Of all the statistics we hear on
America, few likely are more inaccurate than the one that claims around 70% of
Americans are Christians. Sure, that’s what they said, but the term is so
loosely used, it can mean about anything. One of the most unfortunate
identities of Christian, and about the most far off, are those who simply have
a belief in God. There are many, and it seems to be ever-growing, who do not
even believe the Bible, or not all of it, or have severely misinterpreted it. (Or
they do not believe it to be true, or choose to willingly ignore parts of it
anyway.) Rather, this group in “Christianity” rests on their belief in a god
they are rather unfamiliar with.
Often, their beliefs involve a
Creation-Evolution mix- A god created us and then stepped back and let things
happen. He is not really involved in things. Yet when they are in a bind, they
put their trust in this god to see them through trouble.
You have probably noticed that I
have not been capitalizing "god". This is because the god they identify with is
very different from who God truly is. This group really has no way to determine
what their god is because they are unwilling to accept the Bible. Doing so
would subject them to it.
But apart from the Bible, God’s
Word, god can be whoever they want to make him. This is why you can ask someone
if they believe in God, and while it may be a start, it may also mean very little.
James put it this way: “Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well:
the devils also believe, and tremble.” (James 2:19). So you have monotheistic
beliefs? Well good for you. Demons, who used to dwell with God as angels before
they were cast out of Heaven, also know they he exists. They believe He exists;
they even tremble at the thought. But guess where they are? Hell. Where is
their eternal home? The Lake of Fire. I don’t say this to scare, but out of
love and concern. This is the reality of the situation.
When we decide to leave the Bible as
our authority, what else do we rely on to know about God? “My conscience tells
me there’s a God.” Funny, that’s in the Bible. “Look at nature, there has to be
a God when we look at this beautiful world.” Also in the Bible.
Where else do we learn about God,
about His nature and His character? Apart from His Word that He gave us, there
is nothing else but ourselves. But that is what this group desires. Do you want
to drink alcohol? The Bible says that’s not right. So we’ll make our god say
it’s okay. Want to support/be homosexual? That goes against the Bible, so our
god will be cool with that. Have sex before marriage? Be deceptive? The list
could go on. If they don’t like it, they’ll deny the Bible and make their own
rules. All while keeping a belief in “god”. How convenient.
This is exactly what Israel did in
Numbers 25. God had just gotten finished protecting them from Balaam, who was
trying to curse them. God actually turned the curses into blessings. He said that no one from the outside could touch them.
But do you know who could? Themselves. God’s protection only goes so far.
Instead, Israel runs after Baal-Peor, the Canaanite god of fertility. They
resort to filthy, pagan worship.
Because it was fun. Yes, they knew
God was the right way. They knew that He was the only true way. But they could
worship another god, still have religion, and have fun! God said sex outside of
marriage is wrong, the Canaanites and the god they created said it is a part of
worship. It sounds like a much better deal going with them.
Except God’s punishment is sure. You
can deny the Bible to avoid thinking about the side of God you want to ignore-
His wrath, judgment, and intolerance for sin- but it is still there.
“Professing themselves to be wise,
they became fools, And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image
made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and four-footed beasts, and
creeping things.” (Romans 1:22-23). This chapter speaks to atheism, but also,
as we see here, to this very problem I speak of. As Paul speaks (under the
inspiration of God) of God’s righteousness and man’s unrighteousness, he cannot
do it without mentioning this. People, rather than accepting God as He is,
change Him into an image more like themselves. Because a god that is like
humans won’t hold us to higher standards. This goes against the glory of the
true God. And those who do it the Bible says are fools.
Do not fall under the common error
of our society of having an aura of faith while still living how you please and
believing what you want. God is not to be made by man; He made man. Hence we do
not dictate terms to Him, He dictates the terms to us. And I think when you
dive into it, you’ll find He’s much more fair than some give Him credit.
Submit yourself to the true God, the
God of the Bible. This begins by accepting His mercy and grace, and avoiding
His judgment. “But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and
in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach; That if thou shalt
confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that
God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man
believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto
salvation. For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be
ashamed. For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same
Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. For whosoever shall call
upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” (Romans 10:8-13). The saving from
Hell comes only through placing your faith in Jesus Christ’s death, burial, and
resurrection- not a general belief in god.
Faith in God is not a bad thing; we
should recognize that He exists. But having faith is not enough- you must PLACE
your faith in Him to receive salvation and for Him to begin working on your life.
I have not regretted it, and you will not either.
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