There are a wide variety of conflicting beliefs among protestants. How can these crucial issues be left in doubt?
For example:
Is baptism required for salvation?
Is infant baptism valid?
Is a person once saved always saved?
Are the gifts of the spirit necessary to confirm salvation?
Can sin separate us from God?
Is it necessary to honor the Sabbath?
etc.
How can protestantism be the will of Jesus if it is teaching falsehoods?
~blind post~
We can never speak for others and be completely accurate of intentions or reasonings. So, I'll reply as if I were the complete body of protestants.
I heard what I wanted to hear.
I accepted the Word when it was beneficial to me; therefore, translating in accordance.
I turned away from anything that made me uncomfortable.
I supported certain ideals to others because saying otherwise would usually mean "incriminating" myself.
Period.
Plain and simple.
Our born nature is a sinful one. Pride, arrogance, vanity, jealousy....all of it comes natural to us. We seek comfort in our norms. Until, that is, our eyes are opened to the spiritual realities we have avoided that are all around us. It can be excruciating and very trying to go against the current.
Satan can attack in ALOT of ways. I think the most potent way he uses is division. Division in the body of Christ can be the root cause of some of the biggest issues. If we are not intune with the Spirit, we grab and hold onto falsehoods because it makes us feel better. We have a sinful self-gratifying nature. All satan has to do is plant those seeds of doubt, and then our "natural" attributes run with it. We do the most damage to ourselves.
The text does not cause division. Our interpretations do not cause division. Our intentions/motivations behind our interpretations do cause division though. It's us.
I personally feel it can very dangerous to title yourself a certain religion if it means you hold only to that which is taught in your church. Humans run the churches; therefore, there's danger in following that to a "T".
What I have realized lately is that if you are truly allowing the Spirit to guide you, then you become a part of this "network" where the coincidences are soo frequent and soo accurate that you acknowledge there is one God/Spirit leading us. Our thoughts, goals, perceptions, discernements, joy, and love come from one place and guide us down the same path.
There will always be division in the church here on earth. The question is really this:
Are you going to follow man, or are you going to follow the Spirit?
Are you going to justify your life by saying "well, that's what they said it was", or are you going to be able to say " sought you Lord. Your comforter opened my eyes.
I believed because
I saw your truth."
Who are you going to follow?
