Where is Your Faith?

So many good lessons taught today about Truth, prayer, and the use of the tongue. Now to process and apply. Not so easy.

Pastor Rich shared something this morning that I had never seen in this way before. He said that Christianity is the only "religion" in the world that is not culturally based: Hinduism & Buddhism are essentially culturally based in Asia; Judaism, Israel; Islam, Arab countries; Catholicism, Italy; Mormonism, America...

Arab nations consider America and Western Europe "Christian." Interestingly, I have heard many Americans balking about not being called a Christian nation anymore, and, yet, Christianity has never had a national identity. Even when it was birthed in the heart of Israel, the Jews who were saved were scattered all over the world, from many different locations and languages.

"We talk about a Christian nation--there has never been such a thing. There are Christians in the nations, but not Christian nations." ~Oswald Chambers

God has revealed Himself to humans, but since the Fall, we are naturally inclined to create our own traditions, philosophies, and culturally-based religions.

"For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them.

"For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse.

"For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Claiming to be wise, they became fools, and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling mortal man and birds and animals and creeping things." (Rom 1:19-23)

But God has pointed out to us from the beginning that Jesus Christ is the basis of our relationship to God (read Isaiah 42:1-9).

In light of this, it is interesting that many hate Christianity and call those who adhere to the Bible's teachings, bigots. I suspect it is because they have either never seen a true Christian who lives out the teachings of the Bible or they have chosen to be ignorant.

The Gospel of Christ is the only call that goes out to people of every race, creed, colour, and sex and says that we can come and be one family through Jesus Christ. It isn't based on how smart you are, what education you've had, what connections, what talents...It is all centred on confessing faith in Jesus' payment for our sin. To me, that is inclusive.

Yet it is exclusive. The way to God is narrow (Matthew 7:13-14). It is only through Jesus that we may come (John 14:6), because the basis of all true faith is founded on Him.

The road of deception is broad. Many will choose to follow their own beliefs, traditions, cultural allegiances, and philosophies. Yet, God's call is to "as many as receive Him to them He gives the right to be called Sons of God."

If true faith is based on Jesus Christ, who is revealed in the Bible, how true is your faith? Do you trust your own philosophies, the traditions of your church, the beliefs of your parents, your own experiences?

Experiences, philosophies, cultures, and opinions are born and destroyed. God's Word will never pass away.

Life is short. Don't put it off.