ARE PEOPLE LOST WHO BELIEVE IN OTHER RELIGIONS?
No other God than JESUS CHRIST can save you from hell – HE is your only salvation to Eternal Life (Acts 4:10-12)
Sakkie Parsons
Someone wrote to me and wanted to know: “What about other religions that also believe in one almighty God – Are they now lost?”
The Bible – The Word of GOD – is very clear on this matter.
There are many religions that believe in an almighty God – but according to our almighty GOD, there is only one way to spend eternity with him and that is to accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and Saviour:
JOHN 14:6 Jesus said to him, “I am the [only] Way [to God] and the [real] Truth and the [real] Life; no one comes to the Father but through Me.
Then we also read:
1JOHN 5:12 He who has the Son [by accepting Him as Lord and Savior] has the life [that is eternal]; he who does not have the Son of God [by personal faith] does not have the life.
1JOHN 5:13 These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God [which represents all that Jesus Christ is and does], so that you will know [with settled and absolute knowledge] that you [already] have eternal life.
JOHN 5:24 “I assure you and most solemnly say to you, the person who hears My word [the one who heeds My message], and believes and trusts in Him who sent Me, has (possesses now) eternal life [that is, eternal life actually begins—the believer is transformed], and does not come into judgment and condemnation, but has passed [over] from death into life.
I mentioned that there are many religions that believe in an almighty Creator.
Ultimately all religions lead to GOD:
ROM 14:11 11For it is written [in Scripture],“AS I LIVE, SAYS THE LORD, EVERY KNEE SHALL BOW TO ME,
AND EVERY TONGUE SHALL GIVE PRAISE TO GOD.”ROM 14:12 12So then, each of us will give an account of himself to God.
Who is this GOD before whom everyone – every person who has ever lived, is still alive and will live before Jesus' coming – will appear and give an account?
2 COR 5:10 10For we [believers will be called to account and] must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may be repaid for what has been done in the body, whether good or bad [that is, each will be held responsible for his actions, purposes, goals, motives—the use or misuse of his time, opportunities and abilities].
Now a logical question is:
But what about us?
If every person who has ever lived and will ever live will appear before His judgment seat, then surely, we will also appear before His judgment seat and then we must also give an account?
That is quite right but we are going to appear there to be judged and not to be condemned.
Because you see:
ROM 8:1 1Therefore there is now no condemnation [no guilty verdict, no punishment] for those who are in Christ Jesus [who believe in Him as personal Lord and Savior].
All those who have truly accepted Jesus Christ as their Lord and Saviour, must be thoroughly aware of the following:
1 COR 3:10-15
10According to the [remarkable] grace of God which was given to me (This is Paul, but it also applies to you and me) [to prepare me for my task], like a skillful master builder I laid a foundation (preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ), and now another is building on it. But each one must be careful how he builds on it, 11for no one can lay a foundation other than the one which is [already] laid, which is Jesus Christ. 12But if anyone builds on the foundation with gold (which cannot be burned by fire), silver (which cannot be burned by fire), precious stones (which cannot be burned by fire), wood (which can be burned by fire), hay (which can be burned by fire), straw (which can be burned by fire), 13each one’s work will be clearly shown [for what it is]; for the day [of judgment] will disclose it, because it is to be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality and character and worth of each person’s work. 14If any person’s work which he has built [on this foundation, that is, any outcome of his effort] remains [and survives this test], he will receive a reward. 15But if any person’s work is burned up [by the test], he will suffer the loss [of his reward]; yet he himself will be saved, but only as [one who has barely escaped] through fire.
In this connection we also read – and I share with you one example from the precious Word of our Lord:
REV 22:12-13 12“Behold, I (Jesus) am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give to each one according to the merit of his deeds (earthly works, faithfulness).
13“I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End [the Eternal One].”
Therefore, I remember and, to the best of my ability, try to tell as many people as possible about Jesus Christ 's Gospel of Love – so that they too can accept HIM as their Lord and Saviour.
Yes, I also try to help people who have already accepted Jesus Christ as their Lord and Saviour, as far as I can, not to be deceived – because I also remember that Jesus had us written:
“Preach The Word”
1I solemnly charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by His appearing and His kingdom:
2preach the word [as an official messenger]; be ready when the time is right and even when it is not [keep your sense of urgency, whether the opportunity seems favorable or unfavorable, whether convenient or inconvenient, whether welcome or unwelcome]; correct [those who err in doctrine or behavior], warn [those who sin], exhort and encourage [those who are growing toward spiritual maturity], with inexhaustible patience and [faithful] teaching.
3For the time will come (and this, in my opinion, is the time in which we now live) when people will not tolerate sound doctrine and accurate instruction [that challenges them with God’s truth]; but wanting to have their ears tickled [with something pleasing], they will accumulate for themselves [many] teachers [one after another, chosen] to satisfy their own desires and to support the errors they hold,
4and will turn their ears away from the truth and will wander off into myths and man-made fictions [and will accept the unacceptable].
To summarize then:
Ultimately all roads, I mean religions, lead to God – but only one road leads to eternal life with our Lord.
Remember that no one can pull you out of our Lord's hand, but you yourself have a will of your own. Do not use your will, as for example Judas, Jesus' betrayer, used his own will and changed from disciple, by his own choice, to the son of perdition.
Yes, don't wander away from Jesus and then like the 5 foolish virgins with a full lamp, yes, despite all the knowledge you have about His saving gospel, arrive at a closed door.
MAT 25:11-13
11Later the others also came, and said, ‘Lord, Lord, open [the door] for us.’ 12But He replied, ‘I assure you and most solemnly say to you, I do not know you [we have no relationship].’ 13Therefore, be on the alert [be prepared and ready], for you do not know the day nor the hour [when the Son of Man will come].
When those 5 foolish virgins stood before that closed door they were exactly, so to speak, in the same state they were in before they fell asleep. Yes, even up to the top full of burning lamps – but they were too late.
Once they were exactly in the same place as the 5 virgins who entered – and now they are exactly that again, but how tragically, too late! Too late !
I want to encourage you again today with this wonderful advice from our Lord's precious Word:
HEB 12:1-3
Jesus, The Example
1Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses [who by faith have testified to the truth of God’s absolute faithfulness], stripping off every unnecessary weight and the sin which so easily and cleverly entangles us, let us run with endurance and active persistence the race that is set before us,
2[looking away from all that will distract us and] focusing our eyes on Jesus, who is the Author and Perfecter of faith [the first incentive for our belief and the One who brings our faith to maturity], who for the joy [of accomplishing the goal] set before Him endured the cross, disregarding the shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God [revealing His deity, His authority, and the completion of His work].
3Just consider and meditate on Him who endured from sinners such bitter hostility against Himself [consider it all in comparison with your trials], so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.
Greetings,
Sakkie