It Does Matter

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It Does Matter

“It does  not  matter.”     That’s what we hear  from many sources  when talking  about religion.     Many nod  in agreement,  saying that  if we all just obey the Golden Rule,  it simply doesn’t matter  what religious practices  and beliefs  we hold to.

They boldly proclaim  that there are both “truths”  and “misconceptions”  in every religion,  so it doesn’t matter  which religion  you prefer.     Different strokes  for different folks.     Therefore,  they conclude  even an atheist  can gain eternal life  if he practices  the Golden Rule.

Their motto is:  be politically correct.     Don’t push  your religious beliefs  on anyone,  because they might be  more “saved”  than you are,  if they practice  what they preach  and you don’t.     They preach  that whatever you figure out  to be “truth”  in your conscience  is what you should use  as the “truth”  that guides your life.

Does all that  make us cower  in a corner,  afraid to speak  of our faith?     It shouldn’t.

God does not want us  to mindlessly accept  just any ol’ thing  as truth  because we are dealing  with the God  of truth.     There can be only one truth  when it comes  to God.     Claiming  that every religion speaks “truth”  is the same  as calling the LORD God Almighty  a liar,  because He says  Jesus is the only Way,  Truth,  and Life.     The Bible has many verses  which actually demonstrate  God’s truthfulness  in comparison  to the beliefs  of the world.

Throughout the Bible,  the LORD says  it does matter  what we believe.

Paul points out  a few things  in Titus 1:2, saying,  “… in the hope  of eternal life,  which God,  who cannot lie,  promised long ages ago …..”       Ages ago  God promised  eternal life  to all  who put their faith  in the Savior.     Paul says  God cannot lie.    How can we be assured  of that?     What makes the Bible better  than other religious writings?

The Bible was written  over thousands  of years  by many different writers.     Prophecies were written  describing the life,  suffering,  death,  and resurrection  of the Savior.     They all came true  exactly as promised.     In each of those,  God has proven  He keeps His word  and does not lie.     Because God allowed  His Son  to die  for our sins,  taking our punishment  upon Himself,  God is proven trustworthy.

God doesn’t lead us  in His truth  because we  are so wonderful.     Psalm 23:3 says, “He guides me in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake.”     Just think.     For the sake  of His own good name,  to prove His righteousness,  God continues  to guide us  in righteousness,  even though we stumble around  a lot.

That’s something  to be thankful for.

This trustworthy God  of truth  said in Isaiah 45:5-6,  “I am the LORD,  and there is no other.     Besides Me  there is no God.     I will gird you,  though you have not known Me;   that men may know  from the rising  to the setting  of the sun  there is no one  besides Me.     I am the LORD,  and there is  no other.”

God’s fulfilled promises  should lead us  to realize  there is  no other god.

In Isaiah 44,  God talks about idol worshipers  who do not understand  how to know truth.     God says the pagans  will cut down a tree,  use some  of the wood  to keep warm,  some for cooking,  and make the rest  into an idol.     Since he cannot realize  that he is bowing down  to a block  of wood,  God says,   “He feeds on ashes;  a deceived heart  has turned him aside.     And he cannot deliver himself,  nor say,  ‘Is there not a lie  in my right hand?’”

Since God has proven  His trustworthiness  and love  in Christ,  we can be  fully assured  that all other philosophies  and religions,  along with their practices,  need to be avoided  for our salvation’s sake.

No other god  has fulfilled prophecy,  so we should not mix  their teachings  or customs  with God’s truth.

It is good  to be seeking God  and looking  for truth.     When we find it  in the LORD,  we need  to hold onto it  for dear life.     We are  to keep God’s word  as pure  and holy  in our lives.     Let it strengthen us  to eternal life, as we declare,  “Hallelujah!”

Love,
Margaret

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A Christian devotional  to glorify  the LORD of lords  and GOD of gods.

Pray for our country.

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The LORD  made this day, let us rejoice  and be glad  in Him.

Psalm 118:24

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The word of the LORD is tried;

He is a shield  to all  who take refuge  in Him.

Psalm 18:30

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Sing for joy  in the LORD,  O you righteous ones;

Praise is becoming  to the upright.

Psalm 33:1

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How blessed are those  who dwell  in Thy house!

They are ever praising Thee.

Psalm 84:4

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Just as a father  has compassion  on his children,

So the LORD  has compassion  on those who fear Him.

Psalm 103:13

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O give thanks  to the LORD,  for He is good;

For His lovingkindness  is everlasting.

Psalm 107:1

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Glory in His holy name;

Let the heart  of those who seek the LORD  be glad.

Psalm 105:3

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Not that I have already obtained it,  or have already  become perfect,   but I press on  in order that  I may  lay hold  of that  for which also  I was laid hold of  by Christ Jesus.

Philippians 3:12

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