PERSONAL OPINION VERSES THE BIBLE

In a recent Facebook comment written by my granddaughter, she made the following statement: "It breaks my heart to think that we forget that everyone is a child of God." She was responding to people who seem to be "indulging (themselves) in the hatred of Muslim people," and her view that there is "a lot of prejudice lately, even with the disaster in Japan, people acting like we shouldn't lend our help and support." She went on to say, "It's just an area I've always been sensitive about...people have displayed racism towards me, and it makes me a little defensive of other cultures." I know she is referring to the way people have treated her because her father is a Mexican-American, and people's response to her due to her becoming a Mormon.

First, let me say that Bethany is a very bright and beautiful young lady, and people who show prejudice toward her are simply demonstrating that they are idiots. And for those who would seek to demean her for becoming a Mormon, do you really think you are fulfilling the Great Commission (Matt. 28:19-20)? Christians are to share the truth from the Bible in a humble, loving way, regardless of whether or not the person is an unbeliever, or has been caught up in doctrinal error. Remember, O spiritual giants, "there but by the GRACE OF GOD go we."

Now concerning her comment that "everyone is a child of God," let's see what the Bible says. John 1:12 says, "but as many as received (Jesus), to them gave He power to become the sons of God...." By saying humans can become the sons of God, clearly teaches that not everyone is a child of God. That means there are only two kinds of people in this world: sons of God, and everyone else. Galatians 3:26 says, "For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus." Logic says that those who do not believe in Jesus are not children of God. Romans 10:9-10 says, "That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised Him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation." John, in writing to born-again Christians, said, "...now are we the sons of God...." (1 Jn. 3:2). By saying, "now," it infers that we were not always His sons. By saying, "we," it indicates that all others are not.

In a day when it is politically correct to say things like "there are many ways to heaven," God's Word says, "I (Jesus) am the Way, the Truth, and the Life; no man cometh unto the Father, but by Me" (Jn. 14:6). If one's beliefs about Jesus are solely taken from the Bible, and he places himself under His lordship, he is a child of God. If one has a distorted view of Jesus, one that is contrary to the teachings of the Bible, he is not a child of God, but rather is deceived. By adding to, or taking away from what the Word of God reveals about Jesus Christ, false teachers are proclaiming a false Christ (Matt. 24:24; Rev. 22:18-19). Stick to the Word of God "and the Truth shall make you free (Jn. 8:32).