Answers
Do All Religions Lead to God?
By Daryl Jones
Guest Writer
CBN.com
– How is this for an answer from a believer: yes and no.
Now I’ll qualify the statement. All religions do lead to God much like all flying airplanes do land, eventually. Some do it when they crash.
We will all come face to face with God, regardless of the “religion” we practiced here on earth. “It is appointed unto man to die, and after that, the judgment” (Hebrews 9:27). We’ll all face God and will give account for this life, but many will find they are not prepared to answer or give account in a manner that God is willing to accept.
Being “with God” -- having been lead there -- is much like a marriage. There is a reason why a great deal of the imagery of the Christian Church is pictured as “the bride of Christ”. In being a follower of Christ, we become “the bride” that He will present to His Father God and ask that we be accepted “into the family”. Not the Sopranos, but God’s.
Unfortunately, many people have a religion that leaves out Christ and His central role as the only one who can present us to God. “For there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave Himself as a ransom for all men” (1 Timothy 2:5). As God’s only Son, God’s perfect sacrifice, His is the only sacrifice God finds acceptable. Coming to God and saying, “I was a good Buddhist, Shintoist, Atheist, Scientologist," or whatever-ist apart from Christ is like a person saying they are going to marry someone who hasn’t said “yes”. God only says “yes” to those whom Christ presents as being “married” to Him in relationship. It is only in an ongoing, living, vibrant “marriage” to Christ do we find our heavenly Father’s acceptance.
Relationship trumps religion every time. I tell people that to get to heaven, there is a test. Fortunately, it’s an open book test and we have the question God will ask. “What did you do with my Son Jesus?” To that, my prayer is that you might get Him [Jesus] who is the answer, or as the Jesus instructs us…”I am the way, the truth and the life. No man comes to the Father except through me.” (John 14:6)
Do You Want a Relationship with God?
If you want this kind of relationship with God, pray this prayer right now:
Lord Jesus Christ, I believe that you took the pain of the cross to give me new life. I ask you to come into my life and to give me your peace and joy. I confess that I am a sinner -- that I have gone my own way and have done wrong. Please forgive me for my sins. I receive you now as my Lord and Savior. Please fill me with your Holy Spirit. Help me to follow you and to serve you all my life. Thank you, Lord Jesus. Amen.
If you prayed that prayer, you are now a child of God. The things of your old life have passed away and He has made all things new.
We want to join you in celebrating your new life. Please send us an e-mail to let us know that you prayed to receive Jesus as your Savior. Or you can call our Prayer Counseling Center at (800) 759-0700. A caring friend is available to talk with you and send you some resources to help you begin your walk with the Lord.
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