We live in a world where religion takes a back
seat to our desires and wishes. The faith of men is compromised
when sacrifice must be made in order to observe those things they
believe. Jellyfish convictions, false teachers, men with personal
motives have taken the word of God and tried to make it of no
effect. Often mockery is made of God's Holy Word.
This past week it was announced by Bishops of
the Catholic Church that, in light of the fact that March 17,
2006, a Friday, was St. Patrick's Day, a "Special Dispensation"
would be granted. This "Special Dispensation" would
make an exception to the doctrine of the Catholic church of abstaining
from eating meat during the Lenten season. On St. Patrick's Day
Catholics were told they could eat corned beef in order to celebrate
this holiday. There were a few conditions, however. The Catholics
who wished to eat corned beef on this particular Friday could
do so only if they offered an extra prayer or did a deed of benevolence.
If they did any one of these things, then they were free to break
their own law to celebrate this day's events.
I am still searching my Bible to find the scriptural
authority for any of the above mentioned activities. It is not
there! Over the ages of time, men have taken it upon themselves
to write their own doctrines that contradict the doctrine of God.
The very doctrine they teach of abstaining from eating meats is,
in itself, warned of in the word of truth. Paul told the young
preacher Timothy in 1 Timothy 4:1-3; "Now the Spirit speaketh
expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the
faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils;
Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with
a hot iron; Forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from
meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving
of them which believe and know the truth."
When man takes it upon himself to write his own
doctrine, or a new doctrine, God is not well pleased. Paul expressed
this to the churches in Galatia: "But though we, or an angel
from Heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which
we have preached unto you, let him be accursed." Galatians
1:8.
Of the scribes and Pharisees in Jerusalem, Jesus
said, "Ye hypocrites, well did Esaias prophesy of you saying,
This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth
me with their lips; but their heart is far from me. But in vain
they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of
men." Matthew 15:7-9.
The doctrines and the commandments of men cause
a false sense of security among their believers. The doctrines
and commandments of men promote false worship and illegitimate
religious practices. The doctrines and commandments of men will
cause men to lose their souls for all of eternity. The Bible speaks
of no special circumstances; it does not speak of "A Special
Dispensation." It does, however, show us the way to Heaven.
Jesus said "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." Let
us forever stand in the old paths and teach God's truths so that
we may abide with Him around that great white throne and so that
others may come to a knowledge of the truth and obey the gospel.
P.O. Box 23, Bucyrus, OH 44820.