The Pitfall of Confusion

The Pitfall of Confusion

 

The way to salvation is simple enough for a child to understand. Scripture says: “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whosoever believes in Him, should not perish, but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16) All we have to do is believe.  We don’t have to work to receive this gift of salvation from God.  Ephesians 2:8-9 says “For by grace are you saved, through faith, and not of yourselves, it is a gift from God, not of works lest anyone might boast.”  We are saved through faith.  Faith in Christ as Savior.

 

Simply believe.  Believe in Jesus.  Believing in Jesus will bring great joy into your life. Believe that He paid the price on the cross for your sins and is giving you His righteousness.  Ephesians 1:7 says: “In Him (Jesus) we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins in accordance with the riches of God’s grace.”  We are bought with the blood of Christ.  Acts 20:28 says: “Be shepherds of the church of God, which He (Jesus) bought with His own blood.”   At the last supper when Jesus was eating with His disciples He said: “This cup is the new Covenant in My blood, which is poured out for you.”  (Luke 22:20)

 

The good news of our Christian faith is simple.  We are saved by faith in Christ. Faith that Jesus Christ is our Savior and Lord.  But as we walk the Christian walk, joyful and believing, there will be pitfalls along the way that we must watch out for.  Pitfalls that we must stay away from and walk around. One of those pitfalls is the pitfall of confusion. Scripture says that:” God is not the author of confusion, but of peace.” (1 Corinthians 4:33) We must stay away from that ugly  pitfall of confusion.

 

I have a friend, Sally, who has fallen into this pit of confusion.  Sally’s joy in her faith is gone now because she is so confused.  She used to enjoy her Bible study with her friends.  But someone told her that it was silly to study the Bible with others since each person reading the Bible would come up with a different meaning and no one could agree on what the Bible was really saying.  Sally believed this person and it has changed her world.

 

Sally worries that since Baptists have beliefs that Presbyterians don’t have and Catholics have their differences with the Greek Orthodox Christians, that there is no common faith, no basic belief among Christians. Sally doesn’t want to continue reading or studying the Bible now.  The joy has gone from her face. Where is the truth she asks? She has fallen into the pit of confusion. 

 

My words to Sally are these; That all the major Christian faiths, Protestant, Catholic and Greek Orthodox around the world and down through the many centuries have always believed a group of basic common doctrines. We Christians all agree on the few basics of our faith. But we can disagree with issues that are not basic.  The Holy Spirit who lives within each Christian guides us into all truth.  (John 16:13)

 

The early Christians put our basic Christian beliefs or doctrines into a creed that Catholics, Greek Orthodox, and Protestant Christians have held to down through these two thousand years.  Here is the Apostles Creed: “I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth.

 

 I believe in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord.  He (Jesus) was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary.  He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried.  He descended to the dead.  On the third day He rose again.  He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father.  He will come again to judge the living and the dead.

 

I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins (through Christ), the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting.  Amen. “

 

We can disagree on whether we baptize by putting water on the head of the person being baptized or by putting the person being baptized under water.  We can disagree on when the end of the age will come.  Do we believe in the Pope to be the vicar or Christ or do we believe that every Christian is a priest and represents Christ?  Are we liberal in interpreting the Bible or are we conservative?  Are we part of a liturgical or formal church or do we worship informally? We can differ in these issues and still be one body in Christ.  But Christians all believe the same basic doctrines.  Christians all believe that Jesus died for their sins. A few cult groups that call themselves Christian, do not believe in Christ as Savior and Lord.  They are not real Christians. 

 

Some Christians are confused about who God is.  They start wondering if God is really capable of helping them in their difficult situation.  But no situation is too hard for God.  Nothing is impossible with God.  He is always faithful. Jesus warns us: “Watch and pray that you will not enter into temptation.”  (Mark 14:38) And Paul warns us: “Now I beg you brothers and sisters, look out for those who cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrines which you have learned, and avoid them.” (Romans 16:17) In other words, hold on to the basic doctrines of Christianity.  Hold on to Jesus. Stand on the solid Rock. 

 

Scripture says: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not unto your own understanding.”  (Proverbs 3:5) Your Christian faith is very precious. Scripture says we are given eternal life because of our faith in Christ. Don’t let anyone or any idea take that away from you.  Hold onto your faith in Christ and watch out for the pitfalls.  Especially that pitfall of confusion.