Man-made religion is full of
understandable snares that look to entice the carnally minded individual. But
in order to safely navigate the traps along life’s journey we must put on the “mind
of Christ”. This is crucial for our existence here on earth as well as what God
has for us beyond the grave.
Why does religion play such a massive
part in the world today? We are inquisitive beings and we have been designed
with enquiring minds which leaves us permanently looking for answers. We are
driven towards knowledge in one form or another. Let me use a very simple
example to prove the point; I like boiled eggs prepared with the center soft
but not runny. In order for me to achieve the perfect results I needed to test
my gas stove with a specific pot and then the timing of the cook is crucial. I
needed to test varying criteria to eventually arrive at my desired result. I required
the theoretical knowledge I had learnt to then be worked out practically for me
to achieve my goal. Without the specifics put into place, it would always end
up as guess work to whether my eggs would be hard or soft. And when I get it
wrong I know it’s because I never used the knowledge that I had already worked
out over time. It was ignored! It is impossible to take the same eggs and to start
again. New eggs are needed!
We get one crack at this life so it is
crucial that we get it right. If we miss out there will be no second chance. Do
not believe the liars with their hocus-pocus fairy tails about reincarnation,
it is devilish and comes from the pit of hell. There will never be a second
chance for us to right our wrongs, the Bible is very clear on this point; “And
just as it is appointed
for man to die once, and after that comes judgment.” (Hebrews 9:27)
Our
soul drives us to find answers beyond the grave, no differently to our hunger
pangs driving us towards our next meal. It is part of our design. Even though
sin has blinded us from certain truths about the knowledge of God, somehow
there is a gnawing voice in the back of people’s minds about life after death. God
has graciously equipped mankind with an inquisitive mind that needs answers. I
understand that the Bible is clear on the point that unless we are “born again”
(born of the Spirit) we cannot see heaven with all its beauty and yet there is
an unseen driving force that keeps people wanting to stay alive. The curse of
aging is what we all look to avoid. The Makeup Industry is a multibillion
dollar industry that is thriving and will remain to live as long as it has
breath. How much of your salary goes towards makeup and antiaging cream that
may keep a wrinkle away? Strip it down and we will all eventually end up in the
same place; “By the sweat of your face you shall eat bread, till you return to
the ground, for out of it you were taken; for you are dust, and to dust you shall return."”
(Genesis
3:19) – We will all eventually take our last breath on this
planet, which is the cold hard truth to our existence. There are no ifs and
buts to that equation.
This
is our truth but we have not been left without an alternative. Jesus Christ the
Lord has already conquered the grave and in Him alone will we find salvation
for eternity. There is no other alternative that will end well. However there
are many voices that proclaim marginal solutions, they are nothing but lies.
The true Christian has fully understood this but for the sake of those that may
still be on the fringe of salvation let me break it down for you. Why is there
no other way that will end favourably? The Bible has made it clear that God
hates sin, rebellion to His existence is what drives our sinful natures and
because we are all under the same curse we need a substitute to re-establish a
rightful standing with the only true God, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.
Someone had to pay the price for our sin, hence the Lord Jesus dying in our
place. Will everyone escape God’s judgement? NO! Only those who turn to Him
through repentance will escape that judgement. How will this be achieved? It is
simpler than you think, confess your sins before God; acknowledge your
responsibility in them, seeking out God’s forgiveness for them through the Lord
Jesus Christ and it will end well for you. The Bible has made this very clear; “For
the Scripture says, "Everyone who believes in him will not be put to
shame." For there is
no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all,
bestowing his riches on all who call on him. For "everyone who
calls on the name of the Lord will be saved." (Romans 10:11-13) - However ignore the warning
at your own peril. There will be no second chances.”
How
important is it for us to get it right? Considering eternity and because of our
carnal natures it is sometimes hard to wrap our minds around the thought. This
might help; let’s say a bird needs to sharpen it’s beak and it uses the rock
face of Table Mountain to do that. How long would it take for the mountain to
eventually wear away and disappear? Well if that was possible over the process
of time, eternity would have only just started. Eternity cannot be measures as
it lives beyond the bounds of time and yet it never ends, wow! Therefore it is imperative
for us to make the right choice while we still have breath as it will affect our
eternal existences. I trust you get the point. There will be no second chances!
For
those who have found life and who can sing the song, “Jesus in my place” it is nevertheless
needful to understand that we must change our mind-sets. Each and every morning
we must endeavour to put on the “mind of Christ”. We are under a new set of
laws; we must no longer be governed by our old traits. Faith must drive us
towards the instructions found in the Word of God. Here is one of them that should
anchor our thought process from here on in; “For those who
live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but
those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit.
For to set the mind on the
flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace. For
the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to
God's law; indeed, it cannot. Those who are in the flesh cannot please God. You, however, are not in the flesh but in the
Spirit, if in fact the Spirit of God dwells in you. Anyone who does not have
the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him.” (Romans 8:5-9)
In conclusion we need the Spirit of Christ to
help arm us with the mind of Christ and if His Spirit is absent, we simple do
not belong to Him.
We must all face our own realities and ask
ourselves the question does the Spirit of God dwell in us? Man-made religion gives
those enslaved to it a vaccination, which in turn quenches their enquiring
minds, feeding them with lies and keeps them from the truth. I too was once
enslaved to a church that was dead.
I ask again, does the Spirit of God dwell in you?
If not you do not belong to the only true God and you will not escape the
judgement of God. The Bible is very clear on this. However if you are alive you
can turn to God through repentance and seek out His forgiveness for your sins.
Today is the day of salvation, call upon the name of the Lord and you shall be
heard, but call you must!
Signing off
Tyrone
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