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It may surprise some to learn that there are only two religions. The slogan familiar to man
encourages a person to attend the church (or religion) of his choosing. This popular concept
does not come from the Word of God. The Bible reveals only two religions — the religion of man
and the religion of God! Obviously, folks can and do choose between the two.
Let us discuss this group of people first. There are people who choose to reject both man's religion and God's religion! Some are simply "anti religion" and have determined that any religious teaching will not influence them. They are more than willing to trust their future to either their own thinking or that of a fellow human being. There are also those who are atheists. They do not believe in God! The humanistic philosophy is quite popular and more and more folks exalt themselves as gods. In an age of prosperity, countless millions have convinced themselves that they are quite capable of taking care of their own needs. Many of this number are convinced they do not need the Creator's guidance. The remainder of this group prefers to believe in man's theory of evolution instead of the Biblical account of Creation. In tracing their family tree, they would be better served at the city zoo than the local library! The religion of man is attractive and popular because it offers man exactly what he is seeking. The majority of folks want to be "fashioned according to this world," and they have no intention of being "transformed" by the word of God (Romans 12:2 ASV). A transformation would require true repentance (Matthew 21:28-31), and these people have no intention of giving up the way they want to live and the way they want to worship. A morally corrupt religion will always be popular with a perverted humanity. People today who are determined to live in sin while enjoying the sanction of religion will search until they find some religious group to embrace them. Life's highway is lined with man-made religions that offer a perverted love and a non-judgmental atmosphere to all who come their way. These groups swell in number because countless millions want to enjoy the pleasures of sin while being assured that they will be saved by the grace of God. Sadly, more and more churches of Christ are becoming nothing more than man-made religious groups. They have determined that in order to meet the payments on their multimillion dollar facilities designed to please man, they must have a building full of bodies delighted to contribute to an "I'm okay, you're okay, everybody is okay" philosophy. These people are more interested in a building full of Christians than just a building full of bodies. Baal's prophets numbered 450 and there was only Elijah who was willing to contend for the way of God (1 Kings 18). It is said by some of our liberal minded and wayward brethren today that unless we change the church's doctrine and compromise our Biblical convictions that we will see people walk out our doors never to return. Elijah, God's prophet and mouthpiece knew that there were two opinions — God's and man's. He also knew that God's thoughts and ways were not man's thoughts and ways (Isaiah 55:8). Elijah understood what so many refuse to understand today. The choice is between the "wisdom of man" and the "wisdom of God" (1 Corinthians 1:18-31). It is a choice between "sin unto death," or "obedience unto righteousness" (Romans 6:16 ASV). Elijah did not compromise the religion of God nor extend fellowship to those in religious error. "Elijah came near unto all the people, and said, 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" (1 Kings 18:21 ASV). Read verses 22 through 40 of First Kings 18 to learn whether man's religions or God's religion won the victory. We might ask of all religious folks today, "How long will you try and straddle the fence? If Jehovah be God, follow Him and all of His inspired Word. If the founders of man-made religions be God, then follow them and their human creeds." Man did not purchase the Lord's church (Acts 20:28) and neither is man the Saviour of the body (Ephesians 5:23). There is only "one body" (Eph. 4:4) that believers are "baptized into" (1 Corinthians 12:13) when they obey the gospel plan of salvation (Romans 10:17; Luke 13:3; Romans 10:9-10; Acts 2:38). Baptism (immersion, see Romans 6:4) is the consummating act that puts one into Christ (Galatians 3:27). It is in this life that we must make the right choice. It will be too late in the next one. |