Tuesday, June 24, 2008

What do you believe?!

I was on Fox News this morning and came across this article http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,370588,00.html

My first thought was how tragic! How many people sitting next to you in church do not believe that Jesus Christ IS the only way to heaven?! I know that seems harsh and as the world likes to say Intolerant! But let's face it! If you say you are a Christian and you believe the Bible to be the inspired Word of God then you better take a look again! What does it say?! A country song came to mind that I used to listen to "You've gotta stand for something or you'll fall for anything". How many people attending church today haven't a clue of what God's word says! This is how the article starts out:
America remains a nation of believers, but a new survey finds most Americans don't feel their religion is the only way to eternal life — even if their faith tradition teaches otherwise.
I thought what is the definition of religion?:
the state of a religious b (1): the service and worship of God or the supernatural (2): commitment or devotion to religious faith or observance2: a personal set or institutionalized system of religious attitudes, beliefs, and practices3archaic : scrupulous conformity : conscientiousness4: a cause, principle, or system of beliefs held to with ardor and faith
and what is the definition of Faith:
allegiance to duty or a person : loyalty b (1): fidelity to one's promises (2): sincerity of intentions2 a (1): belief and trust in and loyalty to God (2): belief in the traditional doctrines of a religion b (1): firm belief in something for which there is no proof (2): complete trust3: something that is believed especially with strong conviction; especially : a system of religious beliefs
Oh, but what is the true definition of faith:
Hebrews 11:1
Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.
Hebrews 11:6
And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.
and religion:
James 1:26-27
If anyone considers himself religious and yet does not keep a tight rein on his tongue, he deceives himself and his religion is worthless. 27Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.
What does the Bible say about the only way to heaven:
John 14: 5-7
Thomas said to him, "Lord, we don't know where you are going, so how can we know the way?"
Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you really knew me, you would know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him."
Acts 4:11 & 12
He is " 'the stone you builders rejected,
which has become the capstone.
Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved."
Hebrews 2:9-11
But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels, now crowned with glory and honor because he suffered death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone.
10In bringing many sons to glory, it was fitting that God, for whom and through whom everything exists, should make the author of their salvation perfect through suffering. 11Both the one who makes men holy and those who are made holy are of the same family. So Jesus is not ashamed to call them brothers.
Romans 3:21-23
But now a righteousness from God, apart from law, has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. 22This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference, 23for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,
There is so much more scripture I could post, but then it would be incredibly long! Search the scripture for yourself and see what the Bible says about how many ways there are to heaven!
We are at a time in history where we have to realize that increasingly people are falling away because they truly do not know what it means to be a Disciple of Jesus Christ! It means seeming intolerant, and at times being intolerant, because of what scripture says. We need to know what we say we know, and to instruct others who are young in the faith about the truth of God's Word!
Remember
2 Timothy 1: 7-10
For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline.
So do not be ashamed to testify about our Lord, or ashamed of me his prisoner. But join with me in suffering for the gospel, by the power of God, who has saved us and called us to a holy life—not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time, but it has now been revealed through the appearing of our Savior, Christ Jesus, who has destroyed death and has brought life and immortality to light through the gospel.

8 comments:

Cherdecor said...

AMEN AND AMEN to all of your post! It really concerns me that some of my blogging friends take Jesus, and "rabbit foot" theology! I think pastors are to blame. They really are not teaching the Bible but giving interesting talks.

Thanks for this post! I'm with you!

Mari said...

Amen! Great post Kim. It's frightening to hear of so many who say they are Christians but don't really believe when you go deeper.

Suzie said...

How funny! I almost wrote a blog about that article this morning myself!! :)

Great post!

Denise said...

Amen, awesome post.

Anonymous said...

Good post Kim.I'll have to talk to you about this in person 'cause it's too much to write in this little space.Take care,Patty

sharon brobst said...

Great post Kim!! I saw that this morning and it made me sad to think that there are those sitting in churches NOT hearing truth.

Jesus is the ONE and ONLY way...

Mocha with Linda said...

I saw this in the news as well and it was so disturbing. And yes, too many churches and pastors are not teaching truth. But too many people are not reading the Bible for themselves as well.

Fran said...

I hadnt seen this Kim. Thanks for sharing. I'm going to look at it now.

Have a wonderful Sunday~
Fran