically. If I am wrong, then I am believing and teaching error. I will lose my soul if I do not change (John 8:32; Luke 13:3). However, the Lord gave us His word, and it is understandable (Eph. 3:4). I can be tested by others, and I can test myself (I John 4:1; James 1:25; II Cor. 13:5). Just because I could be wrong does not mean that I am. We can have assurance that what we follow is correct (II Tim. 1:12). At the same time, we should always be studying to show ourselves approved.

                                                                                            Chuck

Pssst, want to know a secret?

Do you ever wonder how Satan might convince someone to not be a member of a faithful church? Consider these arguments:

1. You do not have to answer to anyone. Well, Satan is partly right on this one. In reality, everyone answers to the Lord (II John 9). Still, when a person is not part of a faithful church, he/she does not have elders looking out for their spiritual wellbeing (I Pet. 5:1-3). They will not have members calling and checking in to see if they are okay (Gal. 6:2). Satan is right – if you are not part of the Lord’s church family, nobody will be following up with you.

2. You do not have to worship God all the time. Christians are commanded to come together as a church (I Cor. 11:17-18; Heb. 10:25). If one does not belong to a faithful congregation, he/she gets to go whenever they decide. They will also have extra cash in their pocket because they will not be financially giving as a member of the church (II Cor. 16:1-2).

3. You do not have to pray for other members or visit them when they are sick or have lost a loved one. If you do not belong to the family of God, you can be selfish and not care about the needs of those around you. Members of the church, on the other hand, care for one another (I Cor. 12:12-25; Rom. 12:15). Remember, Satan wants to convince you that your troubles are so great you cannot help others with their burdens.

4. You do not have to worry about church discipline. Here again, Satan is partly right. If a member of a faithful church wants to listen to Satan on the first three points, a local church is required to purge out the leaven (I Cor. 5:1-7). This is done to help bring the fallen back. A person who does not repent and rejoin the church logically cannot be withdrawn from again. Satan knows this and wants the fallen to find comfort in avoiding earthly discipline. Like children running away to avoid punishment, some will even avoid becoming a member of a local church just to prevent that from ever happening.

5. You do not have to feel guilty about sin. The devil knows that there is less and less guilt as one’s conscience becomes seared (I Tim. 4:2). A person who avoids a faithful church will become more and more comfortable with sin – just as Satan wants.

6. You do not have to evangelize. If someone does not attend a faithful church, than the effectiveness of their evangelism is greatly diminished. Perhaps even more important to Satan, they likely will not bother with evangelism anymore. On the other hand, the faithful Christian is always thinking of ways to encourage people to become part of Christ’s church (Matt. 16:18; Col. 1:18; Mark 16:15-16).

7. You do not have to pledge your allegiance to Satan or the Lord. Anyone who does not confess Christ will be denied (Matt. 10:32-33). However, Satan’s followers do not have to say that they follow him. Satan’s follows are being loyal to him by just by not following the Lord! As Satan knows, we can belong to him whether we intentionally follow him or not!

We all need to make sure we are not following the god of this world (II Cor. 4:4). Do you really want to be influenced by the one who has a lake of fire awaiting him (Rev. 20:10). “Pssst, hey, do not listen to Satan!”

                                                                                               Chuck