RELIGION

[Von!-x]

Quote from: Von!-x on Today at 02:27:55 PM
Do you think the apostles died without being exactly sure of salvation?
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The apostles have given their lives to a friend. I believe that they themselves exercise the sacrament of reconciliation among themselves (just as bishops in the Catholic Church confess their sins to other priests). I believe that they have died in the grace of Christ - the friend to whom they have given their lives. There is no greater gift than that.

Is that it? Dying simply for a friend? You know full well that it means Jesus' death that is the ultimate sacrifice, not just the death of anybody. I take your reply as saying "the apostles died not knowing exactly about their salvation".

Quote from: Von!-x on Today at 02:27:55 PM
Do you think popes, priests, saints, died without exactly being sure of where they are going to spend eternity?
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Indeed, that is why we have the sacrament of reconciliation and extreme unction to prepare us and make us more receptive to the grace of God when we are in danger of dying. It is through the grace of God that all of us will be saved.

I am sorry for them. Those who died accidently may be in danger of failing to obtain the sacraments, thereby, missing heaven.

Quote from: Von!-x on Today at 02:27:55 PM
Do you think that all your knowledge about the catholic church and its doctrines will merit you a place in heaven?
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No and it never crossed my mind. My reward will be great, though, if I speak for Christ and His Body the Church and if I can bring anyone back to the true fold of the Body of Christ.


Quote from: Von!-x on Today at 02:27:55 PM
Are we certain that the saints whom catholics prayed for intercession are now in heaven? You may dismiss these questions, but it cannot change the assurance real believers have in Jesus Christ.
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Yes, we are certain. Why? Because the Church had examined their lives and found it worthy of emulation. The Church then declares them saints which she has the power to do. Pardon me, bro, but you may believe in Christ but you don't obey Him by going against the Church He has founded.

How sure are you of your reward bro when you are not even sure of your salvation? Where are you going to claim it? somewhere in purgatory, waiting for prayers from living relatives? Maybe the saints are there too! Now you said with certainty that the saints are now in heaven because of some church declaration, that is why you ask for their intercession. Di ba you and houndedbyheaven said that you and even the apostles, and all the saints are not sure of their salvation?

Seriously, bro, John 3:16 is very plain and simple. Salvation is a free gift. Protestants did not interpret it. The meaning is very clear from the beginning.

[soulshocked]

Read James 2:14-26. Matthew 7:21-23, John 5:29, Sirach 16:12-14, Romans 2:5-11, Ezekiel 33:13-14, 1 Corinthians 13:2-3, Ephesians 5:4-7, Hebrews 10:26-29, Galatians 5:6, 1 John 3:10, 1 John 5:2-4, and more.
Let me just elaborate on James 2:14-26

Â* Â* Â* Â* Â* Â* Â* Â* Â* Â* Â*Three Kinds Of Faith (2:14-26)
Â* Â* Â* Â* Â* Â* Â* Â* Â* Â* Â* Â* Â* Â* Â* Â*
1. Faith is certainly an essential element in the Christian life:
Â* a. Without faith, it is impossible to please God - He 11:6
Â* b. The Christian is saved by faith - Ep 2:8
Â* c. The Christian is to walk (live) by faith - 2 Co 5:7
Â* d. Whatever we do apart from faith is described as sin - Ro 14:23

2. It is important to realize, however, that there are different kinds
Â* of faith, but only one that is truly "saving faith"

3. In James 2:14-26, we find James discussing the different kinds of
Â* faith, with an emphasis upon that faith which works to the saving of
Â* the soul

[Beginning with verses 14-17, we notice the first kind of faith. Â*We
might call this kind of faith...]

I. DEAD FAITH (14-17)

Â* A. THIS KIND OF FAITH...
Â* Â* Â*1. Substitutes words for deeds (consider James' example)
Â* Â* Â* Â* a. People with this kind of faith:
Â* Â* Â* Â* Â* Â*1) Know the correct vocabulary for prayer and sound doctrine
Â* Â* Â* Â* Â* Â*2) Can even quote the right verses from the Bible
Â* Â* Â* Â* b. But their "walk" does not measure up to their "talk"!
Â* Â* Â*2. Is only an INTELLECTUAL faith
Â* Â* Â* Â* a. In one's mind, he or she knows the doctrine of salvation
Â* Â* Â* Â* b. But they have never really submitted themselves to God and
Â* Â* Â* Â* Â* Â*trusted in Jesus for salvation
Â* Â* Â* Â* c. They know the right "words", but they do not back up their
Â* Â* Â* Â* Â* Â*words with their "works"!

Â* B. CAN THIS KIND OF FAITH SAVE?
Â* Â* Â*1. NO! Â*Three times in this passage, James emphasizes that "faith
Â* Â* Â* Â* without works is dead" - Ja 2:17,20,26
Â* Â* Â*2. Any declaration of faith that does not result in a changed life
Â* Â* Â* Â* and good works is a false declaration: Â*A DEAD FAITH!
Â* Â* Â*3. Dead faith is counterfeit faith and lulls the person into a
Â* Â* Â* Â* false confidence of eternal life

Â* C. DO WE HAVE THIS KIND OF FAITH?
Â* Â* Â*1. We do, if our WALK does not measure up to our TALK!
Â* Â* Â*2. We do, if our WORKS do not measure up to our WORDS!

[We need to beware of mere intellectual faith. Â*As Warren Wiersbe said,

Â* "No man can come to Christ by faith and remain the same, anymore than
Â* he came into contact with a 220-volt wire and remain the same."
Â* (compare this to 1 Jn 5:12)

The next kind of faith is found discussed in verses 18-19...]

II. DEMONIC FAITH (18,19)

Â* A. PERHAPS TO SHOCK ANY COMPLACENT READERS, JAMES REMINDS US THAT
Â* Â* Â*EVEN "DEMONS" HAVE A KIND OF FAITH!
Â* Â* Â*1. They believe in God (no atheists or agnostics here!)
Â* Â* Â*2. They even believe in the deity of Christ - cf. Mk 3:11-12
Â* Â* Â*3. They also believe in the existence of a place of condemnation
Â* Â* Â* Â* - cf. Lk 8:31
Â* Â* Â*4. And they believe Jesus will be the Judge! - Mt 8:28-29

Â* B. WHAT KIND OF FAITH DO "DEMONS" HAVE?
Â* Â* Â*1. We saw that the man with "dead faith" was "touched only in his
Â* Â* Â* Â* intellect"
Â* Â* Â*2. The demons are "touched also in their emotions" (note that they
Â* Â* Â* Â* "believe and tremble")
Â* Â* Â*3. This is one step above a "dead faith" - it involves both
Â* Â* Â* Â* INTELLECT and EMOTIONS

Â* C. CAN THIS KIND OF FAITH SAVE?
Â* Â* Â*1. NO! Â*A person can be enlightened in his mind and even stirred
Â* Â* Â* Â* in his heart and still be lost forever!
Â* Â* Â*2. True saving faith involves something more, something that can
Â* Â* Â* Â* be seen and recognized: Â*a changed life! (cf. Ja 2:1
Â* Â* Â*3. Being a Christian involves trusting Christ and living for
Â* Â* Â* Â* Christ!
Â* Â* Â* Â* a. You first RECEIVE the life...
Â* Â* Â* Â* b. Then you REVEAL the life!

Â* D. DO WE HAVE THIS KIND OF FAITH?
Â* Â* Â*1. We do, if we just BELIEVE the right things and FEEL the right
Â* Â* Â* Â* things
Â* Â* Â*2. We do, if our service to God does not go beyond...
Â* Â* Â* Â* a. Intellectually adhering to the right doctrines
Â* Â* Â* Â* b. Emotional experiences while attending services

[Thus, James has introduced us to two kinds of faith that can NEVER
save: Â*DEAD faith (involving the intellect alone), and DEMONIC faith
(involving the intellect and the emotions, but stopping there).

He closes this section by describing in verses 20-26 the only kind of
faith that can save...]

III. DYNAMIC FAITH (20-26)

Â* A. WHAT KIND OF FAITH IS THIS?
Â* Â* Â*1. We know from other passages that such faith is based upon the
Â* Â* Â* Â* Word of God - cf. Ro 10:17
Â* Â* Â*2. Dynamic faith involves the WHOLE MAN
Â* Â* Â* Â* a. DEAD faith touches only the intellect
Â* Â* Â* Â* b. DEMONIC faith involves both the mind and the emotions
Â* Â* Â* Â* c. DYNAMIC faith involves the intellect, the emotions, AND the
Â* Â* Â* Â* Â* Â*WILL!
Â* Â* Â* Â* Â* Â*1) The MIND understands the truth
Â* Â* Â* Â* Â* Â*2) The HEART desires and rejoices in the truth
Â* Â* Â* Â* Â* Â*3) The WILL acts upon the truth
Â* Â* Â*3. True, saving faith, then, LEADS TO ACTION
Â* Â* Â* Â* a. It is not intellectual contemplation
Â* Â* Â* Â* b. It is not emotionalism
Â* Â* Â* Â* c. It is that which leads to obedience in doing good works

Â* B. TO ILLUSTRATE, JAMES REFERS TO TWO WELL-KNOW PERSONS IN THE
Â* Â* Â*BIBLE: Â*ABRAHAM & RAHAB
Â* Â* Â*1. You could not find two more different persons!
Â* Â* Â* Â* a. Abraham was the father of the Jews; Rahab was a Gentile!
Â* Â* Â* Â* b. Abraham was a godly man; Rahab had been a sinful woman, a
Â* Â* Â* Â* Â* Â*harlot!
Â* Â* Â* Â* c. Abraham was the friend of God; Rahab had belonged to the
Â* Â* Â* Â* Â* Â*enemies of God!
Â* Â* Â*2. What did they have in common? Â*Both exercised saving faith in
Â* Â* Â* Â* God!
Â* Â* Â* Â* a. Abraham demonstrated his saving faith by his works - 20-24
Â* Â* Â* Â* b. Rahab demonstrated her saving faith by her works - 25-26
Â* Â* Â*3. We learn from this passage that:
Â* Â* Â* Â* a. Faith without works is a DEAD faith - 20,26
Â* Â* Â* Â* b. That "faith only" (the only time this phrase is found in the
Â* Â* Â* Â* Â* Â*Scriptures) cannot justify one - 24
Â* Â* Â* Â* c. That PERFECT faith necessitates works - 22

And what about Ephesians 2:8-10?
For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9 Not of works, lest any man should boast. 10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

The authority has always been the Church - and the Bible affirmed that. Read Luke 10:16 - 'Whoever listens to you listens to me. Whoever rejects you rejects me. And whoever rejects me rejects the one who sent me.' Â*Remember that the office of the apostles is an office with succession. Â*Consider the case of Matthias in Acts 1:12-26. Â*Read 1 Timothy 3:15 - 'But if I should be delayed, you should know how to behave in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of truth.' Â*The Church is the pillar and foundation of truth and it is she who will teach even the powers and principalities in heaven (Ephesians 3:10). Â*Read Matthew 28:18-20 - ''All power in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go, Â* Â*therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age.' Â*Christ promised that He will never depart from His Church. Â*Who are we to doubt that?

1 John 4:6 - 'We belong to God, and anyone who knows God listens to us, while anyone who does not belong to God refuses to hear us. This is how we know the spirit of truth and the spirit of deceit.' - also affirms the authority who those who exercise such in the Church. Â*Matthew 18:15-18 - 'If he refuses to listen even to the church, then treat him as you would a Gentile or a tax collector.' - further affirms the role of the Church as the final authority.

Read also Numbers 12:1-15 and 16:1-35.

But why does the church needs the Bible to affirm that? If the church is the Standard, why does it need the Bible for support?Â* A standard based on another standard?Â* True, Christ will never depart from the church but is it the main point here?Â* Let us say there is the Church and no Bible..will the church stand?

[Obese Bo Ricardo]

Give your definition of CCB. You present materials haphazardly. I hope you are not trying to mislead anyone.

Christian Community Bible Catholic Pastoral Edition. I don't use NIV just because it's noncatholic. Or vice versa. I'd rather use all texts.

I know where this is going. I know those things because they are so vivid. I've read the unbiased world history of the empirical origin and lineage of the RCC already presented by Meganda and Daniel a long time ago (Dan. 7: 23 )

You seem afraid to admit the all suffiency and completeness of Scripture (Is. 34: 16 ) the books we got from the church fathers that God compiled in a book we now call the Bible because the Scriptures don't contain the explanations to the esoteric "mysteries" being taught in the RCC. And I am counted as unlearned because I don't have the testimonies of your so-called early Christian witnesses (Jer. 17: 5 NIV, TEV) and widely accepted scholarly sources (1 Cor. 3: 19 ).

I am just someone who trusts the men who were appointed by God Himself to write the Book of the Lord (Is. 34: 16 ) and whenever I post prophetic evidence that is only too vivid, you dub me as a self-interpreter because I don't have "other sources" to back up what you call my "claims" (Matt. 11: 25 - 26 )

It's implied already that the RCC denies the inerrance and completeness of the Book of Life because of Tradition.

[Obese Bo Ricardo]

Haay... Your problem is basically this ; you have assumptions and you try to find something that fits your assumptions. You are not actually after the truth but after the truth that you hold.

You can't handle the truth that's why when things get too clear you say that I assume too much. Luke 8: 10

[n`gel]

Love your neighbors as you love yourself...

[soulshocked]

OT: right-O!

[Meganda]

Catholic Prayer

"Prayer cannot be reduced to the spontaneous outpouring of interior impulse: in order to pray, one must have the will to pray. Nor is it enough to know what the Scriptures reveal about prayer: one must also learn how to pray. Through a living transmission (Sacred Tradition) within 'the believing and praying Church,' the Holy Spirit teaches the children how to pray." Pg. 637, #2650

This Catechism quote makes two remarkably controversial statements. Let's look at each. First:

"Prayer cannot be reduced to the spontaneous outpouring of interior impulse:"

According to the Bible, it can! God's Word contains thousands of examples of spontaneous outpourings... and God heard every one of them:

"I cried unto the LORD with my voice, and he heard me..." Psalm 3:4
"O LORD my God, I cried unto thee, and thou hast healed me." Psalm 30:2

"In my distress I cried unto the LORD, and he heard me." Psalm 120:1

"Trust in him at all times; ye people, pour out your heart before him: God is a refuge for us. Selah." Psalm 62:8


Rather than spontaneous outpourings, Catholic prayers are an endless repetition of written words. Interestingly, Jesus forbids this method of praying, claiming it is a practice the "heathen" perform:

"But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking." Matthew 6:7

Secondly, the Catechism contends:

"Nor is it enough to know what the Scriptures reveal about prayer: one must also learn how to pray. Through a living transmission (Sacred Tradition) within 'the believing and praying Church,' the Holy Spirit teaches the children how to pray.' "

Here, the Catechism proclaims that the Scriptures can't teach you how to pray. For that you must have the Catholic church. However, long before there was a Catholic church, people prayed and received answers to their prayers:

"Abraham prayed unto God: and God healed Abimelech, and his wife, and his maidservants..." Genesis 20:17
"...when Moses prayed unto the LORD, the fire was quenched." Numbers 11:2

"Elisha prayed unto the LORD, and said, Smite this people, I pray thee, with blindness. And he smote them with blindness according to the word of Elisha." 2 Kings 6:18


These people spontaneously poured out their hearts to God, without help from the Catholic church. God offers His children this invitation:

"And call upon me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me." Psalm 50:15
"Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God." Philippians 4:6-7


God's Word teaches that God not only accepts spontaneous outpourings, He encourages them.

Bondage?

Is it a coincidence that this Catholic doctrine further wraps members in bondage to the Catholic church? That is for you to decide.

Conclusion

We have a standoff. The Bible condemns Catholicism's form of prayer, and the Catholic church condemns the Biblical form of prayer. Obviously, you must choose sides.

Will you side with God and His Holy Word, or with the traditions of men?

"They cried unto thee, and were delivered: they trusted in thee, and were not confounded." Psalm 22:5


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oh..really dacs..pity ka nko....and u think all ive saying were just a myth..tsk tsk tsk..oh boy...but i know someday ull rember all of this.....now a days..people were very hard to convince to beleive ..but for me Im just show them how I walk wid my life..kinda small tak big walk..and beside i dont like na murag mahinomng knowledge or kinda brainy na ang pag deal nko wid Gods word...but one thing ako prangka na isulti..dont be blinded sad wid pride..and if u really wanna see d oder part of it..nver look at the negative if u know wat i mean...

ill just love to share my knowledge..coz i know im on the ryt track...

[Meganda]

Are Catholics able to interpret God's Word for themselves?

"The task of interpreting the Word of God authentically has been entrusted solely to the magisterium of the Church, that is, to the Pope and to the bishops in communion with him." Pg. 30, #100

Can only the pope and the leadership of the Catholic church properly interpret God's Word? Let's go to the Bible and see how God feels about this teaching. When Paul and Silas preached in Berea, the people:

"... received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so." Acts 17:11

In other words, they interpreted the Scriptures for themselves with the help of the Holy Spirit.

"And Jesus answering said unto them, Do ye not therefore err, because ye know not the scriptures, neither the power of God?" Mark 12:24

Why did Jesus chastise the Sadducees for not knowing the Scriptures if it was impossible for them to interpret them?

And why did Peter, Catholicism's first " pope," declare the following?

"Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation." 2 Peter 1:20

Why does Paul instruct us to study the Bible if we can't interpret it?

"Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth." 2 Timothy 2:15

Jesus admonished the Jews to:

"Search the scriptures..." John 5:39

Why would He do that, if He knew they couldn't interpret them?

Who does the interpreting?

The Bible reveals that the Holy Spirit, not a group of men, will interpret Scripture for God's children and will help them to understand all things:

"But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you." John 14:26
"Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth..." John 16:13


The Apostle Paul recognized that the Holy Spirit was the One who taught him:

"Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual." 1 Corinthians 2:13
"Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God." 1 Corinthians 2:12


Why are Christians commanded to memorize the Scriptures if they can' t understand them?

"Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee." Psalm 119:11
"Keep my commandments, and live... write them upon the table of thine heart." Proverbs 7:2-3


A warning

The following verses of Scripture should alarm anyone who believes they need a church to interpret the Bible for them:

"These things have I written unto you concerning them that seduce you. But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie , and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him." 1 John 2:26-27

Could God's position be any plainer?

Conclusion

Why is the Catholic church so determined to interpret the Scriptures for you? Is it because they want to control you and keep you in bondage to Catholicism?

Are they afraid that if you read the Scriptures for yourself, you might discover that Catholic doctrines are contrary to God's Word?

Do you really believe that all non-Catholics are groping around in spiritual blindness, needing the Catholic church to interpret the Bible for them?

You must settle these things in your own mind, but your most important decision is:

"Who will interpret Scripture for you... the Holy Spirit of God or the Roman Catholic church?"

Your answer to that question will determine who you will obey and eventually where you will spend eternity:

"O how love I thy law! it is my meditation all the day. Thou through thy commandments hast made me wiser than mine enemies: for they are ever with me. I have more understanding than all my teachers: for thy testimonies are my meditation. " Psalm 119

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Is the pope the vicar (substitute) of Christ on the earth, wielding universal power over the whole church? If you believe the catechism, he is:

"For the Roman Pontiff, by reason of his office as Vicar of Christ, and as pastor of the entire Church has full, supreme, and universal power over the whole Church, a power which he can always exercise unhindered." Pg. 234, #882
"The Roman Pontiff... as supreme pastor and teacher of all the faithful..." Pg. 235, #891


While the Catholic church elevates the pope to the position of "supreme pastor and teacher of all the faithful," God's Word reveals that someone else already fills that position:

"But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you." John 14:26
"Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth..." John 16:13


Jesus promised that this infallible teacher would abide with us forever:

"And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;" John 14:16

The pope has clearly assumed a position reserved for the Holy Spirit of God. It is a position no man can fill:

"For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God." 1 Corinthians 2:11

The Apostle Paul reiterates that the Holy Spirit of God, not a man, is the infallible teacher of all true Christians:

"Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God. Which things also we speak, not in the words which man' s wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth..." 1 Corinthians 2:12-13

Similarities?

If the pope is Christ' s substitute on earth, there should be many similarities in their lives. Let' s see:

While on earth, Jesus never controlled great wealth. The pope controls one of the wealthiest corporations in the world.
Jesus dressed like a common man. The pope, on the other hand, is never seen in anything but regal apparel.
Jesus lived in simple surroundings, but the pope views opulence at every turn.
Jesus tirelessly served the multitudes, while the pope travels the world on his private jet, meeting with world leaders from every nation.
Most people eventually rejected and hated Jesus because He told the truth. The pope is worshipped and adored by millions worldwide.
The pope gladly welcomes the praise of men, but Jesus directed all worship to the Father, and said of Himself:
"Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God." Mark 10:18

Should popes accept the worship of multitudes? Look how "Pope" Peter reacted when Cornelius tried to worship him:

"And as Peter was coming in, Cornelius met him, and fell down at his feet, and worshipped him. But Peter took him up, saying, Stand up; I myself also am a man." Acts 10:25-26

Pope: head of the church?

The Catechism claims that:

"The Pope enjoys, by divine institution, supreme, full, immediate, and universal power in the care of souls" Pg. 246, #937

According to God's Word, the pope is not the head of the true church of Jesus Christ. That position is reserved exclusively for the Lord Jesus:

"For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church..." Ephesians 5:23

Concerning the pope' s title of "Holy Father," Jesus Himself instructed us to:

"...call no man your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven." Matthew 23:9

Yet, the pope not only accepts the title "Father," but "Holy Father" as well, a title reserved for God alone:

"Who shall not fear thee, O Lord, and glorify thy name? for thou only art holy..." Revelation 15:4

It is not wise to assume a name reserved for God, for He will not share His glory with anyone:

"I am the LORD: that is my name: and my glory will I not give to another..." Isaiah 42:8

More Nagging Questions

Once again, Catholic doctrine and Scriptures could not disagree more. As a result, you must choose sides on each of the following questions:

Why didn' t God tell us in the Bible that He was sending the pope as the Vicar of Christ?
Why does the Bible insist that Jesus is still the head of the church, if He isn't?
Why does the Catholic church want the pope to be the final authority instead of Jesus?
Why does the Catholic church want the pope to be your teacher instead of the Holy Spirit of God?
Conclusion

Only you can answer these questions for yourself. And only you can decide which side you will believe - Catholic traditions of men... or God's Word?

"And ye are complete in him (Jesus), which is the head of all principality and power:" Colossians 2:10
"And he (Christ) is the head of the body, the church..." Colossians 1:18

[Meganda]

Which Religion Is Right?
No. 8 in the Series, Most Frequently Asked Questions Concerning God
There are many religions in the world. Nearly every religion claims that it is the only right religion. It is very confusing to people who are looking for the truth or are looking for God. Who should they listen to? Who has the right answer? Which religion is right? Or are they all right? Are they all good, since they basically teach people to be good? Are they all wrong? Let us consider these questions.

The word "religion" in the Bible means "ceremonial service and worship to God." This is generally the primary definition found in dictionaries. But today this word may be used to refer to any set of beliefs, whether or not this set of beliefs includes service and worship to God. This is the secondary definition according to dictionaries.

Most Religions Teach People to be Good
Man wants to be good because he was created in God's image with an inward desire to be good, as God is good. Man also wants to worship and serve God because man was created with a spirit within him that is for contacting God; this gives him a desire to seek after God. Wherever you go on the earth, you will always find people worshipping something, whether it be the true God or many false, man-made gods. You can never find any animal worshipping anything, because only man has a spirit that causes an inner seeking to know and worship God. Not having God living inside of him, man still wants to express God. Not knowing God and His intention, man nonetheless wants to worship and serve someone. It is this inner seeking that gives rise to religion.

Most religions, whether they are according to the primary or the secondary definition, mainly teach people to be good by trying to activate the good nature that is within them. Generally, they teach people to love, to help and not hurt others, to do good deeds, etc. They may even teach various methods of achieving these objectives. Most of these teachings and methods are moral and ethical. At the same time they teach their people to ask God for help. They also promise that God will reward their people if they do well. But there has been a big problem concerning religion - neither the teachers nor the followers can live according to their standards. Although there is a willingness to follow them, there is a lack of ability to do so. This is because sin dwells in the flesh of man, preventing man from living according to such standards. The sinful nature, expressed in selfishness, strife, jealousy, etc., always overtakes man, causing man to fail. Many get frustrated and either look for another religion, form their own new religion, or give up on religion altogether. Religious man is incapable of being absolutely good, and his worship and service can never satisfy God.

All Religions View God Differently
Religions have all different views concerning God and different approaches to God. Most of the time these views and approaches are not according to the revelation of God in His word. Some have the true God, yet their worship and service are not according to His desire. Some have false gods, so it does not matter what rituals they have - they will never arrive at the true God. Each religion describes its "God" or gods as the right one(s), and they are all different. By logic, either they are all false or only one is true. Some people say that they believe God is this way or that way, but God does not change according to people's beliefs. People cannot create their own God according to their concepts. People need to find out who God is and what He wants with man. It is a tragedy that many people give their entire life to false gods. They will end up getting nothing. We must find the one and only true God and establish our relationship with Him.

Simple Descriptions of Some Larger Religions
According to the primary definition, there are mainly two religions - Judiasm and Christianity which includes Catholicism and Protestantism with its myriad of denominations. Mormons and Jehovah's Witnesses are considered deviants from Christianity. They are considered heretical by Christians. Islam seems to be talking about the same God, yet its book of Koran is a composite of human philosophy and many teachings and stories from the Bible. There are many other groups which are religions according to the secondary definition, such as Buddhism and Hinduism. These do not believe in the God who is the Creator and a Person.

Although Judaism teaches people to worship the true God, it is not a religion set up by God. The Jews did receive their original revelations from God through Abraham and Moses, but they formed a religion around Moses' five books of law and developed many traditions. By the time God Himself came as Jesus, they were already so far away from God that they could not recognize Him. They used the law to persecute Him and eventually killed Him.

Christianity is also not a religion set up by God. Although it had its beginning with Christ who was God, it also has deviated from the main line of what God wanted to do. It still has the name of Jesus and the Bible and talks about the death of Christ for man's sin. However, it has degraded so much that it is of little value and usefulness to God.

Man Was Created to be Full of God
The Bible tells us that there is only one God who created the heaven, the earth, and man. His intention in creating man is to coinhere with man. In other words, He wants to live in man so that man may live in Him. He wants to be organically one with man. He created man in His image so that man may have His life to be His expression. Man was to love as God loves and live righteously as God is righteous. God also wanted man to have His authority to rule for Him, to keep a good order on the earth, and to defeat His enemy Satan. Man failed God by receiving Satan into him. Thus, man was ruined for God's original intention.

God's Way to Bring Man Back, Apart from Any Religion
Religion can never fulfill God's intention for man, but God, being eager to bring man back to His intention, became a man Himself. Firstly, He showed man how God could live in man and man in God. His living was that of a man coinhering with God. He expressed all that God is, and He was without sin. Secondly, He died for sinful man so that man would not have to die. Thirdly, He resurrected to be life to all those who would believe and receive Him so that He could live in them. Receiving Christ in such a way restores man to God's original intention. Man may receive God for God to live in him and he in God. Then when man lives, God is living in and through him. This is the greatest wonder in the universe.

All Religions Fail God's Purpose
If you see God's intention, then you will see that no religion understands this, and all are doomed to fail. Man on his own cannot love or be righteous as God can love and be righteous. No teaching, method, nor practice can help man make it. Only Jesus Christ made it because He is God incarnate. He is now available to live in you so that He may make it again in you. Then you will be enabled to have the highest standard of morality, as Jesus Christ did, and to express God on earth to fulfill His intention and satisfy His heart's desire. What you need is not any religion but the living Christ entering into you and living in you and you in Him. What you need is Jesus. Say, "Lord Jesus, I need You. I do not need religion. I do not need to try harder. I need You to be my life. Lord, come into me to live in me."

Bible Verses for Your Reading:
Zechariah 12:1 The LORD, which stretches forth the heaven, and lays the foundation of the earth, and forms the spirit of man within him.
Haggai 2:7 And the desire of all nations shall come: and I will fill this house with glory.
Romans 2:21 You therefore who teach another, do you not teach yourself?
Romans 7:18, 20 For I know that in me, that is, in my flesh, nothing good dwells; for to will is present with me, but to work out the good is not. But if what I do not will, this I do, it is no longer I that work it out but sin that dwells in me.
John 17:3 That they may know You, the only true God, and Him whom You have sent, Jesus Christ.
Acts 7:2 The God of glory appeared to our father Abraham while he was in Mesopotamia.
Acts 7:30 An Angel appeared to him[Moses].
Mark 7:6, 8 This people honors Me with their lips, but their heart stays far away from Me; While leaving the commandment of God, you hold the tradition of men.
Acts 3:15 And the Author of life you killed.
2 Timothy 1:15 All who are in Asia turned away from me.
2 Timothy 3:1, 5 But know this, that in the last days difficult times will come. Having an outward form of godliness, though denying its power; from these also turn away.
Genesis 1:1 In the beginning God created.
John 14:20 In that day you will know that I am in My Father, and you in Me, and I in you.
John 14:23 My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make an abode with him.
1 Corinthians 6:17 But he who is joined to the Lord is one spirit.
Genesis 1:26 And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion... over all the earth.
John 3:16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that every one who believes into Him would not perish, but would have eternal life.
Luke 19:10 For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which is lost.
John 1:1, 14 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. And the Word became flesh.
John 6:57 As the living Father has sent Me and I live because of the Father.
Colossians 2:9 For in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily.
1 Timothy 3:16 Great is the mystery of godliness: He who was manifested in the flesh.
Hebrews 4:15 One who has been tempted in all respects like us, yet without sin.
1 Peter 3:18 For Christ also has suffered once for sins, the Righteous on behalf of the unrighteous, that He might bring you to God.
1 Peter 1:3 Has regenerated us unto a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.
John 1:12 But as many as received Him, to them He gave the authority to become children of God, to those who believe into His name.
Galatians 2:20 I am crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but it is Christ who lives in me.
Colossians 2:6 As therefore you have received the Christ, Jesus the Lord, walk in Him,

[n`gel]

So then you guys, let's stop nagging. The message is sent, it's up to readers now.

I am more attracted to fellowships glowing with love.

"Change my heart Oh God, make it ever true"

Live the word of God. Don't nag.