Most people find so many distracting and opposing scriptures, they are (understandably) confused. To make matters worse, Christian leaders insist that there are no contradictions or inconsistencies. So many times the reader or student throws up his/her hands and determines it to be unstable and unfounded. Let's clear up this problem so we can immerge ourselves in the true word of God.

Let's jump right in... the Apostle Paul wrote this to the church in Rome...
Romans, Chapter 13:  1 Obey the government, for God is the one who put it there. All governments have been placed in power by God. 2 So those who refuse to obey the laws of the land are refusing to obey God, and punishment will follow. 3 For the authorities do not frighten people who are doing right, but they frighten those who do wrong. So do what they say, and you will get along well. 4 The authorities are sent by God to help you. But if you are doing something wrong, of course you should be afraid, for you will be punished. The authorities are established by God for that very purpose, to punish those who do wrong. 5 So you must obey the government for two reasons: to keep from being punished and to keep a clear conscience.

Allow me to be very basic... Suppose you were a citizen under Hitler's government - do you really believe the scripture above should be taken literally? With no reservations? You are to just blindly follow his demonic destruction and murder of millions of people? I think not! Yet, that is what so many Christians will tell you when you criticize the wrong-doings of a government! I have criticized our government and our evil leaders who have taken God out of our schools, government and families... Only to have a misled Christian quote the scripture above.

Let's take a look at differences in denominational doctrines... let's compare the Seventh Day Adventists to the Methodist, Baptist or any other denomination that does not honor the same Sabbath Day or agree that it is not good to eat certain foods or meats... This is the entire chapter 14 of Romans - for comparison I will highlight the scriptures for comparison...

Foods...

1 Accept Christians who are weak in faith, and don't argue with them about what they think is right or wrong. 2 For instance, one person believes it is all right to eat anything. But another believer who has a sensitive conscience will eat only vegetables. 3 Those who think it is all right to eat anything must not look down on those who won't. And those who won't eat certain foods must not condemn those who do, for God has accepted them. 4 Who are you to condemn God's servants? They are responsible to the Lord, so let him tell them whether they are right or wrong. The Lord's power will help them do as they should.

The Sabbath... Saturday or Sunday?

5 In the same way, some think one day is more holy than another day, while others think every day is alike. Each person should have a personal conviction about this matter. 6 Those who have a special day for worshiping the Lord are trying to honor him. Those who eat all kinds of food do so to honor the Lord, since they give thanks to God before eating. And those who won't eat everything also want to please the Lord and give thanks to God. 7 For we are not our own masters when we live or when we die. 8 While we live, we live to please the Lord. And when we die, we go to be with the Lord. So in life and in death, we belong to the Lord. 9 Christ died and rose again for this very purpose, so that he might be Lord of those who are alive and of those who have died.

10 So why do you condemn another Christian? Why do you look down on another Christian? Remember, each of us will stand personally before the judgment seat of God. 11 For the Scriptures say,

   
    " `As surely as I live,' says the Lord,
    `every knee will bow to me
       and every tongue will confess allegiance to God.'

12 Yes, each of us will have to give a personal account to God. 13 So don't condemn each other anymore. Decide instead to live in such a way that you will not put an obstacle in another Christian's path.

More On Food...

14 I know and am perfectly sure on the authority of the Lord Jesus that no food, in and of itself, is wrong to eat. But if someone believes it is wrong, then for that person it is wrong. 15 And if another Christian is distressed by what you eat, you are not acting in love if you eat it. Don't let your eating ruin someone for whom Christ died. 16 Then you will not be condemned for doing something you know is all right.

17 For the Kingdom of God is not a matter of what we eat or drink, but of living a life of goodness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. 18 If you serve Christ with this attitude, you will please God. And other people will approve of you, too. 19 So then, let us aim for harmony in the church and try to build each other up.

Drinking Wine (Alcohol)... ( You may want to read my page on www.john33.com/drinking.htm )

20 Don't tear apart the work of God over what you eat. Remember, there is nothing wrong with these things in themselves. But it is wrong to eat anything if it makes another person stumble. 21 Don't eat meat or drink wine or do anything else if it might cause another Christian to stumble. 22 You may have the faith to believe that there is nothing wrong with what you are doing, but keep it between yourself and God. Blessed are those who do not condemn themselves by doing something they know is all right. 23 But if people have doubts about whether they should eat something, they shouldn't eat it. They would be condemned for not acting in faith before God. If you do anything you believe is not right, you are sinning.

In the above scriptures you can plainly see that denominational dogma drives a wedge between Christians of different denominations - Do Not Allow That To Happen! Do Not Add Man-Made Doctrine To Scripture and God's Word! You must make the decision to live according to God's word or some made up, man-made doctrine that is designed by Satan to separate God's people. I don't care if your grandparents, your parents, your preacher, or anybody else that drills man-made doctrine into you - do not listen! Live by the word of God!

This is the first message in the new series... It is intended to get you started seeing the problem with the ongoing war between denominations and twisting scripture to your own liking. Shake the chains off - free yourself and let yourself be led by the Holy Spirit of God and His Son Jesus.