The Only One, True Religion – Are You Part Of It?

Just Saturday night Martie and I were asked to attend a going away for a news reporter that has been partnering with us on a home rebuild.  We really weren’t part of the festivities except to be recognized for our work, or for the loss in the case of the home owners represented.  We were more like trophies on a shelf.  Not a criticism, it was understandable.  It was not about us but about the wonderful news reporter being honored by her co-workers. But that is not the point.

One of the home owners has advanced ALS.  He is bound to a wheel chair and cannot move his limbs – just his thumb to move the joystick on the arm of the wheel chair.  But he also has a very sharp mind.  We had a great conversation.  He must speak through a microphone attached to a small speaker.  He was obviously Catholic given the crucifix around his neck and the Catholic literature on the tray of his wheel chair.  I watch body language very closely when I talk to people.  When I told him that Martie was raised in the Catholic church and we were married in a Catholic church but we were not Catholic – his eyes widened.  In cards they call that a “tell”.  We talked more about spiritual matters as the evening progressed. But I could tell he was thinking we should be Catholic – not merely Christians.  

So to the point of today’s devotion.  How do you know which religion or which denomination is the right one?  There are denominations that believe unless you are baptized by immersion in water you are not a Christian.  Some believe that if you don’t’ speak in tongues – you are not a Christian.  Others have other specific rituals that you must follow or abide by in order to be confident that you are bound for heaven.  Some believe that the religion doesn’t matter, that there is more than one way to go to heaven.  It can be very confusing.

I think it is pretty simple, actually.  Uncomplicated.  Look to the Bible and you can find the answer.  Let’s begin with Jesus talking to a Pharisee named Nicodemus.  Of course Nicodemus was a Jew and believed in God the creator.  Many other religions and Protestant denominations do as well.  So, he came to see Jesus one night.  (John 3:2-7) “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God. For no one could perform the signs you are doing if God were not with him.” Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again.” “How can someone be born when they are old?” Nicodemus asked. “Surely they cannot enter a second time into their mother’s womb to be born!” Jesus answered, “Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit. Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. You should not be surprised at my saying, ‘You must be born again.”

To have eternal life you must be born again by the Spirit of God.  

Pretty simple, huh?  (Ephesians 2:8-9) “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”  

You are saved by being born again by the Spirit through faith – not by trying to be good or doing something.

Faith in what or whom?  (Romans 10:8-10) “The word is near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart,” that is, the message concerning faith that we proclaim:  If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved”

 You are saved by being born again by the Spirit through faith that God raised Jesus from the dead and submitting to His Lordship – not by trying to be good or doing something.    It’s all about Jesus, His sacrifice, His resurrection, God the Father’s grace, mercy and faith.  Not works … those come afterwards.

(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 know me, you will know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him.” 

Jesus, the Son, is the only way to the Father and eternal life.  Pretty simple.  Only way means that there is no other way.  Seem harsh – actually harsh would be if there were no way.  But God, the Father, in His grace and mercy gave us a way.  Our response – “there must be another way.” Nope – you can want all day long – all life long and it is not going to change. Does that seem too simple?   

(1 Corinthians 1:27-31) “But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. God chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are, so that no one may boast before him. It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God—that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption. Therefore, as it is written: “Let the one who boasts boast in the Lord.”

The Christian faith is pretty simple.  It’s all about Jesus and all about grace.  Listen whenever you consider a church to attend .. you need to start here.  What do they teach?  What do they preach? What do they say it takes to become a Christian?  There is so much more that I could write about – but that would be a book, not a daily devotion.  CHARLEY