by R. L. Morrison

If you are satisfied with your religion, you are in danger. The reason: It is God who is to be satisfied, not man. Consider carefully these few scriptures.

"There is a way which seems right to a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death" (Prov. 14:12). "Therefore let him that thinketh he stand take heed lest he fall" (1 Cor. 10:12). "If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed, and ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free" (John 8:31-32).

In Genesis 6-8, we find the record of Noah, who satisfied God with an obedient faith. He was one of eight people saved from the flood. All others were destroyed. There is nothing to indicate that Noah sought to satisfy himself. He sought to please God.

In religion today we have a choice of two promises God has made. Jesus spoke of them in Matthew 7:13-14. "Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat, because strait is the gate and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it." This is set forth also by Paul: "And being made perfect he (Christ) became the author of eternal salvation to all that obey Him" (Heb. 5:9). Then again, "In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ" (2 Thess. 1:8). We each have the freedom to choose one of these two ways to walk in life, and we each make that choice, whether we recognize it or not. In one choice, God is satisfied. God's will and desire for man is to enter the strait gate, walk in the narrow way, for this way leads to eternal life. The other choice is to enter and remain in the broad way. This is the way of the world. In this way men please or satisfy themselves. The end of this way of life is eternal destruction, a separation from God and all righteousness. One can readily recognize the great danger in satisfying self.

Jesus said regarding the practices of some: "But in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men" (Matt. 15:9). These people satisfied themselves, but were not acceptable to God. There are yet many who do the same things.

The Jews are satisfied with the Old Testament and the traditions handed down by their fathers. They may worship God sincerely, but they refuse to recognize Jesus Christ as the Son of God, the Savior of mankind. Jesus said, "I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father but by me" (John 14:6). Their rejection of Christ may satisfy them, but can or do they approach God without Him?

The Catholics are satisfied with their submission to a dictator, a man selected by other men, whom they call "Lord God the Pope". They engage in a form of worship, no doubt sincerely, but it has been devised throughout the centuries by men, to satisfy men. In their organization they refuse to recognize Christ as the head of the Church, saying the Pope is the head also. This apparently satisfies millions of people, for they look upon this man with more favor than they look on Christ. Now, if you doubt this, search the scriptures for the authority for such things as they practice. They are not to be found. The Catholic Church so recognizes for they say the Church has authority to make religious laws. But Jesus said the apostles would reveal ALL truth (John 16:13). James wrote about the engrafted word, calling it a perfect (complete) law of liberty (James 1:21-25). They who teach for doctrines the commandments of men satisfy themselves, not God.

Baptists are satisfied (most of them) with "salvation by faith only". They worship sincerely, but they refuse to recognize the commandment of Christ: "He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved" (Mk. 16:16). Is there a difference, insofar as result is concerned, in rejecting Christ as Savior, and rejecting His teachings regarding salvation? Jesus said, "...The words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life" (John 6:63). Can a person be satisfied with less than the words of Jesus, and God be satisfied? Most definitely not!

The Latter Day Saints are not satisfied with the Bible. They accept it, they say, insofar as it is correctly translated. They accept the writing of Joseph Smith as an inspired prophet of God. His books are accepted in preference to the Bible. Peter wrote that "all things that pertain to life and godliness were revealed through the knowledge they (apostles) had of Christ (2 Pet. 1:3). Jesus had promised the Holy Spirit to these men he selected, saying, "He will guide you into all truth" (John 16:13). Joseph Smith was not of that number. If the apostles of Jesus revealed all truth, what more could Smith have revealed? If Smith revealed truth, then Jesus did not tell the truth, and the apostles did not reveal all truth! Whom will you believe? Are you satisfied with something that is directly opposed to what Jesus taught?

The Church of the Nazarene is not satisfied with a number of things the word of God teaches. Article XIII of their Church Constitution states, in part: "Baptism may be administered by sprinkling, pouring, or immersion, according to the choice of the applicant." No one can show in the scriptures where man has been given a choice of mode of baptism. Sprinkling or pouring for baptism are not to be found in the word of God. Inspired men taught that baptism is a burial or an immersion (Rom. 6:3; Col. 2:12). The only choice for the sinner according to God's word is to obey or not to obey. If he chooses to obey God, then he abides in what the Bible teaches, not the doctrines of men.

Christians should never be satisfied but should continue to hunger and thirst after righteousness. They are to continue steadfastly in the faith, the word. They are to develop more fully with passing time the characteristics of God, as shown to us in the life of Christ. The constant aim of the Christian is to please God, not himself. The only way this can be done is through a knowledge of, and then action upon that knowledge in humble obedience to the word of God.

The Methodist church claims to be satisfied with the Bible. In their discipline, they state: "The Holy Scriptures contain all things necessary to salvation, so that whatsoever is not found therein, nor may be proved thereby, is not to be required of any man, or to be thought requisite or necessary to salvation" (Article 5). Yet they are NOT satisfied with the scriptures alone, for the very Discipline in which they so state this belief contains their OWN twenty-five articles of faith and their form of church government. These are both contrary to the scriptures. Article 9 says, (in part) that one is saved by FAITH ONLY. But, no scriptural proof of this statement is given for obvious reasons; There is no scripture which so teaches. James 2:24 shows their error: "Ye see then how that by works a man is justified and not by faith only".

Concerning baptism, article 17 says in part: "The baptism of young children is to be retained in the church." Again, no proof is given and the reason is obvious: there is no scriptural proof. The New Testament teaches that one must hear and believe the gospel to become a fit subject for baptism. "He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved." (Mark 16:16). So Methodism claims to be satisfied with the Word of God, but their teaching and practice shows they are not.

Presbyterianism also claims to be governed or guided by the word of God. But as with others who make the same claim, their articles of faith do not conform to, but rather contradict, the Bible. For example, they accept the five points of Calvinism, the first of which declares, "All men have sinned in Adam and have become exposed to the curse and eternal death." But Jesus said: "Suffer little children, and forbid them not to come unto me for of such is the kingdom of heaven (Matthew 19:14). Much more could be written, but this should be sufficient for an honest reader. Presbyterianism claims to be satisfied with the Word of God only, but in practice they deny it.

Are YOU satisfied with your life? Is God satisfied with your life?