DOES EVERY MAN HAVE A RIGHT TO HIS OWN BELIEF?

One does not have to examine the "religious world" for very long before it becomes evident that the idea that "it does not make a difference what a person believes" is quite prevalent. But consider the implications of such a statement. If every man had a right to his own belief, then: (1) Jesus would not have warned against false prophets – Matthew 7:15; II Peter 2:1; I John 4:1 (2) There would be no such thing as error – Ephesians 4:14; II Peter 3:16 (3) Error (if it did exist) would be as valuable as truth – John 8:32 (4) There would be no need to teach others – II Timothy 2:1-2 (5) The scriptures would not be needed for correction – II Timothy 3:16-17.

Consider the Biblical record of just two individuals. The scriptures plainly teach, through the example of these men, that it does make a difference what we believe. First, Cain did not have a right to his own belief (Genesis 4:3-5). Abel offered his sacrifice to God by faith. Because faith comes by hearing (Romans 10:17) God must have given Abel instructions concerning his offering. Because God is no respecter of persons (Acts 10:34-35), God must have given these same instructions to Cain. Yet Cain offered his sacrifice according to his own idea, his own desire, or opinion. Consequently, God rejected Cain’s offering. Likewise, we do not have a right to decide how we are going to worship God. In order for our worship to be acceptable to God, it must be in accordance with His instructions (Matthew 15:9).

Second, Naaman did not have a right to his own belief (II Kings 5:1-14). Naaman was a great man, an honorable man, and a man of valour. But he was also a leper. When a messenger from God told Naaman he could be cleansed of his leprosy by dipping in the Jordan River seven times, he became angry. Naaman had expected some great thing to happen, thus cleansing him of his leprosy. Eventually, however, Naaman did as he was told and was cleansed of his leprosy. Naaman was cleansed of his leprosy by the power of God. I know of no one who would claim that Naaman was cleansed by the power of the water. Yet this incident in Naaman’s life clearly teaches Naaman was not cleansed of his leprosy until he obeyed God! Likewise, we are not cleansed of the filth of our sin until we obey God by being baptized in water (Acts 22:16). Sadly, many people claim to have the right to their own belief concerning how they can be saved from their sin.