WHAT IS TRUE RELIGION?
Sakkie Parsons
Remember this in everything you’re about to read:
Any so-called Christian faith that includes a priest, elder, apostle, teacher, or anyone else in a position who claims that he or she, because of that position in the church or congregation, has more access to the Lord than you do, is, in my opinion, unchristian.
One day someone asked me whether I also believe that all religions are actually the same. In other words, if I am religious and believe in God or a god, am I then not already saved?
I told her that I only have the Bible with which I can answer. So, I quoted the following verses to her and said: if these truths are part of a religion, then that religion is truly the truth.
JOHN 1:1–5 (NLT)
1 In the beginning the Word already existed. The Word was with God, and the Word was God.
2 He existed in the beginning with God.
3 God created everything through him, and nothing was created except through him.
4 The Word gave life to everything that was created, and his life brought light to everyone.
5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness can never extinguish it.
JOHN 3:16–18
16 “For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son (Jesus), so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.
17 God sent his Son into the world not to judge the world, but to save the world through him.
18 There is no judgment against anyone who believes in him. But anyone who does not believe in him has already been judged for not believing in God’s one and only Son.
JOHN 10:9 Jesus says,
9 “Yes, I am the gate. Those who come in through me will be saved…”
JOHN 14:6–11
6 Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me.
7 If you had really known me, you would know who my Father is. From now on, you do know him and have seen him!”
8 Philip said, “Lord, show us the Father, and we will be satisfied.”
9 Jesus replied, “Have I been with you all this time, Philip, and yet you still don’t know who I am? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father! So why are you asking me to show him to you?
10 Don’t you believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words I speak are not my own, but my Father who lives in me does his work through me.
11 Just believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me. Or at least believe because of the work you have seen me do.
ACTS 2:36–39
36 “So let everyone in Israel know for certain that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, to be both Lord and Messiah!”
37 Peter’s words pierced their hearts, and they said to him and to the other apostles, “Brothers, what should we do?”
38 Peter replied, “Each of you must repent of your sins and turn to God, and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. Then you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
39 This promise is to you, to your children, and to those far away—all who have been called by the Lord our God.”
1 CORINTHIANS 12:3
So I want you to know that no one speaking by the Spirit of God will curse Jesus (or use His name as a curse word), and no one can say Jesus is Lord (with sincere faith) except by the Holy Spirit.
1 JOHN 5:19–20
19 We know that we are children of God and that the world around us is under the control of the evil one.
20 And we know that the Son of God has come, and he has given us understanding so that we can know the true God. And now we live in fellowship with the true God because we live in fellowship with his Son, Jesus Christ. He is the only true God, and he is eternal life.
Also remember:
Ultimately, everyone, regardless of what religion they believe in, will appear before God:
ROMANS 14:11
For the Scriptures say, “‘As surely as I live,’ says the Lord, ‘every knee will bend to me, and every tongue will declare allegiance to God.’”
But who is being spoken of here?
Or rather, who is the One saying: “Romans 14:11 … ‘As surely as I live,’ says the Lord, ‘every knee will bend to me, and every tongue will declare allegiance to God.’”
God’s Holy Word leaves no doubt about who is speaking and about whom is being spoken:
PHILIPPIANS 2:6–11
6 Though he (that is Jesus) was God, he did not think of equality with God as something to cling to.
7 Instead, he gave up his divine privileges; he took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being.
8 When he appeared in human form, he humbled himself in obedience to God and died a criminal’s death on a cross.
9 Therefore, God elevated him (that is Jesus) to the place of highest honor and gave him the name above all other names,
10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
11 and every tongue declare that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
So, in summary:
All people, regardless of what religion they practiced on earth, will appear before God. But as I have now shown you:
Only if you accepted Jesus Christ here on earth as your Redeemer and Savior, and you leave this life with Him in your life, can you step beyond the grave and enter the gates of heaven.
Yes, because you arrive at the gates of heaven together with Jesus, the gates of heaven will open for you.
JOHN 1:12–13
12 But to all who believed him and accepted him (Jesus), he gave the right to become children of God.
13 They are reborn—not with a physical birth resulting from human passion or plan, but a birth that comes from God.
Sakkie
Email: bediening@sakkieparsons.co.za
Website: www.sakkieparsons.co.za
Cell: 083 457 6669
Jude 1:24-25 To him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy, to the only God our Saviour be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore! Amen.
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