The most repeated admonishment throughout the entire Bible is the warning against false gods and false prophets. The apostles repeatedly warned about false teachers who would enter their congregations and lead people astray.

Even so, the corruption of the gospel has never ceased since it began to be preached. The departure from sound doctrine continues to spawn innumerable strange doctrines, heresies, false churches, and cults. The Bible was also misappropriated to create Islam and the Quran.

The Apostle Paul prophesied that a day would arrive when churches would no longer tolerate sound doctrine. Instead, they would attract teachers who would lead them away from the truth to fables.

After calling the elders of the church of Ephesus to Miletus, Paul told them of his departure and that they would see him no more. At that time, he alerted them that after he was gone, grievous wolves would enter the church, not sparing the flock, and that even from among themselves some would arise speaking perverse things to draw away disciples after them.

Similarly, Peter, Jude, and other followers of Jesus cautioned against the spread of falsehoods that could lead many away from the truth. Starting early on with some who today are considered church fathers, the heresies the apostles warned of became entrenched and have compounded over the centuries. They continue to shape modern Christian doctrines today.

Even now, many false prophets and teachers are leading large numbers of sincere, devoted followers into the bondage of religious traditions and falsehoods and away from a personal relationship with the Lord.

Innumerable writings of theologians and highly esteemed teachers over the years have sown seeds of heresy that have been accepted by those lacking knowledge; often, they go unquestioned.

It is important for every individual to work out their own salvation with fear and trembling (Philippians 2:12-13). The restoration of the truth can only come from God, not from men. The only perfect teacher and source of perfect truth is the word of God taught by the Spirit of God. The Lord is the only one you can trust fully. No one minister, pastor, or teacher should be relied upon fully beyond what is clearly written.

One widely embraced falsehood in churches presently is justification by faith without the works of faith that follow. Jesus delivered and forgave sins, saying, “Go and sin no more, lest a worse thing come upon you.” He said that man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God. All things written in the Bible, when considered together as one truth, refute the doctrine that faith alone guarantees entrance into heaven without continuing in the works of faith to the very end.

Faith saves the soul and brings salvation; former trespasses are forgiven; believers are immediately gifted eternal life. It is the undeserved gift of God freely given that cannot be earned by works. Before the gift, faith in him is the only thing you can possess; you have nothing else.

However, once we believe and accept Christ, he is in us, and we are no longer helpless. We have received his power into our mortal bodies, and through faith, we can hold to his promises to produce works of righteousness; it is our responsibility to utilize the power invested in us.

Salvation is the beginning, the planting of the seed into our hearts. The journey from salvation to perfection involves labor—”six days shalt thou labor until rest on the seventh.”

Acceptance of Christ is not completion in Christ; it is his promise to complete the work of perfection he has begun in us if we continue and are not moved away from the hope. As it is written, “Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.” Jesus commands all who wish to be his disciples to pick up the cross and follow him. That path always leads to Golgotha, even to our own death, whatever form that may take.