Are you confused and suspicious about what you see and hear in religion?
Are you hungry for truth and understanding from God’s word?
If so, please read these few words.
Sometimes when you are alone with your thoughts have you ever wondered where you are headed and what your end will be? Does the fear of death and eternity linger in the back of your mind? Do you hope that someday before it’s too late you can find peace with God? If so, why wait? There will never be a better time than today.
Maybe you have trouble believing what you see and hear in religion, not knowing which denomination, if any, is teaching the truth? Let me assure you by the authority of God’s written word, your destiny will not be determined by manmade religion. Not one of these groups will judge you or be a witness against you. There is one judgment that we all must face, and it is the eternal judgment of Jesus Christ, our Lord. He made this next statement very plain and easy to understand. He said, “The word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day.” (John 12:48) If you want to know your judgment, then look in his word.
We must first realize that we are lost and in need of help. We must humble ourselves in a broken and contrite spirit, not only saying we are sorry for our sins, but turning from them also. Seeking God the Father in all sincerity and submission, holding back nothing.
Lack of hope and lack of understanding can be overcome by the guidance of Jesus. His words are a great light shining forth in the world, revealing the hidden things of darkness. Religious confusion and division are openly rebuked by the truth of the gospel and are replaced with clear understanding when seen in the light of Christ. There is no light of truth apart from the teaching of Jesus, this is why he said, “I am the light of the world.” (John 8:12)
To live in sins and trespasses against God is to be spiritually dead. A soul that is never awakened will sleep on in the sinful flesh and will go down to the grave without hope. It is absolutely certain the day will come when our bodies of flesh will wither and die. There will be no second chance to change anything; it will be final. We must be awakened by the voice of Jesus before that time comes. This is why the word of God says to us, “Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light.” (Ephesians 5:14) “To day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts.” (Hebrews 4:7)
Religion has exalted itself in the minds of people, causing them to believe they must choose one of the denominations and its doctrine. This nonsense has stood in the way of hungry sinners for much too long. Seeking the truth is not a multiple-choice decision. There is only one doctrine and one church; it is not divided and confused. But so-called Christian denominations try to excuse themselves by saying the truth of the gospel depends on your interpretation of the scriptures. This is not taught in the New Testament; division in doctrine is not allowed. But today’s religious world is determined to have it their own way, willfully ignoring the words of the apostle Paul, “Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.” (1 Corinthians 1:10) This speaks to all people who call themselves Christians.
Multitudes followed Jesus as he went throughout the land preaching the gospel. Many followed him for days without proper food and shelter. When Jesus sat down on the hillside and taught these people, where was the church? When he sat down in a boat and the people crowded the shore to hear him, where was the church? There were plenty of buildings that housed religion, but Jesus and his followers were not welcomed by the leaders and members because his teaching offended their religion. It still does today!
Many mysteries of the kingdom of God are never understood and explained by religious leaders or applied to this day in which we live. Instead, they assign these things to a future time, saying to the people these things will soon come to pass. Their eyes of understanding (Ephesians 1:18) have not been opened and the mysteries of the kingdom of God remain hidden from them. The apostle Paul said, “But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost.” (2 Corinthians 4:3) The fact that manmade religion insists on being divided into separate groups and doctrines is enough in itself to show that the truth is not heard and obeyed.
Jesus gathers his people together in one mind and the same judgment according to the things that he taught. No division; no scattered flock! If you are a sinner and you want to know the truth about the teaching of the gospel, where should you look? Not in a building! Not in religion! Not by reading religious books or the opinions of men! Not looking for some earthly sign or event! But by looking for the truth of the gospel as revealed by the teaching of Jesus and the apostles. Because, “The kingdom of God cometh not with observation: Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you.” (Luke 17:20-21)
When the Spirit of truth, which is the Holy Ghost, begins to open your eyes of understanding and the mysteries of God’s word begin to unfold and fit together, you will know the kingdom of God is at hand. A thing that is at hand means you can reach out and take hold of it. Jesus said, “So likewise ye, when ye shall see all these things, know that it is near, even at the doors.” (Matthew 24:33)
God is my witness; I can help you. By his mercy he has given me a clear understanding of the gospel as written in the New Testament. Not so I can boast or become arrogant because I am nothing; and if the Lord had not opened my mind to his word, I would still be in spiritual darkness. This saying of Jesus was fulfilled in me. “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.” (John 14:26) I know this is true.
What is my purpose and my reward? That I can show you the same pathway our Lord has shown me. There is plenty of room for you, and those who travel this road are your true friends. This highway of holiness is plainly marked by the faithful men and women who have gone on before us. Their blood and weary footprints are all along the way. They endured through great tribulations, remaining faithful to the very end. Should we do any less?
I don’t want money; I have nothing to sell. I do not offer you a religious denomination to join; the church is within the true followers of Christ. All I offer you is the truth of our Lord Jesus Christ, adding nothing, taking nothing away.
When my final day on earth comes, I want to have this true testimony. Lord, I have kept your word and I have done my best to help my brothers and sisters in this life. No hidden agenda and nothing earthly to gain. Let me prove my sincerity to you.
