There are many religions in the world, most of which embody some very good teaching that would build quality in human life. We have people who come to our door pretty regularly that are really involved --- in trying to sell their religion to me. I always tell them that I will be glad to talk with them about Jesus Christ, but I am not willing to talk about their religion. In my estimation, if this is not a welcomed invitation, then they are simply trying to sell me their religion. I do not denounce them or condemn them, but I believe that all things should be secondary to Jesus Christ. The Bible tells me that Jesus is the King of Kings and Lord of Lords -- why should I need to discuss and follow any other way when Jesus has said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life -- no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.”
There are many substitutes for the real thing in the world in which we live. Even in religion this is true. I believe that every one of us need to know Jesus Christ in such a personal way, that we have no need to look to any other source.
He said in John 15:14, “You are my friends, if you do whatever I command you.” We know that he is our friend - he died for us while we were yet sinners, he shed his innocent blood for the remission of our sins, he gave his all that we might have life in his name. He indeed is our friend -- but he said that we could be his friend, if we did what he wanted us to do. What does this mean?
I believe that his messenger, the Holy Spirit, can come to our hearts with impressions that we can follow. We do need to test the spirit to make sure that it is God. One test is that the spirit of God will not lead us in opposition to what is taught in the Bible. The spirit of God would also confess that Jesus was raised from the dead in the flesh. The spirit of God provides a deep peace even when turmoil is all about us. We need to learn to listen to God so that we can do whatever he commands us to do. In doing that, we are his friends.
There are so many voices in this world trying to get our attention. Among those voices is the still small voice of God that would speak to your inner person, telling you what to do. The more we act in obedience to the voice of God that speaks in our hearts, the easier it is to hear. The more we listen to outside voices that would call us into many different directions, the more difficult it is to hear God's voice.
God loves you. He made you as a special creature. No one else can fulfill what God has desired of you because you are a unique individual. Your life counts on the stage of life, but you determine how it counts. Try to listen, spend some time in quiet, immersing yourself in an understanding of God's great loves for you. Read and meditate on the 23rd Psalm, the 8th Chapter of Romans, the Sermon on the Mount in Chapters 5, 6 and 7 of the Gospel of Matthew. God really cares about you and he will speak to your heart if he knows you want to listen.
Time is too short for all of us to follow all the voices that come to us, that desire our attention, that want our loyalty. We must make some wise choices about which voice to follow, which direction to go. I believe with all my heart in the way of Jesus Christ. I believe that in following him, you can never go wrong. You can make mistakes, even commit sins, but he forgives as you confess your sins to him. He will never leave you, nor forsake you. You may depart from him on occasion, but you can come back. He loves you more than anyone else on earth loves you. He wants to walk with you in life, if you will walk with him.
What are the alternatives? You alone know the direction of the present course of your life. Some courses are destructive, some foolish, some perilous. The way of Christ leads home to God. Learn to follow Jesus before time runs out on you. God bless you.
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