THE WAY THAT IS SAFE AND CANNOT BE WRONG 

Raymond Elliott

 Several years ago we lived in Savannah, Georgia.  It was a new experience for us to watch those huge freighters entering the mouth of the Savannah River and traveling some fifteen miles inland to the state docks.  It didn’t seem possible that the massive ships could achieve such a feat.  However we learned that a channel had been dredged in the middle of the river for a safe passage for these huge ships.  And as long as the captains of these ships steered their vessels in the channel there was safety.  It was not necessary for the men on these ships to know where all the hidden dangers were beneath the surface of the water; but it was essential to possess knowledge of the safe way to travel.  This principle is very applicable in the study of the New Testament of Jesus Christ.

 Jesus taught men to enter the “strait gate” and walk in the “narrow” way (Matthew 7:13, 14).  “There is a way which seems right to a man, But its end is the way of death” declared the wise man in Proverbs 14:12 (NKJV).  We should therefore seek out the way that is infallibly safe and cannot be wrong in religious matters.  We suggest the following aspects of this way that is revealed in the Word of God. 

  1. Accepting the Holy Scriptures as being the inspired Word of God cannot be wrong (II Timothy 3:16, 17; II Peter 1:3, 21).
  2. It cannot be wrong to believe in God and in His Son Jesus Christ (Hebrews 11:6; John 8:24; Matthew 16:16).
  3. It cannot be wrong for sinners to repent of their sins (Acts 17:30, 31; II Peter 3:9).
  4. It cannot be wrong to be baptized for the remission of sins, having confessed one’s faith in Jesus Christ (Romans 10:10; Acts 2:38; Acts 8:35-39).
  5. It cannot be wrong to be immersed in water instead of being sprinkled (John 3:23; Romans 6:3, 4; Colossians 2:12).
  6. It cannot be wrong to have an obedient faith instead of a faith only religion (Matthew 7:21; Hebrews 5:8, 9; James 2:14 – 26).
  7. It cannot be wrong to wear the name of Christ (Christian) rather than names that honor men and/or movements (Acts 11:26; 26:28; I Peter 4:16; Romans 16:16).
  8. It cannot be wrong to sing praises to God in worship without the addition of instruments of music (Ephesians 5:19; Colossians 3:16; Hebrews 2:12; 13:15).
  9. It cannot be wrong to partake of the Lord’s Supper upon the first day of every week (I Corinthians 11:23- 30; 16:1, 2; Acts 20::7).
  10. It cannot be wrong to be faithful in attendance to the periods of worship (Acts 2:42; Hebrews 10:24, 25; James 4:17).
  11. It cannot be wrong to be pure in heart and live a faithful Christian life (Matthew 5:8; Hebrews 12:14; Revelation 2:10).

We need to possess the wisdom of following the safe way wherein is assurance and security.  Why take a risk when the safe way can be learned and followed by all who choose to do so.  Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man comes to the Father but by me” (John 14:6).  The infallible Word of God provides us the infallibly safe way through Jesus Christ and that cannot be wrong (John 12:48).