In view of the many faiths that exist in the world today, mankind everywhere should consult the Word of God for advice in the matter. We must not rely on likes or dislikes. "Thus saith the LORD, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls. But they said, We will not walk therein." Jeremiah 6:16. "O LORD, I know that the way of man is not in himself: it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps." Jeremiah 10:23. "There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death." Proverbs 16:25. "But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God." Matthew 4:4. "Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls ... But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed." James 1:21, 25.

Many warnings are given to all mankind in God's word. "Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience." Ephesians 5:6. How many faiths does God's word teach should exist? "There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; One Lord, one faith, one baptism, One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all." Ephesians 4:4-6. Whose wisdom instituted the one faith? "That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God." 1 Corinthians 2:5. For which faith must we contend? "Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints." Jude 3. "The faith" denotes singularity. "The faith" is singular: the one and only faith for all men, for all time. "And the word of God increased; and the number of the disciples multiplied in Jerusalem greatly; and a great company of the priests were obedient to the faith." Acts. 6:7. If one faith is as good as another, why did those priests leave their faith to obey the faith of the gospel?

From where did the one faith come? "So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God." Romans 10:17. We learn that faith comes from the Word of God and not from the wisdom of men. "Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men." Acts 5:29. "And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?" Luke 6:46. "Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven." Matthew 7:21. Paul, the apostle, kept the faith. 2 Timothy 4:7. Which one of these modern faiths did Paul keep? Did they exist then? "No."

The gospel contains God's one faith. 2 Corinthians 4:3-4. "For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith." Romans 1:16-17. "And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power." 2 Thessalonians 1:7-9.

Let us all follow the faith of the gospel and be acceptable unto God. Love & Care, Inc., Rm 19, PO Box 1512, Parkersburg, WV 26102.

Return to West Virginia Christian