What do you believe?
Here is a survey conducted by USA TODAY and is very interesting
Many beliefs, many paths to heaven?
Most American religious believers, including most Christians, say eternal life is not exclusively for those who accept Christ as their savior, a new survey finds. Of the 65% of people who held this open view of heaven's gates, 80% named at least one non-Christian group — Jews, Muslims, Hindus, atheists or people with no religion at all — who may also be saved, according to a new survey released today by the Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life.
This means 52% of Christians do not agree with the doctrines many religions teach, particularly conservative denominations. Albert Mohler, president of the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, Louisville, calls the findings "a theological crisis for American evangelicals. They represent at best a misunderstanding of the Gospel and at worst a repudiation of the Gospel." Read More go to HERE
Today there are many who believe that there are many ways to Heaven as this article says. It is exciting that God has given us the “Body of Christ”; as a group of dedicated believers that can come together to help each other learn God’s word and how to live a Christian life.
Let me give you an illustration that might seem funny
but think of the truth behind it….
Let’s say that God decided to require certain attire in order to get into heaven, everyone has to wear a Dark Blue Jacket and Light Brown Pants or Skirt and solid Black shoes. Some people would say I don’t agree that God knows what he is talking about, some would say I don’t like Blue and Brown together, some would say he meant something else and some would go along with the program for a while.
At the beginning those that believed in God would follow the instructions. Over time some would change the solid Blue to a lighter Blue, some would change the Light brown pants to a darker shade. The reason that they are making change is that someone is telling them that God meant to allow a variety of shades but it was translated wrong. Some say the Hebrew is correct; some say the Greek is right. But we have to study to prove the truth.
As time when on the color of the clothes changed to Yellow Jackets and Green Pants, and all shades were acceptable. Now we know that God wrote the instructions for us to follow in a book for us to read and understand; and He gave us an instructor to help us understand what we are to wear. Over a period of time there were people who kept changing the book to their interpretation. Now we have different books with different instructions.
This is why the “Body of Christ” is very important. It is a group that can bring us into the “Unity of Faith”. Some would think that a quick mind is the key to understanding but in truth those that are spiritually minded can obtain the understanding.
Ephesians 4:13-14 (KJV) 13 Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: 14 That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;
What is nice is that only the believer has the discernment to understanding. If each person thinks that they have the truth and they think the other person needs to be instructed by them; then how do we reach the unity of faith? It would seem that we have to come together and reason together with the instructions in the book. When we were born again by the Holy Spirit we received the teacher to help explain the book.
John 14:25-26 (KJV) 25 These things have I spoken unto you, being yet present with you.26 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.
We cannot have different opinions about who we are in Christ or how we can receive salvation or have different interpretation about the Bible. We must come together as the Body of Christ and believe the Holy Spirit of promise will teach us from the very book God wrote. If you think about the different beliefs concerning salvation or Christian living it has been a lot like the different colors of outfits that are required for entrance into Heaven.
Picking and choosing what we believe confuses more Christians and posting our beliefs on the wall at our Church or placed in a bulletin will not work. It must be in our heart and when we come together we will have the Unity of Faith. People will be attracted to us because of who we are not what we say. It is important to build up the “Body of Christ’ before we try to reach the world for Christ. They need to see us operating by the spirit of God and in the unity of faith.
1 Corinthians 2:13-16 (KJV) 13 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. 14 But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. 15 But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man. 16 For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ.
This is what I see in these verses;
1. Mans wisdom does not teach, only the Holy Spirit teaches
2. The natural man (unsaved) cannot receive anything of God
3. If you have the mind of Christ he will instruct you.
It is exciting to know Jesus personally and to know He cares about us. He will take care of us if we spend time with him and his people. He has not left us alone; He has given the power that raised Jesus from the dead to live within us.
Praise God.
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