One World Religion

“A friend of mine posted a picture once of a church on a cliff. The people were walking in through the front door and falling out through the bottom into a dark pit representing the abyss, or hell. The caption said The difference between a relationship  with Jesus Christ and a religion. It also said that you could go to church your whole life and still draw no closer to God or understand who God was and what being a Christian is truly about. The world and sadly many “Christian” churches in my opinion, mistake religion with true Christianity and true disciples of Jesus Christ. Like anything else, I believe we lump all people groups by the actions of a few, and the world especially loves to do that when it comes to Christians and those who follow Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. For many “religions” claim to know God, or even a version of Jesus, but yet do everything opposite of what the whole Word teaches or even compare to what Jesus taught and stood for. 

Jesus had just finished healing a man who couldn’t walk for Thirty Eight years and when the Pharisees saw him carrying his mat or pallet as it states in the NASB, on the Sabbath, they focused more on that “act,” than his actual healing. When they found out that Jesus had commanded him to take up his mat, they again questioned Him and argued the point about doing anything on the Sabbath. Jesus in John Five says, 

“You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is they that bear witness about Me, yet you refuse to come to Me that you may have life.” (ESV) 

That is what Religion is, a relationship with the ways of the world and though many churches are filled up on Saturday or Sunday based on your faith, hearts are not changed. Sure people get moved by the music and their arms are raised in “worship,” maybe even a little emotion drips out with a “hallelujah” here and an “Amen” there, but the heart is as cold as the winter snow. The Pharisees were the “religious” leaders and yet, their hearts were focused more on the rules and legalism of their faith, rather than the miracle of a healing, of a lame man that could walk, and the breaking of their traditions, rather than the focus on the One who heals and forgives us of our sins. Jesus continues later in chapter five of John,

““Do not think that I will accuse you to the Father. There is one who accuses you: Moses, on whom you have set your hope. For if you believed Moses, you would believe me; for he wrote of Me.” (ESV)

Too many put their hope in their denomination and the “fathers” of that sect, but like Jesus said about Moses, I’m sure He would say that about any man who is exalted as the one who is praised over God. The Pharisees praised and worshiped Moses and Jesus said, he will accuse you before God. When we stand before Jesus at the judgement, we will not be able to blame anyone but ourselves if we are not able to enter in His glory. 

I think of many MEN, who are praised and thought of as god’s, because of their ministry or their denomination, but like us, they were just men called to do the work of God thru Jesus, though some better than others. Men of God like C.S. Lewis, A.W. Tozer, Oswald Chambers, Walter Martin, J. Vernon McGee and so many other good teachers of the word. There are others who get praised and yet some of their doctrine was questionable, like Martin Luther, John Calvin, Augustine, George Fox, Chuck Smith and John Smyth. Too many idolize these men, and you can even throw Mary and the pope into this group, but they aren’t Jesus and though we can learn from some good sermons and some good exegesis, from most of the these, (for the Pope is a heretic) some of their sermons are eisegesis. (If you don’t know the difference, research it, because one is a true interpretation of the word and the another is how they see the word) (I’m not claiming these men weren’t godly and had good sermons, but some of their doctrine doesn’t line up with the whole of scripture, and I also am not God and can’t judge their heart or salvation)

Before Jesus came and since, too many pastors, priest, evangelist whether on TV or going from town to town, have changed the word of God to fill their pockets, to fit their desires, to fulfill their wants rather than to preach the message of Christ. Religion is man-made, that serves the purpose of the person or group who started it and we see how everyone of them have different denominations or sects or set of rules, because they break away from the original one that started it. Hebrews Thirteen reminds us, 

““So we can confidently say, “The Lord is my helper; I will not fear; what can man do to me?” Remember your leaders, those who spoke to you the word of God. Consider the outcome of their way of life, and imitate their faith. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. Do not be led away by diverse and strange teachings, for it is good for the heart to be strengthened by grace” (ESV)

The writer is reminding us that there are good teachers and good churches, but we also should be checking their words against their walk, their faith and how it aligns with God’s word. Paul’s reminds us to be like the Bereans, checking and examining everything taught. There are too many strange and false doctrines, especially now with eschatology and the incorrect teaching of the rapture of the church, but we can’t be tossed around like waves in the ocean Like James says in James One. The other false teaching out there is about a One world religion, but the word is clear there has always been a One world religion. This is everyone who does not accept or believe, by true repentance, Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. This list includes, atheists, cults like Mormonism, JW’s, Muslims, Buddhism, Hinduism, Judaism, Catholics, (because of their worship of Mary and “saints” and the pope) throw in Joel Osteen, Joyce Meyers, Hillsong church, Bethel Church, Elevation Church, T.D. Jakes and many other so called evangelical churches that focus more on the music ministry than the true word of God. Jesus says in Luke Eleven,

“Whoever is not with Me is against Me, and whoever does not gather with Me scatters.” (ESV) 

I think it’s pretty clear, that there is a true relationship with Jesus or you are a part of a one world “religion” that denies Jesus!

Jesus does not change, God‘s word does not change. What changes is the heart of man to seek their own will, their own pleasure, to be okay in their own way of being content in their sin, lifestyle, or gathering. Like I said at the beginning, so many churches and yet so little fruit! So my question is, are you in a religion, that is leading you to the abyss and dark pit or are you following the light of this world and walking with Jesus Christ the only Savior of the world? Jesus said in Matthew Seven, 

““Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many.” (ESV)

The choice is simple and only you can make that choice! Are you content playing church and feeling good, or are you ready to die to self and take up your cross, abandoning all to follow Jesus in Spirit and Truth?” Jose Barajas