Blind Guides of the Blind
"No man ever believes that the Bible means what it says: He is always convinced that it says what he means." --George Bernard Shaw
"I am amazed that you are so quickly deserting Him who called you by the grace of Christ, for a different gospel...if we, or an angel from heaven, should preach to you a gospel contrary to what we have preached to you, he is to be anathema!...For I would have you know, brethren, that the gospel which was preached by me is not according to man. For I neither received it from man, nor was I taught it, but I received it through a revelation of Jesus Christ."(Galatians 1:1-11)
George Bernhard Shaw was correct. I would put it this way...
"No religious institution of man believes what the Bible says, instead, they are convinced the Bible says what the religious leaders of that particular religious institution say it means."
Thus the Bible has become a commentary on the various doctrines of the men. Instead of the Bible being the infallible word of God, the doctrines of men are deemed infallible - "blind guides of the blind", all falling "into the pit" of unbelief...
"Then some Pharisees and scribes came to Jesus from Jerusalem and said, Why do Your disciples break the tradition of the elders?" Jesus responded..."You hypocrites, rightly did Isaiah prophesy of you: 'THIS PEOPLE HONORS ME WITH THEIR LIPS, BUT THEIR HEART IS FAR AWAY FROM ME. BUT IN VAIN DO THEY WORSHIP ME, TEACHING AS DOCTRINES THE PRECEPTS OF MEN"...blind guides of the blind. And if a blind man guides a blind man, both will fall into a pit.” (Matthew 15:1-2,7-9)
So, here are a few things the Bible actually says, it is good news, and to the extent the doctrines of men teach otherwise, let them become "anathema!".
1. GOD LOVES ALL OF US
“God commends His love for us in that while we were sinners Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8)
“Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners” (1 Timothy 1:15)
“Christ died for our sins . . . was buried . . . and rose again. . .” (1 Corinthians 15:3-4)
2. GOD WILLS THAT ALL OF US BE SAVED
“God our Savior…will have ALL men to be saved and to come unto the knowledge of the truth” (1 Timothy 2:4)
“Trust in the living God, who is the Savior of ALL men” (1 Timothy 4:10)
3. ALL OF US ARE RECONCILED TO GOD
“When we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of His son” (Romans 5:10)
“God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself not counting their sins against them” (2 Corinthians 5:19)
“And having made peace through the blood of His cross, by Him to reconcile ALL unto Himself” (Colossians 1:20)
4. ETERNAL LIFE IS A GRACIOUS GIFT FROM GOD TO ALL OF US
“For even as in Adam ALL are dying, thus also, in Christ shall ALL be made alive” (1 Corinthians 15:22)
“The gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord” (Romans 6:23)
5. WHAT ALL OF US SHOULD DO WITH THIS GOOD NEWS
"Prescribe and teach these things." (1 Timothy 4:11)
“In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you” (1 Thessalonians 5:18)
"I am amazed that you are so quickly deserting Him who called you by the grace of Christ, for a different gospel...if we, or an angel from heaven, should preach to you a gospel contrary to what we have preached to you, he is to be anathema!...For I would have you know, brethren, that the gospel which was preached by me is not according to man. For I neither received it from man, nor was I taught it, but I received it through a revelation of Jesus Christ."(Galatians 1:1-11)
George Bernhard Shaw was correct. I would put it this way...
"No religious institution of man believes what the Bible says, instead, they are convinced the Bible says what the religious leaders of that particular religious institution say it means."
Thus the Bible has become a commentary on the various doctrines of the men. Instead of the Bible being the infallible word of God, the doctrines of men are deemed infallible - "blind guides of the blind", all falling "into the pit" of unbelief...
"Then some Pharisees and scribes came to Jesus from Jerusalem and said, Why do Your disciples break the tradition of the elders?" Jesus responded..."You hypocrites, rightly did Isaiah prophesy of you: 'THIS PEOPLE HONORS ME WITH THEIR LIPS, BUT THEIR HEART IS FAR AWAY FROM ME. BUT IN VAIN DO THEY WORSHIP ME, TEACHING AS DOCTRINES THE PRECEPTS OF MEN"...blind guides of the blind. And if a blind man guides a blind man, both will fall into a pit.” (Matthew 15:1-2,7-9)
So, here are a few things the Bible actually says, it is good news, and to the extent the doctrines of men teach otherwise, let them become "anathema!".
1. GOD LOVES ALL OF US
“God commends His love for us in that while we were sinners Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8)
“Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners” (1 Timothy 1:15)
“Christ died for our sins . . . was buried . . . and rose again. . .” (1 Corinthians 15:3-4)
2. GOD WILLS THAT ALL OF US BE SAVED
“God our Savior…will have ALL men to be saved and to come unto the knowledge of the truth” (1 Timothy 2:4)
“Trust in the living God, who is the Savior of ALL men” (1 Timothy 4:10)
3. ALL OF US ARE RECONCILED TO GOD
“When we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of His son” (Romans 5:10)
“God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself not counting their sins against them” (2 Corinthians 5:19)
“And having made peace through the blood of His cross, by Him to reconcile ALL unto Himself” (Colossians 1:20)
4. ETERNAL LIFE IS A GRACIOUS GIFT FROM GOD TO ALL OF US
“For even as in Adam ALL are dying, thus also, in Christ shall ALL be made alive” (1 Corinthians 15:22)
“The gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord” (Romans 6:23)
5. WHAT ALL OF US SHOULD DO WITH THIS GOOD NEWS
"Prescribe and teach these things." (1 Timothy 4:11)
“In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you” (1 Thessalonians 5:18)