In the previous lesson we learned some basic fundamental Truths that a church should believe in. These are Truths you want in a church you want to attend. But there are some Christian churches, yes they are Christian, that have practices that may lead you to sin. I will cover those today.

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The Scripture above and the one following it are very clear about God's command to be faithful to Him and no other: "Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth: Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the LORD thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me;" (Exodus 20:4-5)

1. Some have images and worship saints even though the Bible is clearly against this as Exodus 20:4 and 5 tell us

2. Other churches have gone astray and rely on works to bring them closer to God instead of the completed work that Jesus did. What they are saying is that what Jesus did is not enough.

But the Word of God says: "Not of works, lest any man should boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them."
(Ephesians 2:9-10) And it also says this about working to gain salvation: "And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then is it no more grace: otherwise work is no more work."(Romans 11:6) Paul tells us in his letter to the Galatians that if we're depending on our good works, then grace is out and we're operating in the Old Testament Law: "Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace." (Galatians 5:4)

 

Not even Abraham was made righteous by the Law. It was his faith in God: "For if Abraham were justified by works, he hath whereof to glory; but not before God. For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness. Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt. But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness." (Romans 4:2-5)

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All this to say that if you attend a church that commands you must do good things to earn salvation or to be forgiven, run from it as fast as you can because whatever good we may do will never compare to belief in the saving work of Jesus on the cross.

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      3. Other churches rely too much on their human church rules instead of the work that God does in the heart, for example, like dressing, combing hair, etc.… that have nothing to do with the heart. If someone does not dress decently, the Lord will change him. God does the work from the inside out. Man does the work from the outside in.

"Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye make clean the outside of the cup and of the platter, but within they are full of extortion and excess. Thou blind Pharisee, cleanse first that which is within the cup and platter, that the outside of them may be clean also." (Matthew 23:25-26) Here Jesus rebuked the Pharisees because they were more concerned with appearance than the heart.

At this point I want to warn you that no church is perfect because it is full of imperfect people who are in the process of growing in the Lord. I warn you not to focus on people, but on Jesus. But looking into their beliefs and practices are very important.

Now I want to encourage you to follow your devotional in the morning. This is the way you will know God more and more. If you are having difficulty, send a message and I will pray for you.

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It is also the time we begin to look at section 3 of your Devotional Notebook or Notebook App that is labeled Intercession. If during your memorization, Bible reading or prayer time, you find yourself thinking about someone, that thought is from the Lord. He is trying to tell you to pray for that person. Write that name with the date and maybe what you are praying for that person and everyday after completing section 1 the Scripture that impacted you in your reading and section 2 Memorization, you will open to section 3 Intercession and pray for the person or people in this section believing God is working in their lives until you see your prayer answered. Then date it when it's answered. It will look like a list with 2 dates next to the name. The time you started praying and the date it was answered. Do not give up praying. Sometimes it may be weeks, months or years. But continue praying. Sometimes many things have to change or happen and that takes time.

Next time I will cover some Scriptures to assure you of your salvation. If you start doubting, those thoughts are from the devil. And like Jesus you have to use Scripture as a weapon against those thoughts.