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Partial Faith Is Satan's Victory
*A major survey by the Pew Research Center's Forum on Religion & Public
Life finds that most Americans have a non-dogmatic approach to faith. A majority
of those who are affiliated with a religion, for instance, do not believe their
religion is the only way to salvation. And almost the same number believes that
there is more than one true way to interpret the teachings of their religion.*
(www.Pewforum.org )
This is sad that faith is not the leading component in so many lives. While
the majority of the members in most denominations profess a belief in God, more
than half of them do not accept their faith as being the one true faith that
leads to eternal life. What good is faith if one cannot be sure it is going
to accomplish for them the reward of eternal life? I remember another poll years
ago that mentioned that many of the clergy do not even believe in the afterlife.
That means neither heaven nor hell even exists for them. That makes me wonder
why they were even associated with the clergy.
Sadly also is the fact that many so called Christians think that there are different
ways to reach God. Such belief brazenly calls Jesus Christ a liar. For Jesus
said in John 14:6 "I am the way, the truth, and the life; no one comes
to the Father but through me" There is no other way for a cognizant accountable
person to get to Heaven, yet this forum's poll suggest that half of you believe
there is another way. Since the Bible is the only source in the world that explains
how to get to heaven, show us the verse that teaches salvation apart from Jesus
Christ.
Most people do not even have the faith to believe their preacher is right in
his teaching. They do not believe the core beliefs of their doctrine. They must
believe that a preacher that teaches a different doctrine is alright to do so?
I guess that is why we read things like: "worship at the church of your
choice". The right thing to say is that if I believe my church teaches
the truth, you had better come to my church where I attend, and not one of the
other churches that does not practice or preach the truth. A new more precise
phrase is: Worship at the church of God's choice. Now which church is that?
It is the church that Jesus established, built, purchased, and gave His life
for. His church, the church of Christ.
Why the lack of faith on the part of many of the members of these churches?
I suggest that the preachers are trying to be politically correct. The church
leaders who are not wishing to offend people and chase away those who have weakened
faith have changed religion to a matter of convenience rather than a strict
guideline to reach heaven. The church leaders are not willing to hold people
accountable to their faith.
What kind of faith is being demonstrated here where just about any faith will
do? It is a very wishy-washy faith indeed. Hebrews 11:6 reads: " For without
faith it is impossible to please God, for he who comes to God must believe that
He is and believe that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him."
Joshua said that it was time to make a choice. Joshua 24:15 Remember the phrase
"choose ye this day"?
Elijah told the people in 1 Kings 18:21 "How long will you hesitate between
two opinions? If the LORD is God, follow Him; but if Baal, follow him. But the
people did not answer him a word".
Our souls are dependent upon following God and His word. Why would anyone want
to take a chance that their faith is not sound or pure or even effective enough
to live by it. If one cannot say truthfully that their faith is the right one,
they certainly need to examine themselves in light of the Bible. We read in
2 Corinthians 13:5: "Test yourselves to see if you are in the faith..."
Look to the Bible and see what GOD has to say on any matter. Learn His ways
and do them. Fear God and give Him honor and glory. If you need assistance,
let us teach you how you can do the will of the Father in heaven. To obey God
is to believe on Him, (Acts 16:31), repent of your sins (Acts 8:22), confess
His name (Romans 10:9-10), and be baptized for the remission of sins (Acts 2:38,
Mark 16:15-16). This sequence of actions will put you INTO Christ where you
will receive spiritual blessings (Ephesians 1:3) As a new Christian, you will
need to continue to learn (2 Peter 3:18) to do God*s will and be faithful unto
death (Revelation 2:10). May God bless you in your study of His word.
By Carey Scott
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