And they truly were many priests,
because they were not suffered to continue
by reason of death: but this man, because
He continueth ever, hath an unchangeable
priesthood. Wherefore He is able also to
save them to the uttermost that come
unto God by Him, seeing He ever liveth
to make intercession for them. for such
a high priest became us, who is holy,
harmless, undefiled, separate from
sinners, and made higher than the
heavens; who needeth not daily, as those
high priests, to offer up sacrifices, first
for his own sins, and then for the people's:
for this He did once, when He offered
up Himself. For the law maketh men '
high priests which have infirmity; but
the word of the oath, which was since
the law, maketh the Son, who is
consecrated for evermore.
Hebrews 7:23-28
Changing from the inside/out, our faith and our beliefs changing will only be a sidestep, maybe to avoid or evade making a decision, to dodge a problem, or simply to avoid making a decision that is based upon deliberate and careful study. To change from one thing to another in the manner of a sidestep is not real change. To change truthfully from one thing to another is to have change based upon Scripture and not man's ideology, theology, or philosophy. One might change from doing bad to doing good, but more often than not it is only a philanthropic which any man can do but does not mean that change is Scriptural. Often man imagines that God wants us to be perfect, perfect specimens of what He can do and philanthropy seems so good and the one doing this is also good, maybe even thinking that they are perfect, at least in the sight of God. That is not the purpose of God. How can it be? Man can become perfect in this life? If so, then why the need for a Savior? Why did Jesus come to earth to die? Attempting to achieve personal holiness by doing is absolutely wrong for this is for you, not for God, and what a person calls manifestation of God may not be the will of God. I hear some say that God wants us to be healthy, never sick, well if this is what God wants then why did He bruise His Own Son? Human perfection is not the goal of Christian perfection: God's will is: the perfection of your relationship to His Son Jesus Christ. Some believe and teach that by human effort and devotion a person can reach the standard that God wants, but in a fallen world this can never be done. God's call is to you to live in perfect relation to Jesus Christ and then you will produce in other lives a longing for God and a longing to know the truth. God is getting you to a place where He can use you, but we must let Him do it. Not by some doctrine, not by some teaching that is contrary to Scripture (and you will only know this by careful study), not to belong with the "haves" and not to be with the "not haves."
Without evidence Mormons teach that life has always existed, as a god, for if this is true then we would be like God, or to be a god. Where do you find that in Scripture? That Jesus is just another being, but then they add, he has more intelligence than other spirit beings, other lives. Man can by believing what the Mormons teach, even if it sounds Orthodox, will become a god once again as in their pre-carnal life.
Jehovah Witnesses say that Jesus is only a creation, a teaching from Arius who was condemned because that teaching is not found in the Bible. Jehovah Witnesses attempt to live a quiet and peaceful life, to do, this or that, and then be accepted, maybe not as perfect, but good for the good they have done. What about all the good being done by those who do not even claim to be Christian? Is it not the same philanthopy?
The writer of Hebrews has clearly outlined what God had promised, a Savior, but not a created Savior, one that had to make a choice to be the Savior, rather that Jesus was foretold, was illustrated to be, as in the analogy or Melchisedec. Jesus is the High Priest who is in need of nothing, nothing as in sacrifices to be brought to Him. Nothing other than to believe what Scriptures have revealed: He is God come to earth to pay this debt of sin that man can not pay and then by His death to make intercession eternally for all who believe upon Him. Not a doctrine, not a special manifestation of some gift, no, a simple living according to His revelation and coming to a right relationship with Him. You, or anyone else can come to Jesus in any other way, simply believe, believe the call of God, and then be devoted, but not to works, not to doctrine, but to Him. Note: the Scripture: "thy Lord the LORD, and thy God" who is the Lord? Jesus Christ and He is called "thy God."
Thus saith thy Lord the LORD,
and thy God that pleadeth
the cause of His people, behold,
I have taken out of thine hand
the cup of trembling, even the
dregs of the cup of my fury;
thou shalt no more drink it again:
Isaiah 51:22
Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and be saved!
Richard L. Crumb
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