By: Howard Johnson

Do you believe in a God who can save your soul? Are you willing to believe that He gives us a pattern or a path that is complete? Can we trust God’s Word?

There are some today who suggest that we can no longer fully trust the Bible as inspired and that it is not suitable for the growth of the church. They further state that its doctrine is archaic and out of touch with the maturing/evolving body of Christ. Listen to this statement from many years ago. “Stand in the ways and see, and ask for the old paths, where the good way is, and walk in it; then you will find rest for your souls”(Jeremiah 6:16 NKJV).

Jehovah God spoke to those of a rebellious Jerusalem through His prophet Jeremiah saying they must keep to the old path or pattern in order to have rest for their souls. God never changes. You must believe that. He is the same God today that was the Lord of Adam, Abraham and David.

God, through the voice of His prophets, has resounded over and over again that He is the way to eternal life. Jesus came to earth to live the pattern (John 1:1, 14; 14:6–7) and to pass on to His disciples the way to Heaven. There is a pattern of doctrine that is able to free us from sin. Consider further, “But God be thanked that though you were slaves to sin, yet you obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine to which you were delivered. And having been set free from sin, you became slaves of righteousness” (Romans 6:17–18). “Hold fast the pattern of sound words which you have heard from me, in faith and love which are in Christ Jesus” (2 Timothy 1:13). “And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers” (Acts 2:42). “Looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God” (Hebrews 12:2). “As His divine power has given us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue” (2 Peter 1:3).

We do not need creed books, catechisms or other volumes of religious writing to show us the Way. We have the Way recorded once and for all (Jude 3).

The Bible is “that which is perfect” (1 Corinthians 13:10; James 1:25). It is inspired and is profitable (2 Timothy 3:15–17). If you must go elsewhere, then your faith is not a trusting faith in the Creator of life. “In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory” (Ephesians 1:13–14).

Jesus’ life is our pattern. His resurrection is our guarantee; the Bible tells us so.

To disregard God’s Word is to lose sight of the path. There is but one way to God’s eternal home; the path is through the Bible and not in the innovations of man. May the grace and peace of God abide with you always. “Because my people have forgotten me…they have caused themselves to stumble in their ways, from the ancient paths…I will show them the back and not the face in the day of their calamity”(Jeremiah 19:15–17).

Author: Howard Johnson