For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.
--John 3:16
It seems like more and more, you hear people talking about how all the religions of the world are really leading to the same God. They want everyone to just get along, put aside our differences, and make this world a giant, hug-filled place of peace.
Since 9/11 and with every horrific terrorist attack, like this week’s in London, you also hear and read that all faiths are divisive and deadly. We simply need to be more tolerant of others faiths by sacrificing the truth of the gospel.
If we’re not careful, we as Christians can fall into this peaceful sounding trap. While you and I as believers are certainly to be characterized by peace and love, we are not to give up or give in on our convictions…and give credibility to another false religion.
The truth of Christ divides people. Christ certainly preached a message of love and forgiveness, but He made it clear that not all gods are equal and there is only one path to God. He is the ONLY way!
People of this world don’t like the gospel of Christ; they see it as narrow-minded and divisive. The world praises the idea of one religion that unifies everyone—which in fact is coming. But the problem is that it will be the religion of evil in the end times.
Don’t surrender the truth of the Gospel for the sake of peace. We know that Christ is the only answer to the world’s need, so be ready with that answer for people who are desperately searching for something real to believe in.
Never compromise on the gospel!
by Dr. Paul Chappell
“Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him shew out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom. But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth. This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish. For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work.”
James 3:13–16
In Pilgrim’s Progress, John Bunyan describes in vivid detail many of the people Christian meets as he travels from the City of Destruction to find salvation. Though a few of them are helpful, many hinder his journey. Among the first people Christian meets is someone called Worldly Wiseman who inhabits the city of Carnal Policy, and tries to soothe Christian’s fears about the state of his soul. Worldly Wiseman mocks the gospel message Christian has heard, and warns that if he attempts to follow that path, he will suffer greatly. He tries to divert Christian from the right path by offering alternatives to what God has declared. Only the return of Evangelist keeps Christian from being turned away from seeking eternal life.
The world is filled with voices that offer us advice that appeals to our pride, our intellect, and our appetites, but is contrary to God’s purpose and plan. Just as he does with so much else, the devil offers a counterfeit version of true wisdom, designed to lead us astray. Divine wisdom provides us direction and guidance for daily living in a way that is both pleasing to God and powerful in influencing those around us toward Him. “Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time” (Colossians 4:5). One of the distinguishing characteristics that allows us to discern the difference between God’s wisdom and worldly wisdom is the focus. Worldly wisdom only cares about the temporal and physical, while God’s wisdom is concerned with the eternal.
Today’s Growth Principle:
The world’s wisdom is appealing, but because it is contrary to God’s wisdom, it only leads to ruin.
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