by R. L. Morrison

"For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?" (Matt. 16:26).

In view of what Jesus said, it is of the greatest importance that a man make the salvation of his soul as sure as he can. Of all the things a man does in life, he should most carefully and diligently investigate the matter of his salvation. These questions, asked by Jesus, indicate such importance concerning salvation. It is only in this life that man can make his salvation sure, for "inasmuch as it is appointed unto man once to die, and after this cometh judgment" (Hebrews 9:27). If death finds one unprepared for judgment, he is unprepared forever. Though he may have gained many material things, they are left behind at death; they cannot redeem the soul.

Men sometimes make mistakes in matters of judgment in business affairs. These mistakes may result in the loss of money or other material things. Usually it can be corrected and the loss recovered in time. But if a man makes the mistake of thinking he is saved when he is not, he is lost forever. Honesty and sincerity have no bearing on it. If, however, one will use the same thoughtful, diligent thinking and action that makes one successful in the business world, he can also be successful in the spiritual realm. It seems, though, that very few do so.

People who are worldly minded think very little about what God says. They may be (or may not be) religiously minded, but they show no concern about doing that which is pleasing to God. They do the things that seem good to themselves. They either do not know or do not care about that which God has revealed in His word. They never study the Bible. They have no true conception of what constitutes acceptable service to God. No one who so acts can be safe. He has not the proper attitude toward God or the Bible. Such people never recognize the danger of being wrong. They do not know the result of their manner of life is to be lost eternally.

Another idea, very prevalent today, is that it does not make any difference what one believes about God, Christ, or salvation. Following this, naturally, is the idea that it makes no difference what one does in worship or in one's manner of life. The idea seems to be that sincerity and a clear conscience is all one needs. Some say that God, who knows their heart, will accept their service because of these practices.

But if it makes no difference WHAT one believes, does it make any difference IF one believes? Jesus said, "Ye shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free" (John 8:32). People today believe conflicting doctrines: they conflict with each other and with the word of God. But truth does not, could not, contradict itself. Jesus said truth makes men free from sin. This is but to say error does not make free from sin. And sincerity or honesty on man's part does not make error into truth. When men disagree on what the Bible teaches, both may be in error, but it is apparent that both cannot be right. This is a serious matter with those who are interested in a safe way. One interested in his spiritual welfare here and hereafter will not be careless and indifferent toward truth and error. Such a one will give diligent attention to study, realizing that to lose the soul is to lose all.

How can one take the safe way? One cannot do so by following men with their doctrines or associating with a man-made religious organization. The way of man is not in himself. No man can direct his own footsteps through life and gain heaven in eternity.

God has given us the Bible to be our guide through life. In the Bible, men inspired by the Holy Spirit revealed God's plan of salvation to us. It not only tells the sinner what to do to be saved from past sins, but tells the saved person how to live in this life, how to worship and serve God here on earth, that he may receive eternal life, which is to come.

Consider some Bible examples of honesty and sincerity alone, and the result. The principles involved then are the same as they are now with us.

Saul of Tarsus was a very diligent Pharisee. He was zealous, and very active. He believed that followers of Christ should be persecuted even unto death. But on the Damascus road, when the Lord appeared to him, he learned that he had been wrong. His honesty and sincerity were not enough. He later called himself "chief of sinners", because he persecuted the church.

In 1 Samuel 16, we find the account of God sending Samuel, the prophet, to the home of Jesse in Bethlehem. His task was to anoint one of the sons of Jesse to be king of Israel. God did not name the son, but said He would do so when the time came. When Samuel had offered the sacrifices, he looked upon Eliab, and said, "Surely the Lord's anointed is before him." But the Lord said, "Look not on his countenance or on the height of his stature, because I have refused him; for the Lord seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart."

The sincere, honest man will obey the will of the Lord when he learns it. To refuse to do so is not honest with God, and certainly not sincere. Saul of Tarsus began to preach the gospel he once sought to destroy. Samuel followed God's will in preference to his own, and so must we.

The New Testament reveals God's will to those who live now. The first four books tell of the life of Christ as a man. In them we find information concerning Christ, which we must believe. The first ten chapters of Acts of the Apostles will instruct any sinner what to do to be saved or receive remission of past sins. Romans through Jude instructs those who have received remission of sins in the manner of life they must live to gain eternal life, which is reserved in heaven for those who do obtain it. God expects his people to develop the characteristics of righteousness while serving him in this life. Only in so doing is one following the safe way.

The safe way is the Bible, the ONLY way. One must be able to give a "thus saith the Lord" for everything he teaches and practices, not only in worship and serving God, but in the manner of his every day life. God must rule in the heart. The safe way is the way of the word of God every day in life.

Solomon, the wise man of the Old Testament, wrote some things regarding "the way" which can be of great value IF one heeds what he wrote. Consider some of them: "There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death" (Proverbs 14:12). "All the ways of man are clean in his own eyes; but the Lord weigtheth the spirit (motive) (16:2). "A man's heart deviseth his way; but the Lord directeth his steps" (16:9). "There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death" (16:25). The foolishness of man perverteth his way: and his heart fretteth against the Lord" (19:3). "He that keepeth his commandments keepeth his own soul; but he that despiseth his (God's) ways shall die" (19:16).

Solomon had much more to say about the ways of man and God. Although a man may be sincere and honest, he cannot determine within himself what God requires of him. As Solomon said, it may seem good to man, but when a man rejects God's way and follows his own way, it will result in eternal separation from God. As a song writer said, "There is but one way to the 'pearly gates', It is the way of the cross." He who rejects God's way and follows his own way, will at the end, come to eternal ruin. There IS a safe way, the New Testament way!

Are YOU walking in that way?