DOES IT REALLY MATTER WHAT ONE BELIEVES?

By Dennis Abernathy

Many have the idea that it makes no real difference what someone believes just as long as they are honest and sincere in their belief. They think the only thing that matters is just to live up to whatever you believe.
Isn’t it strange that many say that about religious beliefs when they know it isn’t true in other areas? For example, consider a person who mistakenly boards the wrong airplane. We all know his honesty and sincerity will not guarantee that he will go where he wants to go. Or what if a stockholder believes in the soundness of a company that is actually about to fail? We all know that the sincerity of his confidence in that company will not guarantee it won’t fail.
As long as there is a true and a false, a genuine and a counterfeit, it will make a difference what we believe. First John 4: 1 says, “Believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they be of God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world.” Hebrews 13: 9 says, “Do not be carried away by varied and strange teachings.” Colossians 2: 8 tells us to “Beware lest anyone take you captive through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men.”
Friend, does it make a difference what we believe? Yes indeed! It not only makes a difference what you believe—it makes an ETERNAL difference. Think on these things.