Imaginary god
Many have a god
who is a product of their own mind; a god to whom all roads
are equal and who judges no one for his deeds
Contents:
"My God is so open-minded that He
works with all religions. All paths are equal and lead to
His communion."
Logical contradictions in the
previous view; all religions and beliefs cannot be true at
the same time. They may differ in the number of gods,
methods of salvation, or the idea of what is after this
life
Has man been at the top or arrived?
Are these people Hindus?
Respect for those who think
differently
"My God is so loving that He does
not condemn anyone to hell. There is no judgment."
In addition to Christianity, other
religions talk about hell, such as Buddhism and Islam. The
law of karma in Hinduism also refers to judgment. There is
no forgiveness, but man has to reap what he has sown
Do these people believe in an evil
God? If God does not react to evil and turns a blind eye to
the actions of unrepentant dictators and wrongdoers, he
cannot be considered a good God. Hell is God's solution for
unrepentant wrongdoers
The secular justice system refers to
the possibility of judgment. Criminals such as murderers and
thieves are held accountable for their actions, and God can
be expected to act according to the same principle. Both
have the same model, so the idea of a day of reckoning
after death should be taken seriously
Imaginary God. When many today
accept things that were previously clearly considered wrong
in light of the Bible, these people have an imaginary God.
They claim to know better than Jesus and the apostles he
appointed. This attitude can be considered arrogance
Conscience and a sense of guilt for
wrongdoing point to the possibility of judgment
Attitude towards missionary work. If
one believes in the equality of all religions and beliefs,
missionary work is not seen as necessary
Experiencing God's love is one
reason for missionary work. Hindus and other religious
groups do not know the God of love that appears in the
Bible.
The lack of salvation and assurance
of salvation among people is the reason for missionary work.
Jesus is the solution to this
Bound people are the reason for
missionary work. Many live in fear of spirits and slavery
from which Jesus can free them
In modern times, many
question the Christian faith. Creation in particular has been called into
question. People don't believe that God created everything in six days, but
they believe in the birth of life by itself, in Darwin's theory and the long
periods it requires. People stick to these theories, even though the origin of
life has not been proven and intermediate forms between basic groups have not
been found. It has been confirmed by several famous scientists and
paleontologists.
One thing that
people have also questioned is the Christian concept of God. These people do
not believe in the God who has revealed himself in the Bible and through Jesus
Christ. They do not believe what the Bible teaches about him. Instead, they
speak of their god, saying, "My God is such and such." In practice, it usually
means the following sayings and concepts:
“My god is so
broad-minded that He works in all religions. All paths are equal and will lead
us to Him.”
“My god is so
accepting that He doesn’t condemn anyone to hell. There is no judgment.”
“MY GOD IS SO
BROAD-MINDED THAT HE WORKS IN ALL RELIGIONS. ALL PATHS ARE EQUAL AND WILL LEAD
US TO HIM.”
Logical
contradictions.
When we begin to examine the view that all roads are equal and lead to the
same God - as presented in the previous example - we immediately encounter
logical contradictions. They can only be passed by rejecting the special
features of these religions. The following things cause problems:
• The question of the
number of gods is the first problem. For example, Buddhism and Confucianism
have no god, while Hinduism has over 300 million. In Hinduism it is also
believed in the divinity of everything. Instead, Islam, Judaism and
Christianity teach the existence of one God. So when the number of gods varies
so much - no god at all, one or millions of gods - how can all these paths and
beliefs lead to the same God? Not all options can be true at the same time.
• The perception of
God's nature varies. E.g. Muslims do not believe in the biblical teaching that
God has revealed Himself in Jesus Christ and that there is the Father, Son,
and Holy Spirit in God. Muslims also do not understand God's love. Even in
Hinduism, god's love and forgiveness is not known as in the Christian faith.
• Either salvation is
by grace (Jesus' work for us) or by works (the most common conception in
religions), but not through both at the same time.
• The concept of life
after death varies: In Buddhism and other religions it is believed in heaven
and hell, while the Hindus do not believe in them. These concepts are
opposites to each other, and it is impossible that the same things do not
exist and exist at the same time.
• Reincarnation
(Hinduism, Buddhism) and non-reincarnation (Islam, Judaism, Christianity,
etc.) cannot both be true at the same time.
Have people been
at the top?
As stated, many believe that truth is relative or that there are many
different paths to God. They do not believe in the existence of a single truth
that can only be found in the Bible, but consider the presentation of such a
view to be narrow-minded. Instead, in this view, everyone can choose the form
of Christianity or other religiosity that suits them, because all paths are
equally good. Religion is measured only by moral grounds and nothing else
matters.
One must ask such
a person: How do you know that? Do you have concrete information on the
matter? Have you been across the border, do you know the conditions there and
on what basis does God accept people? That is, if someone has lived for a few
decades only on earth, he cannot know things beyond the border based on his
limited experience. Although he can present his views and opinions, they lack
a concrete basis. It's a question of his imagination and what he wants to
believe and not of certain knowledge. Such information is of little
importance.
The former is due
to the fact that if someone has lived for a few decades, and only on earth,
such a person cannot accurately know what is beyond the border. He may have
opinions but no personal experience of the afterlife, so it is questionable to
trust such a person's certain claims and opinions. If they are trusted, it is
the same as asking directions about New York from a Chinese or an African
farmer who’s never been there. Such a person cannot give correct information
because he does not know these regions.
So, when we're
looking for guidance about New York City, we ask someone who's been there and
knows the area. Only such a person can provide information that is reliable.
Only he knows exactly what New York City is like and where each attraction or
one of its areas is located. He can guide us and give us the right
information.
It is the same
with eternity. In that area, one person knows and knows the afterlife. He is
Jesus who came from eternity and went back to eternity. He has no ambiguity
about what lies beyond the border because he is the Son of God and has been
with God the Father before coming to earth. He is certainly the best and most
reliable expert we can turn to. Of course, we can't check the accuracy of his
words either. We can only consider them to be true or false. Many unbelieving
priests consider them a lie, that is, claim Jesus as a liar. He himself said
that he was the truth and that he spoke the truth. Which option is correct:
Jesus' words about himself or the opposing views of some contemporary priests?
Something of the
previous view emerges from the following quotation. It shows the notion that
all roads lead to the top, that is, to God, and that it doesn't matter what
you believe. It is considered a tolerant thought, but in reality it is a
philosophical view that is difficult to prove true. If a person has not been
to the "top of the mountain" and does not know the conditions beyond the
border, it is a question only of his own imagination:
Socrates:
How can you know that they all go to the top?
Sanna:
How can you know that they do not?
Socrates:
I do not know. And I do not claim that I do. But you claim that you know that
they do end up there. How can you know this if you are not standing at the
top?
Sanna:
No, I am not at the top. I do not assume that.
Socrates:
Obviously, you are assuming something else – you assume that you know that all
religions are of human origin, that they are rather our ways to God than God's
ways to us. This is what you think of religion, is it not?
Sanna:
Yes.
Socrates:
How can you know that? How can you know that it is not the opposite, as your
own religion – the Bible – claims: that God searches for people more than
people search for God?
Sanna:
I do not know. But does it make any difference?
Socrates:
If it is the invention of God and not ours – note that I do not know if it is
or not – it would make sense that there would only be one way made by God. If,
on the other hand, religion comes from man, it would make sense that there are
many ways, because there are many people, nations, and cultures. And if
religion comes from man, it would make sense that all religions are equal in
principle, because they are human, limited combinations of good and bad. If
religion comes from God, it would make sense that other religions, human
religions, would be of lower rank than the religion of God, because human
things are of lower rank than divine ones. (1)
Are these people
Hindus?
While some people believe that all beliefs are equal and that there are many
equal paths to God, these people may not know that one great world religion
teaches the same: Hinduism. So are these people Hindus? At least their view is
very similar to this religion. A Hindu holy book (Bhagavadagita, IV:11) points
out how all paths are equal:
Oh Paartha, no matter
how the people approach me, I will receive them; whatever way they use, it is
also my way.
Respect.
One characteristic of people, who think that all paths are equal, is that they
do not see the differences between religions as real. They try to deny the
differences, even though they exist as already stated earlier. They don't
think that if all truths are equal, truth becomes irrelevant. You have to
abandon logic in that.
Another
characteristic of these people is that they regard as tolerance the Hindu view
that all religions are basically the same thing and lead to the same goal.
They may also think that such a view will eliminate conflicts between
followers of religions. However, they do not take into account that in Hindu
countries, where people have the same notion as they have, this has not
happened. Hindus have attacked those who think differently.
Can this issue be
approached from another angle?
The teachings of
Jesus and the apostles can be used for this. They lead to the fact that we
should not deny the differences between beliefs - as if they did not exist.
They still exist. Instead, we are told to respect everyone and love even our
enemies. In practice, it means acknowledging the existence of different
beliefs and differences, but trying to respect people regardless. This does
not remove differences of opinion but confrontation and hostility between
different groups of people. It is tolerance and love that Jesus and the
apostles taught:
- (Matt 5:44-48)
But I say to you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do
good to them that hate you, and pray for them which spitefully use you, and
persecute you;
45 That you may be
the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he makes his sun to rise
on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.
46 For if you
love them which love you, what reward have you? do not even the publicans the
same?
47 And if you salute
your brothers only, what do you more than others? do not even the publicans
so?
48 Be you therefore
perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.
- (1 Peter 2:17)
Honor all men.
Love the brotherhood.
Fear God. Honor the king.
”my god is so accepting that he doesn’t condemn anyone to hell. there is no
judgment.”
Another common point
of view that some people have is that there is no judgment and no hell. They
reject the Bible's teachings on these matters, even though Jesus and the
apostles often referred to them. In this view, man himself decides what he
wants to believe and what not; what he wants to add or remove. He chooses a
god and faith that he happens to like. A God who condemns an unrepentant
person to hell is not part of his image of God. In this matter, however, it is
worth paying attention to the following points:
Other religions.
When exploring the previous view, it is good to start with other religions.
When these people value other religions, it is interesting that the idea of
hell or judgment also appears in them:
• In Buddhism it is
believed in hell. The murderers have no way out of there.
• In Islam it is
believed in hell.
• Hinduism has the
law of karma which refers to judgment. There is no forgiveness, but a person
has to reap what he has sown. It is basically the same as what the New
Testament teaches:
- (Gal 6:7) Be not
deceived; God is not mocked: for whatever a man sows, that shall he also
reap.
- (1 Peter 1:17) And
if you call on the Father, who without respect of persons judges
according to every man's work, pass the time of your sojourning here
in fear
Do these people
believe in an evil god?
Many, who have the former view, criticize the idea of judgment and hell, or
the God of the Old Testament and the judgments appearing in the Old Testament.
However, one must
ask such people, do they believe in an evil god? For a god that does not
respond to the evil that Hitler and other wrongdoers have done to others
cannot be a good god. If He said it didn't matter at all and if He gave his
consent to wrongdoing, he would be evil. You shouldn't believe in such a God.
However, many of these people believe. Aril Edvardsen has explained this topic
while discussing it with a person:
I let him speak and I
didn’t say a word back. “Well, maybe I believe that there is a Creator”, he
continued. “But I cannot believe in a loving and righteous God, when the Bible
says that there is hell and judgement day.”
Do you think so? I
said. ”I think the complete opposite. I could not believe in a loving and
righteous God if that, what you call hell, wouldn’t exist – a final settlement
day for people, when everyone must account for what they have done in this
life, the good and the bad.
He looked at me in
confusion and said: “You cannot be serious!”
“Yes I am!” I
replied. ”I mean exactly what I said. If tyrants, dictators, terrorists and
bad people, who have tortured and destroyed others in this life, wouldn’t have
to pay and settle for their actions sooner or later, then I couldn’t believe
that a righteous God exists.” The doctor looked at me in astonishment and I
continued: “Think about Adolf Hitler and Adolf Eichmann, who tortured and
killed millions of people in concentration camps – all the while living a
luxurious life style during the Second World War. Would they get away with it
just like that – getting shot in the head and getting hanged? The whole thing
would be over in a matter of seconds and then nothing, while many ordinary
people in this town die with much worse suffering than those two – like cancer
and other diseases.
Would Hitler and
Eichmann get off more easily from the world than others – and after death
there wouldn’t be anything? Not any kind of reckoning? …No, then I couldn’t
believe in a loving and righteous God.”
“Please continue”, he
said and I did:
“The Bible says that
God is both loving and righteous, and that is why judgement day will come to
us all, and then all of us must account for ourselves. Then wrongful people
get their doom and those, who unjustly suffered, get their amends.
The whole human life,
death and eternity would be completely without a purpose if people wouldn’t
believe in judgement day, the day of justice.”
The district doctor
sat silent and listened. All of a sudden he looked at me as if he had come up
with something entirely new.
“You are absolutely
right!” He exclaimed. “I haven’t thought of this before. That is logical. You
are totally right, sure enough. Life here on Earth is often tough and unfair
for many. People’s lives will get destroyed and the cruelty of other people
causes harm as much in marriages, families, work places, refugee camps as in
battle fields.
If you wouldn’t have
to pay for what you’ve done in this life – for all that humans have done, good
and bad – then there really couldn’t be a loving and righteous God. I must
think about this!” he mumbled. (2)
Secular Judiciary.
When many deny judgment, they do not take into account that, for example, the
secular judicial system refers to the possibility of judgment. In general, all
societies have a judicial system whose tasks include bringing murderers,
criminals and other wrongdoers to account for their actions. Physical and
sexual violence, theft, fraud and embezzlement are common criminal reasons for
which a sentence can be passed. This has been a common practice in all
societies throughout the centuries. If the judiciary works correctly – it
hasn't always worked – it stays within these frameworks.
On the other
hand, if there is a secular justice system whose duties include bringing
murderers, criminals and other wrongdoers to account for their actions, why is
it hard to believe in the idea that there is a judgment after this life as
well? Judgment after death is no more strange than the fact that people answer
for their wrongdoings in an earthly court. Either model follows the same
principle, so there is one good reason to take the idea of a posthumous day of
reckoning seriously. God will then make people answer for their actions just
as it happens now in the secular judiciary. Everyone has to account for how
they have lived and treated others. Everyone reaps what he sows.
- (Rom 14:12) So then
every one of us shall give account of himself to God.
- (Hebr 9:27) And as
it is appointed to men once to die, but after this the judgment
- (Gal 6:7) Be not
deceived; God is not mocked: for whatever a man sows, that shall he also
reap.
Imaginary god.
As noted,
some deny the existence of judgment and hell. They may consider themselves
progressive, tolerant, and loving, and explain that the New Testament
teachings in this area represent an outdated worldview that is no longer
valid. Often they talk in this context about extramarital sex affairs or the
practice of homosexuality, which they defend in the name of love. They do not
believe that the teachings of Jesus and the apostles on these matters are
correct. They reject, for example, the following verses that talk about these
things:
- (1 Cor 6:9,10)
Know you not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be
not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor
effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind,
10 Nor thieves, nor
covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortionists, shall inherit
the kingdom of God.
- (Rev 22:14,15)
Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the
tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.
15 For without
are dogs, and sorcerers, and fornicators, and murderers, and
idolaters, and whoever loves and makes a lie.
However, the view
of these people can be questioned. How do they know things better than Jesus
and the apostles? When has their God appeared in this world or to themselves?
Have they met this god? Have they been beyond the border so that they can say
with certainty that there is no judgment and no hell? Or is it all based on
their vivid imagination and what they want God to be like ("my god")? These
questions should be thought about, because there cannot be two opposite truths.
If we hold the opposite view to Jesus and the apostles, we are wrong, or if we
are right, they must have been wrong.
David Pawson
continues on the same topic. He shows - while explaining the Book of
Revelation - how it is not always decisive whether a person believes in God,
but what kind of God he believes in. It is possible that man has an imaginary
god. It means God, which is only in a person's own thoughts and head. Do you
have such a God yourself?
I have lived long
enough to realize that it isn’t that significant, whether a person believes in
God or not. What is decisive is what kind of God he believes in or does not
believe in. “I don't go to church,” many say, “but don't think I don't believe
in God. Yes, I believe." What kind of God do you believe in then?" I always
ask. That is the decisive question, not whether a person believes in God or
not. These concepts are difficult to process, which is due to our modern
perceptions, which are also prevalent inside the congregation. We have heard
so much about love that we forget that in the same letter that says "God is
love" it also says that "God is light". We have heard so much about God's
grace that we have forgotten his justice. ...In the 15th chapter of the Gospel
of Luke, it is only told about a merciful God without mentioning anything
about His justice. In the 15th chapter of the book of Revelation, it is only
told about God's justice and not a word is said about mercy. The truth
consists of both. We have to keep that in mind, or else our concept of God
will become distorted.
... The Book of
Revelation does not say anything about God or Jesus that would contradict the
Gospels. This last Book of the Book is directly given by Jesus - not by anyone
else. It is the Revelation of Jesus Christ. In other words, you must accept
the God of Revelation or reject Him. After that, you can create the God you
like, but I guess you understand that it is just a product of your own
imagination. This God is God and the Father of our Lord Jesus, and Him you
must either accept or reject. He is the only God; He is who He is and you
cannot change Him. (3)
If we continue on the
same topic, i.e. why some people deny hell and believe in the concept of
salvation for all, the main reason is surely that they have an imaginary god.
They have chosen in their minds a god that happens to please them and then
stick to that idea. They only accept things about God that please them, but
reject especially the possibility of judgment. However, they cannot present
any concrete evidence for their thoughts and cannot tell where their
information comes from.
Let's look at a
quote that refers to the same topic. It shows how a person can choose a God in
his mind that happens to please him. He only accepts the Bible's teachings
about a loving and forgiving God, but no judgment for the unrepentant. This
kind of theology is characteristic of many unbelieving theologians and people
alienated from God. They take only the good things from the Bible, but reject
those that do not please them. Then it is worth asking why they usually read
the Bible or other literature, if they have already predetermined their own
opinions. All reading is then useless.
Sanna:
So you mean that we should not interpret the Book based on our beliefs?
Socrates:
Of course not! Doing so is confusing interpretation with belief.
Sanna:
Oh.
Socrates:
Besides, if you do so, why do you need the Bible at all?
Sanna:
What do you mean?
Socrates:
If it agrees with you, it is unnecessary and if it doesn’t, it’s wrong. Why
read a book that must be unnecessary and wrong? In fact, why read anything or
listen to anybody? After all, everything is unnecessary and wrong... Do you
have any proof of God's forgiveness?
Sanna:
No, I do not.
Socrates:
So you only know through Jesus and from the Bible that God is forgiving.
Sanna:
Yes.
Socrates:
Do these two sources say anything about God’s punishment, justice and
judgement, or hell?
Sanna:
Yes, they do.
Socrates:
All of these three things are taught by the Bible?
Sanna:
Yes, they are.
Socrates:
Does Jesus also teach all of these three things?
Sanna:
Well yes, in his parables, but in my interpretation...
Socrates:
It is only fable?
Sanna:
Yes.
Socrates:
So, why don’t you think that Jesus’ teachings about the loving and forgiving
God are also fables?
Sanna:
I simply cannot believe that God is unforgiving...
Socrates:
The only reason why you do this is that the literal judgement by God
contradicts your belief system. (...) Your believing in God being forgiving
but not judgmental is a little like a bar of chocolate, right? It is a
wonderful idea, the idea that when we deal with God, we will only be faced
with one side of God’s fairness. The fact that God will reward you for being
good but will not punish you for being bad – isn’t that a wonderful and
attractive idea? Is it not true that it attracts you like a bar of chocolate?
(...)
Sanna:
Alright, let me teach you one thing. Socrates, there is one thing I know for
sure. God is love, not a judge. God is a silent, small voice, not an
earthquake.
Socrates:
I’m not going to go into how you know that now. However, I will ask you one
question: Why could God not be both?
Sanna:
How would that be possible?
Socrates:
Does love not make it own assessments? Does not love have eyes? Could love not
equally well be an earthquake than a silent, small voice? In fact, could love
not be the largest earthquake of them all?
Sanna:
I don’t know which God you believe in but I prefer the God of peace.
Socrates:
That may be the case, but the problem is that it is not about what you prefer
but what is the truth.
Sanna:
It is a question of which god I choose to believe.
Socrates:
Do you select your beliefs like you would select a bar of chocolate?
Sanna (confused):
Well, of course not... I don’t know anymore...
Socrates:
Hah, those are the magical words!
(4)
Conscience and
guilt. It
has been brought up above how some people can have an imaginary god and that
they do not believe in any judgment. They consider it a false view.
But as noted,
there are things that point to the possibility of a verdict. Among other
things, the secular judicial system can be considered as one such example. It
has much in common with the coming judgment that Jesus and the apostles spoke
of.
One thing that is
an indirect reference to the possibility of judgment is also a person's
conscience and the associated sense of guilt. We can carry guilt for the wrong
things we have done, and that is right. It shows that we haven't fully
hardened ourselves and that one day we will be judged for our actions. If a
person is not responsible to anyone, why does he feel guilty for his actions?
Our conscience bears witness to God and judgment.
Our conscience
also shows our inadequacy. Everyone has to admit that they have not always
done what they knew to be right. Everyone is imperfect. David Pawson continues
on this topic:
Everyone has a
conscience, according to which they will be judged: it is crucial, whether
one’s conscience blames them or not on that day. God will look at your life
and see, whether you acted in a way you knew to be right. Nothing else would
be fairer than this – and yet there is no one, who would want their book to be
opened with such principle.
I have talked with
self-righteous people, who have considered themselves as good. Those, who say
that “I’m just as good as he or she” or “I’m not any worse than people who go
to church”, still cannot answer the question; “have you always done what you
knew to be right”. I ask them if they can look me in the eye and say that they
have always followed the light for as long as they could see it. I still
haven’t found anyone, who would have said yes. Thus, meaning that there is no
one, who could based on their life’s book answer anything else than “guilty,
your honor”. (5)
ATTITUDES TOWARDS
MISSIONARY WORK
- (Luke 11:52) Woe to
you, lawyers! for you have taken away the key of knowledge: you entered
not in yourselves, and them that were entering in you hindered.
- (1 Thess 2:16)
Forbidding us to speak to the Gentiles that they might be saved,
to fill up their sins always: for the wrath is come on them to the uttermost.
When many people
believe in the equality of all religions and that there is no judgment and
hell, it is natural that they consider missionary work unimportant. Denying
the importance of missionary work is very common among those who believe in
the equality of religions and that there is no judgment. For when people think
they have the same God, all roads are equal and there is no judgment, they see
missionary work as pointless. Instead, such people may favor dialogue between
adherents of different religions. However, these people do not take into
account the following points, which are essential for missionary work:
God's love.
The first reason to spread the gospel is that people do not know God's love.
It does not occur in Islam and Hindus do not know it either. In them is not
talked about how almighty God has loved and approached people and wants them
close to him.
That is one good
reason for missionary work: to tell about God's love and how people can be
forgiven of their sins. This is what Christ's love for people obliges us to
do. Rabi Maharaj, a former Hindu guru tells how this was new to him.
I stood up from my
chair to ask her leave. There was no point in continuing this discussion. But
she uttered the words, very quietly, that made me sit down again. “The Bible
teaches that God is a God of love. I would like to share with you how I came
to know Him.”
I was stunned. Never
in all my years as a Hindu had I heard of a God of love! I listened to her
eagerly.
“Because He loves us,
he wants to draw us closer to Him.” This startled me, too. As a Hindu, I
wanted to get close to God, but she was telling me that a loving God was
trying to draw me nearer!
“The Bible also
teaches that sin prevents us from getting close to God,” Molli continued, “and
it also prevents us from knowing Him. This is why He sent Christ to die for
our sins. And if we receive His forgiveness, we can know Him... ”
“Wait a minute!” I
interrupted. Was she trying to convert me? I felt that I had to make
some rebuttal. “I believe in karma. Whatever you sow you reap, and no one can
change that. I don’t believe in forgiveness at all. It’s impossible! What’s
done is done!”
“But God can do
anything,” said Molli confidently. “He has a way to forgive us. Jesus said, ‘I
am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father but by me.’
Jesus is the way. Because he died for our sins, God can forgive us!” (6)
Lack of assurance
of salvation.
A common thought pattern in Western countries today is that religion is only
measured by moral criteria. The core of Christianity is defined as ethics, and
therefore what is essential is no longer Christ and his atoning work, but the
right values and striving for an ethically valuable life. The church's message
to today's world can be found precisely in high morality. That's why it
doesn't matter what a person believes, only how he lives. A person can believe
in Christ or not and it doesn't matter much.
For the same
reason, such a person considers differences between religions to be
non-existent. When he thinks that religion is measured only on moral grounds,
neither Christianity nor any other belief can be better than the other.
Therefore, religions basically teach the same thing, even though they may
appear different on the surface. A person can be a representative of any
religion and it doesn't matter, because only morality is thought to matter.
All paths are equal to God.
If we think about
such a person's conception of morality, he is absolutely right that morality
is characteristic in the teachings of different religions. It appears in
Hinduism's Law of Karma, Buddhism's Eightfold Path, Confucianism, and other
religions. It cannot be denied that they have the same features as Jesus'
Sermon on the Mount and the ethical teachings of the New Testament. When Jesus
urged to treat and love your neighbor as yourself, there is nothing new in the
matter in itself. It has been known throughout the ages, although it has often
not been followed. In addition, even secular laws contain features that
distinguish things morally.
But what is the
lack of good deeds and morals? Although they are valuable and good things,
they have one great weakness: they do not bring certainty of salvation to
anyone. Man never knows if he has done enough of them, if he is good enough,
and if God approves of his efforts. He does not find reassurance by observing
himself or doing his best. This is a fact of all major religions, including
Christianity, which does not take seriously the atoning work of Jesus Christ.
Paul Little shares his findings:
The Muslims do not
have an assurance of salvation either. I have often asked the Hindus, Muslims
and Buddhists whether they are going to nirvana or heaven after they die. None
of them has been able to give me a definitive answer. They have rather
referred to the incompleteness of their life, which is an impediment in
reaching this goal. (7)
The reason why we
can’t to find assurance of salvation from within ourselves is simple: we are
sinful and imperfect beings, as the following passages will show us.
It is impossible to
find assurance, when we are not one hundred percent perfect:
- (Rom 3:23) For all
have sinned, and come short of the glory of God
- (1 John 1:8) If we
say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.
What is the solution
if you don’t have assurance of salvation? It is the same old thing that
unbelieving people want to deny and despise: the atoning work of Jesus Christ
for us (1 Cor 1:18: For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish
foolishness; but to us which are saved it is the power of God.). Because when
an unbelieving person has denied the work of atonement and forgiveness, he has
only brought in its place a religion of law and ethical ideals - things that
do not offer people the certainty of salvation, or even hope. They in
themselves only lead to a dead end.
Here is one
reason why missionary work should be done. When people lack certainty of
salvation and certainty of God's acceptance, they should be told how God has
already prepared for us the forgiveness of sins and access to His connection.
It is not a question of man's building a road to God, as occurs in religions,
but of the fact that God in his love drew near to us, reconciled us through
Christ and gives the gift of eternal life. Salvation no longer depends on our
actions but on what another has done for us. God was the initiator and
salvation can be received as a gift:
- (John 3:16,17)
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that
whoever believes in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
17 For God sent not
his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him
might be saved.
- (Rom 5:6-8) For
when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.
7 For scarcely for a
righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even
dare to die.
8 But God
commends his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died
for us.
- (1 John 4:9,10) In
this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only
begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him.
10 Herein is
love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the
propitiation for our sins.
- (2 Cor 5:18-20) And
all things are of God, who has reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ,
and has given to us the ministry of reconciliation;
19 To wit, that
God was in Christ, reconciling the world to himself, not imputing
their trespasses to them; and has committed to us the word of reconciliation.
20 Now then we are
ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in
Christ's stead, be you reconciled to God.
- (Eph 2:8,9)
For by grace are you saved through faith; and that not of
yourselves: it is the gift of God:
9 Not of works,
lest any man should boast.
- (Rev 21:6) And he
said to me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end.
I will give to him that is thirsty of the fountain of the water of life
freely.
- (Rev 22:17) And the
Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that hears say, Come. And let him
that is thirsty come. And whoever will, let him take the water of life
freely.
Bound people.
One reason for the mission work is the bound people. For example, here in
Finland, some people criticized it when the preacher Pirkko Jalovaara talked
about being freed from demons (just as the Bible shows), but in many countries
it is a big problem. In these societies, people are bound because of centuries
of idolatry, witchcraft, and the occult. They need help and a key to how to
free themselves from the slavery of false powers. The key to that is Jesus,
who has already defeated all the powers of darkness on the cross. If people is
not told about this, they’ll stay in their bound state - even here in Western
countries. Mere social work, no matter how good it is, is not enough on its
own:
Doctor Charles Kraft,
my colleague from Fuller’s theological seminary, tells what happened to him in
Nigeria. He tried to teach, what the Letter to the Romans has to say, to a
small tribe. After a few months the same people came to him and explained very
politely that his teachings are good, but did not cater to their needs at all.
They needed wisdom for their nightly battles with bad spirits that were
tormenting them. Doctor Kraft had to admit that, unfortunately, he never
received training to act against bad spirits.
(8)
The uniqueness of
Jesus. At
the beginning it was stated how many do not believe in the uniqueness of
Jesus, and this is a big reason why they do not believe in the importance of
missionary work either. They do not see Jesus as the son of God who came from
heaven to atone for our sins, but only as a great spiritual teacher or a wise
man. Then it is natural that they do not see the need for missionary work.
However, the fact
that Jesus is only considered a great spiritual teacher or a wise person is
logically the worst option. No good teacher can make such claims about himself
(Son of God, Messiah, way, truth and life, came from the heaven from the
Father’s beside) as Jesus made, unless they are really true. If his claims are
false, he cannot be a good teacher. On the other hand, if his claims are true,
he must be divine. A mere wise person or a spiritual teacher cannot make the
following promises, but if Jesus' words about himself and eternal life are
true, they are to be taken seriously. They are also a good reason to tell all
nations how important it is to respond positively to Jesus:
- (John 8:23,24) And
he said to them, You are from beneath; I am from above: you are of this
world; I am not of this world.
24 I said
therefore to you, that you shall die in your sins: for if you believe not that
I am he, you shall die in your sins.
- (John 5:39,40)
Search the scriptures; for in them you think you have eternal life:
and they are they which testify of me.
40 And you will
not come to me, that you might have life.
- (John 14:1-6) Let
not your heart be troubled: you believe in God, believe also in me.
2 In my
Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I
go to prepare a place for you.
3 And if I go and
prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you to myself; that
where I am, there you may be also.
4 And where I go you
know, and the way you know.
5 Thomas said to him,
Lord, we know not where you go; and how can we know the way?
6 Jesus said to
him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man comes to the Father, but by
me.
References:
1. Peter Kreeft: Sokrates & Jeesus, p. 62,63
2. Aril Edvardsen: Rakkauden terapia (Kjaerlighetens Terapi), p. 68-70
3. David Pawson: Matka ilmestyskirjan maailmaan (Come With Me Through
Revelation),
p. 199,200
4. Peter Kreeft: Sokrates & Jeesus,
p. 34-36
5. David Pawson: Matka ilmestyskirjan maailmaan (Come With Me Through
Revelation),
p. 249,250
6.
Rabindranath R. Maharaj:
Gurun kuolema (Death of a Guru),
p. 113,114
7. Paul Little: Tiedä miksi uskot, p. 129
8. John Wimber, Kevin Springer: Ihmeet ja merkit (Power Evangelism),
p. 60
More on this topic:
Heaven or damnation? Which place are you going?
Who will get to heaven? Will everyone get to heaven, will good people get there, or on what basis
do they get to heaven?
Read
more to get to heaven
Are there many ways to God? Hinduism and the New Age movement, the notion that all roads lead to the
same God. Why is there no reason to believe this notion?
Creator, Judge, Savior. God is the Creator, Judge, and Savior. Creation can be inferred logically,
and our conscience refers to judgment. In addition, the revelation of the
Bible tells of the Savior
The judgment is coming. One hundred people out of a hundred die and a thousand out of a thousand,
so judgment and life after death must be taken into account
Proof that God exists. Evidence of the existence of God. Read how nature, the perception of right
and wrong, and numerous other factors refer to the existence of the
Creator, or God
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