Five Fatal Errors Of
Modern Religion
Romans 1:24-25
If ever a generation existed to which
Paul's stern words of condemnation apply, it is the generation in which we now
live. Ours is a generation under the judgment of God because ours is a generation
that has "changed the truth of God into a lie." Here are five fatal
errors commonly taught by all forms of false religion, by which satan destroys the souls of men, giving them a refuge of
lies.
THE BASIS OF BELIEF IN THE RELIGIOUS WORLD
TODAY IS NOT THE WORD OF GOD BUT EMOTION, EXPERIENCE, AND TRADITION.While
appealing to the Scriptures and quoting them,they make void the Word of God by
interpreting the Scriptures according to their feelings, experiences,and the
traditions of men (Matt. 15:6, 9; Col. 2:20-23). The basis of our faith is and
must be the Word of God alone (II Tim.
MODERN RELIGION MAKES GOD'S SOVEREIGN
OPERATIONS OF GRACE TO BE NOTHING MORE THAN OPPORTUNITIES TO BE SAVED. Grace is
God's almighty, effectual, irresistible work and operation by which salvation
is wrought in us (Eph.
ALL FALSE, ANTICHRIST RELIGION MAKES THE
CROSS OF CHRIST OF NONE EFFECT. The heart of the gospel is the doctrine of the
cross. And the heart of all false religion is its attempt to make the cross
irrelevant and meaningless. Those who teach that Christ died for all men
without exception make the cross irrelevant and meaningless in the affair of
salvation. If Christ died for all men and some are not saved, then he died in
vain for some. His death is meaningless and irrelevant to anyone. The only
relevant, meaningful thing must be the will of man. Blasphemy! The Word of God
declares that the cross of Christ effectually accomplished the redemption of
God's elect and infallibly secured their everlasting salvation (Isa. 53: 8-11;
Heb.
anyone, but
only made salvation possible by removing the obstacles between God and man. The
Word of God constantly speaks of Christ's sin-atoning death as a limited
atonement. In the types of the Old Testament, sacrifices were provided and
atonement was made for
MODERN, FREEWILL RELIGION REDUCES THE WORK
OF THE HOLY SPIRIT IN CONVERSION TO A MORAL PERSUASION THAT DEPENDS ENTIRELY
UPON THE WILL OF MAN IF SALVATION IS TO BE THE RESULT.We are told that the Holy
Spirit calls all sinners to repentance and faith in Christ and that those who
are saved are those who by their freewill decision yield to the Spirit's call.
Hence, preaching is reduced to one man trying to influence another man's
will.Preaching becomes a sales job. Any means is justified,if
the preacher can only get the sinner to "decide for Jesus." But
according to the Word of God, salvation is the mysterious, miraculous work of
God the Holy Spirit in the exercise of his sovereign, irresistible grace and
power by which sinners are raised from spiritual death to spiritual life and
given faith in Christ (Psa.110:3; John 1:13;3:8; Rom.9:16; Eph.2:8-9).
MODERN RELIGION ALSO PERVERTS THE DOCTRINE
OF THE FINAL PERSEVERANCE OF THE SAINTS, MAKING IT A MATTER EITHER OF CARNAL
SECURITY OR OF SPIRITUAL PROBATION. Some say, "Once saved, always saved," giving unregenerate souls a false
assurance based upon a false, empty profession of faith. Others say, "No,
that is not right. Though you are saved, if you sin, you may fall from grace
and lose your salvation." But God's Word declares that all true believers
are saved forever. Being preserved and kept by the grace of God, true believers
persevere in the way of faith and holiness until they leave this world and
enter into glory (Job 17:9; Matt. 10:20; John 10:27-30; Phil. 1:6; 2:12; Jude
24-25). Those who forsake Christ, his gospel, and his church have never been
saved (I John
Don Fortner