Jesus said to his disciples, and to as many as will hear, “all power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.” (Matthew 28:18-20)
These are plain words and there is no room for confusion about what he meant. “Teach all nations” includes every country and every race upon the face of the earth. But look at the nations around the world and we see that only a small minority of people look to the Bible for guidance. Buddha and Mohammed receive far more reverence than the words of Jesus.
Some nations such as our own call themselves a Christian nation, but is this really what we see? How many true Christians do you know? Not just church goers, but how many do you know that keep the word of God with all their heart and mind, walking daily in obedience to all his commandments? If all the pagan religions, and manmade religions, and outright unbelievers are eliminated, the number of true followers shrink to a scattered remnant. Such spiritual darkness reigns in this world that very little of the light of Christ shines through. His commandments are replaced with religious formalities that revolve around numbers and feel-good gatherings.
Major religious denominations are denominations that are managed like a business and each one has its own accepted doctrine and will allow no one who strays from what they want to hear. They push the perverted teaching that we are all sinners, but God will ignore this if we will only “invite him into our heart.” Once this is done, there is no chance that the member can ever be lost. This smooth, beguiling doctrine comes from the depths of Satan and is leading countless multitudes to hell.
Another form of religion is based solely on emotions. If the person doesn’t “feel” something, they need to pray more and try harder until a spirit takes hold of them and gives them what they are seeking. Even though this notion can’t be found in the holy scriptures, many are certain that it’s true because they “felt it themselves.”
The apostle Paul gave us solemn warning, “let no man beguile you” (which means to let someone mislead or deceive you) “of your reward in a voluntary humility and worshipping of angels, intruding into those things which he hath not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind.” (Colossians 2:18)
Your reward is the promise that you “shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” (John 8:32) And the truth shall show you the way to eternal life. But if you are beguiled by a lying spirit that convinces you against the written word of God, your reward is taken from you. Following after the doctrines and traditions of men, as most of the world does.
“Voluntary humility and worshipping of angels” are practiced when men take it upon themselves to create and follow religious doctrines without regard for the steadfast teaching of Jesus and his apostles. They voluntarily humble themselves before their perverted doctrine and worship the spirit that causes them to “feel” that it is right. Let us never forget that those religious men who had Jesus put to death felt that they did God a service. Many today reject the truth of the gospel and think they do God a service. “Intruding into those things which he hath not seen” (the hidden mysteries of God’s word). Becoming arrogant and “puffed up” by his own fleshly mind (not spiritually minded).
By presenting a false doctrine in the name of Jesus Christ, they raise up a false image of Christ. Jesus said that many false Christs and false prophets would arise, showing great signs and wonders, compelling people to follow them, deceiving even the very elect if it were possible.
Because they turned their back on the truth of Christ and go after a lie, they have crucified to themselves the son of God afresh. “And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie.” (2 Thessalonians 2:11)
God himself will send strong delusion, causing those who reject the gospel and go after false doctrine to believe the lie they follow. They are sure it must be right because they “feel” something, but in most cases the feeling they have is a strong delusion sent from God, as he said he would do.
There is substance in the truth of God’s word. It is satisfying, it erases confusion and doubt, it brings peace and comfort to our spirit, it is a bright and shining light in this world of spiritual darkness. Truth cannot be learned by the wisdom of men and their great religious empires. They cannot force God to meet their demands just because they use the name of Jesus, calling him Lord, but building their religious house of straw and sticks, which will all perish when tried by fire.
Many in religion today claim to be born again, but still follow and teach a lie. If there were nothing else to warn us, this is enough to show us that such a person does not know God or his holy Son Jesus. To know God is to know his word. To know Jesus is to know the word. To be filled with the Holy Ghost is to be filled with the truth of his word, “Even the spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive.“
“Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you.” (Matthew 7:7) That door that must be opened is Christ, and our mind is opened to receive understanding when he speaks to our spirit.
Paul said, “study to show thyself approved unto God.” Not trying to prop up our own personal opinions but allowing the word of God to reshape our thinking, making us a new creature in Christ.
