WHAT DO WE REALLY BELIEVE?
If there is only one God and one begotten Son of God, Jesus Christ, why are there so many Christian denominations?
If a child – your child asked you that question, what would you say?
If we all believe in God: Jehovah – I AM and in Jesus Christ- and if Jesus says in John 17:21-22
That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me. And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one:
Why are there thousands of different Christian denominations all over the world?
It’s something to think about, wouldn’t you say?
More so, it’s something to pray about.
We know the scripture verses, I’m sure:
For many are called, but few are chosen – Matthew 22:14
“Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. 22 Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ 23 And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’ Matthew 7:21-23
So many denominations. So many practices. So much doctrine.
Yet, we all “Believe”.
We say we believe in God.
We say we believe in Christ.
We say we follow Christ.
Yet, Matthew 7:21-23 and 22:14 say what they say and mean what they say!
Have we ever paused to examine our belief?
Perhaps I should say, to examine what it really is that we believe in?
There comes a time when doctrinal loyalty replaces faith in God and Christ alone.
There also comes a time when our belief in our religious beliefs replace our belief in God and our pursuit of God.
“And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart.” Jeremiah 29:13
“For he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.” Hebrews 11:6b
We cannot deny what the bible says about the many falsehoods that will exist in these end times. By way of false leaders, prophets and doctrines.
The deceit will not always be as evident to us as we might think it will be.
That is why Christ urges us not to “lean on our own understanding” – Proverbs 3:5
That is why Christ promised us the Holy Spirit who will “guide us into all truth” – John 16:3
That is why Christ tells us to “seek to know the One True God and Jesus Christ whom He sent” John 17:3
It is a very tricky and slippery slope, brethren.
Satan is called the deceiver for a reason. He is quite good at what he does.
“The thief cometh but to steal, kill and destroy” John 10:10a
But Christ said “His sheep follow Him because they KNOW His voice.” John 10:4b
That is why we must make becoming one with Christ our only aim.
Not knowledge, not riches, not a “good life”, but the manifestation of the gift of the Atonement – as purchased by the blood of Christ – in our lives.
If our goal is Him, above ALL THINGS – Christ, then, He will “Keep us in the way and bring us to the place that has been prepared for us”.
Let us pause and examine ourselves.
Not by vainly saying, “I know”, but by humbly saying, “Only you know, Lord. Search me…and lead me in the way everlasting”. Psalm 139:23-24
“Jesus answered them, Do ye now believe? Behold, the hour cometh, yea, is now come, that ye shall be scattered, every man to his own, and shall leave me alone: and yet I am not alone, because the Father is with me.”. John 16:31-32
It happened then.
It happens every single day in Christianity now.
It will continue to happen until the day when all things cease.
The only way we will be counted as those who believe in Him is not by royal proclamation or the beating of the chest, but by a total giving up of our lives to Him, and letting Him live in and through us. This is not done by human effort. Our effort is in the turning to Him. He, personally, does the transformation.
“ But whenever someone turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. For the Lord is the Spirit, and wherever the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. So all of us who have had that veil removed can see and reflect the glory of the Lord. And the Lord—who is the Spirit—makes us more and more like him as we are changed into his glorious image.” 2 Corinthians 3:16-18
The handmaid at His feet.
The handmaid at His feet 