THE KIND OF
RELIGION MANY SEEK TO JOIN
A GROWING NUMBER of people would choose the religion most
convenient to them and in harmony with their opinions and lifestyles. For instance, the traditional Sunday practice
of gathering in a place of worship has been replaced by many with a television
set and shouts of “Praise the Lord” in the comforts of their own home. Others would join religions that promise
wealth and health to its members. And
still others would do nothing but profess to have faith in and a personal
relationship with Jesus Christ.
What is
saddening, however, is that in people’s efforts to customize religion TO FIT THEIR NEEDS AND OPINIONS, they have opted those that are not based on the Holy
Scriptures. This is not surprising
because hundreds of years ago, Apostle Paul foretold of this attitude of
people. He testified: “The time will come when
people will not listen to sound doctrine, but will follow their own
desires and will collect for themselves more and more teachers who will
tell them what they are itching to hear.” (II Tim. 4:3, Today’s English Version)
Nowadays, many
embrace only those religions THAT FIT
INTO THEIR PERSONAL BELIEFS AND VIEWS ABOUT
GOD without considering the teachings of the Holy Scriptures. Moreover, MANY PREACHERS TAILOR THEIR
MESSAGE TO PERSUADE PEOPLE, even to the extent of compromising the truths
written in the Bible.
The Bible also
foretold of people who would use religion to disguise their true intention—that
is, to make money:
“ So
they come as though they are sincere and sit before you listening. But
they have no intention of doing what I tell them to; they talk very
sweetly about loving the Lord, but with their hearts they are loving
their money.” (Ezek.
33:31, Living Bible)
Those who only
use religion for their own benefit are those who refuse to submit themselves to
God’s way of putting people right with Himself.
These are those who have set up their own way or religion and have not
returned to God through the way taught by the Almighty. Apostle Paul identified such in his epistle:
“ I can assure you that they are deeply devoted to God; but their devotion is not based on true knowledge. They
have not known the way in which God puts people right with himself, and
instead, they have tried to set up their own way; and so they did not
submit themselves to God's way of putting people right.” (Rom.
10:2-3, TEV)
Regarding this
kind of people, the Lord Jesus Christ testified:
“It is useless
for you to worship me, when you teach rules made up by humans.” (Mt.
15:9, Contemporary English Version)
Hence, it is
important for us to recognize the religion that is of God among those that are
based on man-made teachings.
THE TRUE RELIGION
The true
religion or that which is truly of Christ and of God is the religion that
follows the teachings of Christ, which he received from God. Jesus Christ testifies:
“If anyone serves Me, let him follow Me; and where I am, there My servant will be also. If anyone serves Me, him My Father will honor.” (Jn.
12:26, New King James Version)
THE TRUE RELIGION FOLLOWS AND UPHOLDS
CHRIST’S TEACHINGS. Fundamental
among Christ’s teachings regarding the attainment of salvation is THE NECESSITY TO ENTER THROUGH HIM. This is what He says to anyone who wants to
be saved:
“I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved.
“And
other sheep I have which are not of this fold; them also I must bring,
and they will hear My voice; and there will be one flock and one shepherd.” (Jn.
10:9, 16, NKJV)
TO BE SAVED, ONE MUST JOIN CHRIST’S FLOCK. The flock being referred to is the CHURCH OF CHRIST:
“Take heed
therefore to yourselves and to all the flock over which the Holy Spirit has
appointed you overseers, to feed the church of Christ which he has purchased
with his blood.” (Acts 20:28, Lamsa
Translation)
Therefore, the
true religion is the one redeemed by Christ with His blood—the Church of
Christ. Man must enter this Church, for
him to render worship that is worthy to God and attain salvation on the day of
Judgment. *
Written by:
Brother DEXTER T. MANGLICMOT
Copied from:
PASUGO GOD’S MESSAGE
July 2003
Pages 6-7
Emphasis:
Admin
