Religious But Lost
A Japanese express train was racing toward Tokyo from a mountain village. Most of the passengers in the first-class coach were concentrating on the problem of maintaining life in the midst of their population explosion. A university freshman who was seated next to a missionary had his mind on religion. “Tell me,” he asked the missionary, “What is the difference between Christianity and other religions?” “Christianity is not a religion,” replied the missionary. The college student was surprised and asked, “How can you, a Christian missionary, say that? Man searches for God by means of religion. Can’t man find Him by means of Christianity as well as any other religion?” “You are right,” said the missionary, “when you say that man seeks God by means of religion.” Man has manufactured thousands of religious systems to aid him in his search for God. However, it is not God but man who is lost. Once and for all God has revealed himself to man. Salvation has been provided for all who will accept it on God’s terms. Religion is vain because through religion man seeks to do what God has already done. We read in 1 John 5:11, This is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.
Indeed it is man who is lost. The eternal God, the giver of everlasting life is searching for His sheep who have gone astray. There never has been and never will be a religious system which can undo the damage done to mankind through sin. By His very nature, God cannot overlook sin. He must punish it. So he sacrificed His Son, Jesus Christ, on the cross to pay the penalty for man’s sin. It is Jesus and Jesus only who can save us.
There have been, millions of earnest people, who have been deceived into thinking that religion saves. The sad calamity is that there are many people, who go to church regularly, who have never experienced a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. They are religious but lost. We read in John 3:36, He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life. Furthermore, we are told in this verse He that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him. What could be clearer than this? If we have received Christ into our life, we are saved. If we have not received Christ, God’s wrath abides on us and we are lost. “But,” someone says, “this isn’t fair.” Why not? God paid an enormous price for our salvation. Christ died on the cross for our sin. He did not die for His own sins for He had none. There is nothing in all the whole wide world that could be fairer on God’s part than His sending His only Son to provide eternal salvation for us.
A story is told about John Wesley who, in a dream, found himself at the gates of hell. He knocked and asked, “Are there any Roman Catholics in there?” “Yes,” was the answer. “Any church of England people?” And again the answer was “Yes.” “Are there any Presbyterians?” “Yes, a great many.” “Are there any Wesleyans?” “Yes, we have some of them too.” Disappointed, especially by the last reply, he turned his steps upward and at last came to the gates of heaven. Here he repeated the same questions. “Do you have any Wesleyans in there?” he anxiously inquired. The answer was “No.” And as he named the other denominations, to his dismay each time the answer was “No.” “Then who is in there?” he asked in desperation. “We know nothing here of the names you have mentioned,” said the angel, “Only Christians are here: born again people. Of these we have a great multitude which no man can number, gathered out of all nations and kindred and peoples and tongues.” Of course, this was only a dream but the message is clear.
In Revelation 1: 5,6 we are told of the song that will be sung by those who go to heaven Unto Him that loved us, and washed us from our sins, in His own blood, and hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father: to Him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen. True believers will be singing praises unto the One who purchased their right to heaven by the shedding of His own blood. If you were to go to heaven on any other grounds, you would have reason to boast. But no one in heaven will ever be able to boast about putting himself or herself there. It is only by the grace of God through Jesus Christ.
A preacher invited a young man to receive Christ to be eternally saved. The reply was, “I have tried religion for the past five years and it hasn’t worked. I gave it up.” Said the preacher, “Well, I tried religion for 15 years and it did nothing for me either. I gave it up too.” A pause followed. “Then why are you a minister?” the young man asked. “I tried Christ and He met all my needs. It is not religion I am recommending to you but a living, loving Lord and Savior.” It isn’t religion that saves. It is Christ. If yours is a false hope through religion of any kind, go to the Word of God and read carefully the Gospel of John. Pray as you read and you will discover reality.
Don’t be like those who say, “Well, I do what I think is right. That’s enough for me.” In the book of Kings we read about those who had the same thought. Every man did that which was right in his own eyes. But in Proverbs 14:12 God says, There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death. There is only one way of salvation. It is not through any particular denomination. It is through Jesus Christ and Jesus Christ alone. He said, I am the way, the truth, and the life. No man cometh unto the Father but by me (John 14:6). Do not overlook the message of God. Just now, receive the Lord Jesus into your life, if you never have, and you will be ever thankful.
J. Allen Blair
Living Faithfully
Devotional Studies from 2nd Peter
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Clear Direction
by Gary Janes
The other day my brother-in-law, Mel, sent me a picture of a vintage weather vane he installed on his garage in Virginia. The rooster sits proudly atop and points his head clearly in the direction of the wind. Just a glance and you'll see how far from north he is pointing. Help others by pointing them in the right direction, UP! Order the tract by Dr. Blair, Make Sure of Heaven. $1.50/doz. + $1.00 p/h. We will pay the tax for North Carolina orders.
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God’s Timing by Pastor Geoffrey Janes
My wife and I decided we should buy a house. We checked our budget and began house hunting. We finally found the house that we thought we wanted to buy, went back three or four times, prayed, and talked about how perfect this house would be for us.
Then came the day to make the offer. At the realtor’s office, just as we were getting ready to sign the papers, Nancy and I looked uneasily at each other, and just knew that this wasn’t right. Of course, we made one realtor quite upset. But when the Spirit of God moves within you, it is hard to ignore. So we walked away from the American dream, not quite sure why. Nearly a year later, God led us to Green Valley Baptist Church, where I am working as Pastor of Students. Looking back, it is quite plain to see, that had we bought that house, moving would have been that much more difficult. Even though I thought I had the best plan for my family figured out, God had a better plan.
King David had to choose to obey God many times in his life. As a great warrior and king, David decided to build a temple to house the Ark of the Covenant. After consulting Nathan, the prophet, it became clear to David that he was not the one to build the temple. That would be his son Solomon’s job. David chose to listen to God’s “No.” Next time God says “No,” walk away. No matter how great your plan might seem to you, God’s plan will always be better.
Listen to God, and you will not be disappointed!