The Great Divide

"In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. The earth was without form, and void; and darkness was on the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters.... Then God said, 'Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.' So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them." - Genesis 1:1-2, 26-27

We live in a world where some people believe the Genesis account of creation and most do not. The idea that there is a Creator God to whom mankind is accountable is soundly rejected by much of the world. People's world view is either self-centered or God-centered.  I think it is important to understand that most people you meet don't think like you and I do - don't believe what you and I, as Christians believe. And so, you should expect that they will not embrace what God revealed in the Word of God as truth. That is the first great divide.

There is a second source of division. There are those who DO believe in God but they DON'T believe that Jesus is who Christians and the Bible claim He is. 

"He [Jesus] said to them, 'But who do you [the disciples] say that I am?' Simon Peter answered and said, 'You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.' Jesus answered and said to him, 'Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father who is in heaven.'" - Matthew 16:15-17

Many religions and cults acknowledge that there was a Jesus but don't agree with Peter. Instead they agree with the other disciples. Anybody other than the Son of God.

"He [Jesus] asked His disciples, saying, 'Who do men say that I, the Son of Man, am?' So they said, 'Some say John the Baptist, some Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.' - Matthew 16:13-14

What got me thinking about this was a gift from my sister. It was a rug for your living room. A Persian rug. There was a name woven into the rug and I got curious so I had a talk with "Mr. Google". The name is Abu Bakir (or Abu Bakr). It seems that he was Mohamed's best friend and the first Caliph  -second in charge.  He was the founder of the Sunni Muslims, who followed the Caliphs, versus the Shi'ite Muslims, who believe that Ali, Mohammed's son-in-law, was the proper heir of Muhammad and would only follow leaders descended from him. Be that as it may, no Muslims believe that Jesus was who the Bible says He is. That God, the Father, sent Jesus, the Son, to save mankind from the consequence of sin.

"For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved." - John 3:16-17

Nor that faith in Jesus is the only way to have eternal life.

"Jesus said to him, 'I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.'" - John 14:6

".. if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved." - Romans 10:9

We have many reminders in our home concerning God, Jesus and the Word. But now every time I look at that rug I will be reminded that there are millions of people - billions - that are bound for hell - convinced that they are not.

Does that matter to you? I hope it does. 

Think about it – Pray about it – Believe it – Walk in it. Let your light shine and give God the glory.

By Faith Alone By His Grace Alone And For His Glory Alone