We are quick to defend our rights when we feel they have been infringed. We have more rights than most in this country, but do we have the right to be wrong? We have a civil right to be wrong. God has given us free will to be wrong. A question might be, do we have the right to be wrong and still have God’s promise of salvation? Let’s consider what the Bible has to say on a few subjects.
Can we be wrong about having faith in God? The Bible that would speak about salvation begins, “In the beginning God” (Gen. 1:1). It also records, “The fool has said in his heart, ‘There is no God’” (Psa. 14:1). “The heavens declare the glory of God…so they are without excuse” (Psa. 19:1; Rom. 1:20). “Without faith is impossible to please God” (Heb. 11:6). If we want the salvation that the Bible talks about, we can’t be wrong about faith.
Can we be wrong about hearing God’s word? “For ‘everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.’ How then will they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in Him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching?” (Rom. 10:13-14). Paul told Timothy “from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus” (2 Tim. 3:15). If we want the salvation that the Bible talks about, we can’t be wrong about hearing the word of God.
Can we be wrong about faith in Christ? “Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; but these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in His name” (John 20:30-31). “I told you that you would die in your sins, for unless you believe that I am He you will die in your sins” (John 8:24). If we want the salvation that the Bible talks about, we can’t be wrong about faith in Christ.
Can we be wrong about the gospel? “Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned” (Mark 16:15-16). “Jesus is revealed from heaven with His mighty angels in flaming fire, inflicting vengeance on those who do not know God and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus” (2 Thess. 1:7-8). If we want the salvation that the Bible talks about, we can’t be wrong about the gospel. It is clear that if we want what the Bible teaches, we can’t be wrong about these and other subjects the Bible teaches.