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Religion of God? |
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The Bible makes it very clear that there are only two religions from which man can
choose — those of men, or the religion of God. The statement made by Jesus in
Matthew 12:30 will haunt many people in the Day of Judgment. Jesus warned,
"He that is not with me is against me, and he that gathereth not with me
scattereth abroad."
To choose a man-made religion (any denomination) over the church of Christ (Christ's church) places one in direct opposition to the Lord. The reason it is the church of Christ is because the church belongs to Christ. He promised to build the church (Matt. 16:18) which is His body over which He is head (Eph. 1:22- 23). Men's religion has always been attractive and pleasing to men, but it has never pleased God. Churches founded by men lack the authority that comes from heaven and are thus of no benefit to one seeking to be a worshiper of God. Let us apply some principles found in First Kings 18 that will benefit us today. And Has Many Followers Elijah was one man seeking to serve God, but Baal's false prophets numbered 450. The odds always seem to be in favor of Satan and the world. A depraved religion will always attract and pacify an immoral and depraved humanity. It was Barabbas, the noted murderer and insurrectionist that the morally corrupt Jews wanted released instead of Christ (Matt. 27:21). Today, Christ is crucified afresh as people pledge their allegiance to man-made churches and scoff at the Lord's church. The false prophets of Baal were zealous in their religion as they "cried aloud, and cut themselves after their manner with knives and lances, till the blood gushed out upon them." (1 Ki. 18:28 ASV). Today, many are zealous of their religion as they devoutly defend worship that is not authorized by the Scriptures. The apostle Paul rightly describes those who refuse to be guided by a "thus saith the Lord" as those who "have a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge. For being ignorant of God's righteousness, and seeking to establish their own, they did not subject themselves to the righteousness of God." (Rom. 10:2-3 ASV). Earnestness without humble submission to and obedience of the word of God is vain. The followers of Baal were deceived and so are those today who follow men instead of Christ. The disciples of Baal cried out, "but there was neither voice, nor any answer, nor any that regarded." (1 Ki. 18:29 ASV). The Lord will not answer nor regard those today who are worshipping in religious error. Christ said that, "Every plant which my heavenly Father planted not, shall be rooted up. Let them alone: they are blind guides. And if the blind guide the blind, both shall fall into a pit." (Matt. 15:13-14 ASV). And Has Few Followers Elijah thought that he was all alone in seeking to do God's will, but it was revealed to him that there were still 7,000 in Israel who had not bowed down to Baal (2 Ki. 19:18; cf. Rom. 11:4). Elijah was not alone in his struggle to worship according to God's will and neither are we alone today in our struggle to worship "in spirit and in truth" (Jn. 4:24). But compared to the followers of false teachers, followers of righteousness are indeed few in number. Being unpopular and in the minority must never deter those who value their souls from doing what is godly and right. Every Person Must Decide Who He Will Follow There are two ways between which to choose -- God's and man's. The Bible tells us that these two are as far apart as daylight and darkness. "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith Jehovah. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts" (Isa. 55:8-9 ASV). How much more clearly can God state that what man "thinks" and "feels" doesn't matter when it comes to acceptable work and worship? The question of First Kings 18:21 is appropriate to ask of people today: "How long go ye limping between the two sides? If Jehovah be God, follow him; but if Baal, then follow him. And the people answered him not a word." The principle today is this: "If Christ be the founder of the church, then follow Him; but if men are the legitimate and scriptural founders of the church, then follow them." Salvation is in Christ Jesus (2 Tim. 2:10), not in some man! All will be judged by the word of Christ, not by the word of men. Most people today must be convinced that John 12:48 reads like this: "It does not matter if one rejects Christ and receives not His sayings. He will be judged by the creeds, opinions, and feelings of men." What a contrast with what the Bible teaches! Jesus says, "He that rejecteth me and receiveth not my sayings, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I spake, the same shall judge him in the last day." Will you choose the religion of man, or the religion of God? The eternal destiny of your soul depends on the choice you make! |