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Reformed.Faithweb.com
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Jesus Christ said: "How can ye believe, which receive honour one of another, and seek not the honour that cometh from God only?" |
True Religion
Most people think that true religion means that we should love one another. So long as we can get on with one another, then we are living good, upright lives. So when "peace" comes to a war-torn area of the world, or when a "peace" treaty is signed somewhere in the world, then people, particularly of a religious bent, automatically say "praise God!"
However, this is far from the truth. Before I explain myself, let me give you an example. On 23rd February 1998, Mr Cofi Anan, the United Nations Secretary General came back from Baghdad with a piece of paper in his hand which was signed by Saddam Hussein, and was meant to be a peaceful solution to what seemed then to be a difficult confrontation (of course it has long been forgotten by now!). His words as he reported back to the United Nations were these: "When we all join together, we are the ultimate power."
This is exactly why the belief that "peace on earth" is not what true religion is all about.
But did not Jesus come to give us "peace on earth, goodwill towards men?" as the Christmas carols and cards tell us? No, he did not. Rather than believing some empty-headed cards and cheap catch-phrases, listen to what the Bible says. Firstly, this mis-quote comes from the incident where the angels came down to meet the shepherds. The angels praise God and say:
"Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men".
Luke 2:14.
Firstly, no-where does it say "peace on earth", that is a deliberate mis-quote. It actually says "on earth peace, goodwill toward men." In other words, since the fall of Adam, man has been at enmity against God, but now, with the arrival of the Messiah, God is declaring to some men on earth peace (i.e. reconciliation between God and man) and goodwill. Note that it does not refer to every man in the world without exception, but rather only those chosen by God for salvation. Indeed, the New International Version of the Bible says "on earth peace to men on whom his favour rests," clearly indicating that not all men are included in this number.
The only place where Christ talks about "peace on earth" is in the following quotations:
"Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword."
Matthew 10:34.
"Suppose ye that I am come to give peace on earth? I tell you, Nay; but rather division:"
Luke 12:51.
Jesus Christ specifically and clearly states that he did not come to give peace on earth. If only people would take time to read what the Bible actually says, there would be no problem. The context to both of these verses is that Christ will come to divide the world up into those who believe and are of the elect, and those who are not. This is the twofold division there is in the world anyway, but Christ will come to make the distinction clearer, which means even splitting families.
So "peace on earth" and all of us "getting on" with one another is not of the essence of true religion at all. Why not? Because "getting on" with one another and living our lives solely to be able to be at peace with one another effectively means that we are worshipping each other rather than worshipping God. This may seem an extreme statement, but let me explain. The essence of true religion is to exalt God. That is true worship. I hope we are all agreed on this. God must be put in his rightful place as king of the universe, having created all things by the word of his power in the space of six days and all very good.
"For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things: to whom be glory for ever. Amen."
Romans 11:36.
"And all the angels stood round about the throne, and about the elders and the four beasts, and fell before the throne on their faces, and worshipped God, Saying, Amen: Blessing, and glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiving, and honour, and power, and might, be unto our God for ever and ever. Amen."
Revelation 7:11,12.
To God belongs all the glory because he is all powerful, almighty and the only one worthy of all our adoration. Can anyone deny that? Yet people do deny it in their thoughts, words and actions when they spend all their time trying to "get on" with one another. To them, true religion is not giving God all the glory, or indeed any of it, but rather their "feeling relaxed" with one another. Their religion is based purely on their feelings towards one another, God is not in the picture at all.
Now, can you not see why God is angry at man? God says that:
"...every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually"
Genesis 6:5.
"All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way;..."
Isaiah 53:6.
"The LORD looked down from heaven upon the children of men, to see if there were any that did understand, and seek God. They are all gone aside, they are all together become filthy: there is none that doeth good, no, not one."
Psalm 14:2,3.
Our very nature since Adam fell has been one of only caring about our own things, our own thoughts, our own feelings, our own satisfaction. God is not in the picture at all. Do any of us keep the summary of law as spoken of by Christ?:
"And he answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbour as thyself. "
Luke 10:27.
We don't even give God the time of day, let alone love him with all of our being. We can't even love our neighbour properly, whom we can see visibly with our eyes. No wonder God is angry at men for their preoccupation, by nature, with their feelings and themselves.
What is the answer then? What is true religion? True religion is to abase man and exalt God. God cannot be properly exalted unless man is abased to the dust where he belongs. God commands men to do this, and the Bible is full of it:
"Cease ye from man, whose breath is in his nostrils: for wherein is he to be accounted of?"
Isaiah 2:22.
"For all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass. The grass withereth, and the flower thereof falleth away: But the word of the Lord endureth for ever."
1 Peter 1:24.
"For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away."
James 4:14.
"And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever."
1 John 2:17.
"Thus saith the LORD; Cursed be the man that trusteth in man, and maketh flesh his arm, and whose heart departeth from the LORD. For he shall be like the heath in the desert, and shall not see when good cometh; but shall inhabit the parched places in the wilderness, in a salt land and not inhabited. Blessed is the man that trusteth in the LORD, and whose hope the LORD is. For he shall be as a tree planted by the waters, and that spreadeth out her roots by the river, and shall not see when heat cometh, but her leaf shall be green; and shall not be careful in the year of drought, neither shall cease from yielding fruit. The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it? I the LORD search the heart, I try the reins, even to give every man according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings."
Jeremiah 17:5-10.
Therefore, we must cast aside our preoccupation with ourselves and this vain empty world, which is passing away. Our hope is not here. All of us will have to leave it behind one day. Rather we must set our minds on things above, making God everything and man nothing. If we make man anything more than this, we are deluding ourselves and denying God his rightful place, just as Cofi Anan does when he blasphemes God by saying that "We are the ultimate power".
"If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory. Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry: For which things sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience:.."
Colossians 3:1-6.