Studying God's Word

I’m absolutely stunned that 57% of evangelical Christians believe that there are multiple paths to heaven. Now, they either don’t believe the Bible or they haven’t read it. I tend to think it’s the latter since we know that only 10% of church-going Christians have read the entire Bible and fewer still have actually studied God’s Word. Most of the people you fellowship with in church believe that false narrative which is from Satan. No wonder we have so few witnesses for Christ. If you don’t believe in the exclusivity of Jesus as the only true path to eternal life you can’t be an effective witness for Christ and you also won’t be motivated to witness. We must start by educating our Christian brothers. Whenever you hear that garbage come out of their mouth don’t let them get away with it. Push back immediately, but with gentleness.

Ask them why they believe that. Ask them if they’ve read the four gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. Tell them you’d love to sit down with them and search the gospels to see what Jesus has to say on the matter. Ask them why would a loving God send His only beloved Son to die a horrible death on the cross if there was any other way to bring salvation to mankind. Our common sense should tell us there was no other way to save us. Anyone who says there’s more than one way to heaven is showing their ignorance and revealing themselves as a fool. God says His Word is useful for correction so it’s our duty to be the instrument to educate our mistaken brothers with gentleness so as not to offend.

First, Jesus taught that after death there are only two possible eternal destinations. When people die their spirit will immediately go to either eternal life in heaven or to eternal punishment in hell. Jesus further emphasized this point with the story of the deaths of the rich man and the poor beggar, Lazarus, in Luke 20-31. The rich man went to Hades within the earth where he was in continuous torment whereas Lazarus went to Abraham’s bosom (Paradise within the earth). In a telling conversation with Abraham the rich man learned there was no way to leave hell or tell anyone what it was like. Second, Jesus taught that the vast majority of the human race will end up in hell. If there were many paths to heaven then Jesus would have said so in the Bible. Instead Jesus clearly states that only He is the the way, the truth and the life. We don’t have to guess about this message because it’s very clear and comes directly from the lips of Jesus Christ Himself, who is God in the flesh.

Matthew 7:13-14 – (Jesus speaking) – Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.

Satan is the god of this world and he is making progress convincing most of the world that belief in Jesus isn’t the exclusive path to heaven; that there are multiple paths to heaven. You know you’ve lost that battle when 57% of evangelical Christians agree with Satan. What are we Christians who know the truth to do when even our fellow Christians fall for this lie? Decide what is essential for our salvation and remain united and steadfast in its defense. Let’s review our essential core beliefs so far:

1. Acceptance of Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and Savior is the only path to heaven.
2. The Holy Bible is God’s Word and absolute truth. We are to obey God’s commands.
3. Same sex marriage is an abomination to God. It’s a fact of life but we don’t have to agree with it or accept it on a personal basis.

Let’s face it, good people have differences of opinion because we all have different life experiences. Always respect the opinions of others on nonessential questions that have no bearing on your eternal destiny. Agree to disagree without animosity. We should adopt the maxim of seventeenth century theologian Rupert Meldenius who said, “In essentials, unity; in nonessentials, liberty; and in all things, charity.” When the topic of religion comes up everyone except atheists will fall into one of four categories. You need to be aware which group they fall into.

Universalism – Everyone who has ever lived goes to heaven no matter what they believe or what they have done in their life. That means Genghis Khan, Adolph Hitler and Joseph Stalin are in heaven after killing millions of innocent people. That means Jesus died on the cross for no reason.

Pluralism – All religious people go to heaven regardless of which religion it is. This group doesn’t clarify who gets to decide what a religion is and what is not.

Inclusivism – They believe Jesus is the only means to salvation but they accept the gods of other religions to be only Jesus by another name. The key element is everyone is not required to personally accept Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. Satan and his demons also believe Jesus is the way to salvation but they cannot accept Him as Lord and Savior.

Exclusivism – This is we Christians who exercise personal faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior as the only true path to heaven and eternal life in the presence of Jehovah God. We believe most people will be condemned to hell including all the sincere followers of other religions. Personal faith (trust) in Jesus is all that’s required for our salvation. Every other world religion, except Hinduism, is also exclusive. They all declare that they’re also the one and only true path to heaven. Everyone cannot be right. There can be only one true path to God and that is through Jesus Christ and the Christianity faith. Only Christianity has a body of irrefutable proof where all others religions do not.

The United States was founded on Judeo-Christian principles and God blessed this country because we were a Christian nation. Christianity is slowly being eroded in this country and the signs are evident in every facet of American life. The secular world is becoming more and more progressive (liberal) and godless. Our education system has now successfully removed God from the classroom and the media has further indoctrinated the masses to the point where Christianity has been marginalized by declaring there are multiple paths to God and all religions are relevant. Our culture now demands we be more inclusive of the beliefs of others and states there is no such thing as absolute truth. Political correctness is pushed to damp down any dissent from the masses.

God made us spiritual beings with a need to seek our Creator. Satan is aware of our need and seeks to lead people away from the truth of God by sponsoring many alternative fake religions. If Satan can convince you there are many paths to God then fewer will find the true path to salvation. If Satan can convince you absolute truth is a moving target that means whatever you want it to mean then you’re less likely to find the absolute truth of God’s Word. If Satan can shame you or brainwash you into believing you should be inclusive of the beliefs of others you will be less likely to believe that Jesus is the only path to eternal life. If Satan can harass and intimidate you into becoming politically correct he will have silenced you and the truth of God’s Word.

Matthew 7:14-14 – (Jesus speaking) – Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.

Let’s be clear. If Jesus isn’t the only way to heaven Christianity is a fraud. All the world’s religions, except Hinduism, also claim their faith is the only path to heaven. We can’t be inclusive and claim there are multiple paths to heaven when virtually every religion makes their own exclusive claim to be the one true path to God and heaven. We can’t include every religion as a path to heaven without excluding our own. If every path is true then none are. Common sense will tell you either all paths to God are false or there is only one true path. The trick is to study the evidence and determine which faith is true. Only Christianity has a body of irrefutable evidence that Jehovah is God.

Christianity has already lost the battle for the soul of America. We knew it was going to happen because the Bible said that would be the case in the end times which we are currently in. 70% of Americans who attend church believe many religions lead to eternal life and even among evangelical Christians 57% believe all religions lead to heaven. Many church leaders have thrown in the towel by disavowing the exclusivity of the gospel message of Christ as the only path to heaven and it breaks my heart. Christianity has caved from the outside pressure of the secular world and also from within our own ranks. Christianity has been routed but not annihilated. Take heart in the fact that while we’ve lost the battle we’ll eventually win the war because God’s Word assures us the ultimate victory is ours if we stand fast in the face of sure defeat and never surrender the field of battle.

2 Corinthians 11:15 – Therefore it is no great thing if his (Satan’s) ministers also transform themselves into ministers of righteousness, whose end will be according to their works.

Americans of all stripes have accepted same sex marriage as okay and the Supreme Court has made it the law of the land. God calls homosexuality an abomination. The country as a whole no longer believes Jesus is the only way to heaven but God’s Word says otherwise. While we must obey the laws of our country, our core beliefs must align with God’s Word. We shouldn’t seek confrontation but neither should we back away from our beliefs. If you want to win the spiritual battle with Satan you must be aware of the spiritual warfare going on all around us for the souls of men otherwise you’re a, “dead man walking,” and already defeated. You must understand and accept the exclusivity of Christ as our core belief and to lose it is to lose our soul. It’s ground zero in our war with satanic forces. If we lose this war billions will go to hell. We must fight on. As foot soldiers for Jesus we need to reach out to the unsaved with compelling reasoning (logic) based on our study of the Bible plus we need to have unwavering resolve in the face of stiff resistance from the secular world.

2 Corinthians 5:20 – Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ’s behalf, be reconciled to God.

We live in an increasingly inclusive world where absolute truth is becoming relative. Don’t be fooled. God’s Word is truth and wisdom and it’s eternal. There is only one road to heaven. Christianity is exclusive. The gospel of Christ is exclusive. Stand firmly on this truth. In Matthew 16:15, Jesus asked His disciples, “Who do you say that I am?” to which Peter responded, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” In the gospels Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth and the life.” Jesus also said, “No one comes to the Father except through Me.” These three statements are exclusive. They are either all true or they are all false. You need to study God’s Word for yourself and decide which it is. Eternity is too long to be wrong! There’s great danger in waiting for the answer to fall into your lap.

If you believe the statements made by Jesus are false then you have your reward here on this earth. However, if you believe Jesus is telling the truth you need to accept Him as your Lord and Savior and you will be saved unto eternal life. I’m hoping anyone reading this blog has already accepted God’s grace but if you haven’t, accept salvation immediately! The fires of hell are too painful to be wrong! The joys of heaven are too great to be wrong! The love of God is too great to be wrong!

As Bible-believing Christians, we must be prepared and willing to share the exclusive gospel of Christ in an inclusive world. The secular world is controlled by Satan so push-back and confrontation is inevitable. However, there is no way to sugar-coat it because the truth is the truth and all who are lost need to hear the message even if they don’t know it. We need to throw out the lifeline of salvation because if we don’t, who will. Our burden is great but so is our reward for obeying the Great Commission Jesus has given to all His disciples which is to preach the gospel of Christ to all who are unsaved.

1 Corinthians 3:9 – For we are God’s fellow workers; you are God’s field, you are God’s building.

This is why I’m so passionate about studying God’s Word and urging others to do the same. I live in fear. I’m scared to death when I witness to the unsaved that I won’t be good enough to convince them to accept Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. You cannot “do” until you “know” which is why I’m constantly searching the mysteries of God. I understand that most people don’t come to Christ the first time they hear the gospel message. For most people it takes multiple exposures to the gospel message before becoming saved. Witnessing is a step by step process of sowing the gospel seed to all who will listen until eventually a believer harvests that soul for the kingdom of heaven. But what if my witness is the last one they hear before they face eternity and it’s not good enough? All I can do is press on and pray that God will give me the strength and the right words to reach them.

Matthew 9:37-38 & Luke 10:2 – (Jesus speaking) – The harvest is truly plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest.

Many Catholics claim to be Christians because the church tells them they are. Most haven’t confessed their sins directly to God or personally accepted Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. Instead, they’ve been baptized in the Catholic church and accepted the church’s word they’re saved. God’s Word says you aren’t saved without faith in Christ as your Lord and Savior and the church can’t do that for you. You must confess your sins to God with your own mouth and ask Jesus directly to come dwell inside you as your personal Lord and Savior. Baptism, praying to Mary and confessing your sins to a Priest gain you nothing. Only God can forgive your sins. Your own common sense should tell you that. You should believe God’s Word over the traditions of men.

2 Corinthians 6:14 – Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness?

Ephesians 5:11 – And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them.

Galatians 5:1 – Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage.

We say the Bible is alive because it contains God’s wisdom which is applicable to all people, all situations and at any point in history. God’s Word has specific messages for certain groups of people at certain points in time. For example, Revelation is specifically for those living in the end times and Revelation 2:10, is a message of hope specifically for those who become Christians during the tribulation and face the prospect of martyrdom. There are several messages in the Bible specifically warning Catholics about false teachings and false prophets. God pleads with Catholics to come out of the Roman Catholic faith because it has been corrupted by Satan.

Revelation 18:4 – And I heard another voice from heaven saying, “Come out of her, my people, lest you share in her sins, and lest you receive her plagues.”

2 Corinthians 6:17 – Come out from among them and be separate, says the Lord. Do not touch what is unclean, and I will receive you.

Matthew 7:22-23 – (Jesus speaking) – Many will say to Me in that day, “Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?” And I will then declare to them, “I never knew you, depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!”

Scripture says those who are first shall be last and the the last first. God was specifically talking about church leaders like the Catholic clergy. Most Catholic clergy, including the Popes, will wind up in hell. Those few who do make it to heaven will be on the bottom rung of heaven for leading people away from the truth of God’s Word.

The Catholic church requires all priests and nuns to serve the church as celibates and not marry. This is a man-made doctrine of the church and is a doctrine of demons. In Hebrews 13:4, God says marriage is honorable among all. The church also doesn’t want to pay the added expenses for priests and nuns that having families would entail.

Proverbs 5:18 – Let your fountain be blessed, and rejoice with the wife of your youth.

1 Timothy 4:1-3 – Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons, speaking lies in hypocrisy, having their own conscience seared with a hot iron, forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from foods which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth.

I always wondered why I never ran across a Catholic who was passionate about God or a Catholic who witnessed for Christ. Now that I’ve studied Catholicism I know the answer. Catholics pay lip service to Jesus Christ and wrap themselves in the cloak of Christianity but their doctrines glorify only the church and serve to minimize Jesus in the eyes of Catholics. Why would Catholics witness for Christ when he has been reduced to a cookie during Mass. The Catholic church wants members looking to them only for their salvation and not the true source of eternal life.

Matthew 7:13-14 – (Jesus speaking) – Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it.

There are saved Christians in the Catholic church but it’s not because of the church, it’s in spite of the Catholic church. There are 1.5 billion Catholics worldwide and the majority consider themselves saved Christians who are going to heaven because they’ve done everything the church has asked them to do. I’m here to tell you most of them will not see eternity in heaven because the Catholic church has led them away from the truth of God. When they face Jesus on the last day they’ll be in for a shock. Catholics must break free of their spiritual bondage before it’s too late.

Matthew 7:22-23 – (Jesus speaking) – Many will say to Me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in your name, and done many wonders in your name? And then I will declare to them, “I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!”

Most Catholics haven’t read their Bible or the catechism, the official doctrine of the Roman Catholic church. If they did they would realize two things. First, every single sacrament, doctrine and teaching of the church is just the opposite of what it says to do in God’s Word. Second, the catechism says Catholics have become not only Christians, they have become Christ himself. The catechism is claiming Catholics are gods. Let that sink in a minute if you’re a Catholic. Do you really think you’re a god?

Isaiah 46:9 – Remember the former things of old, for I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like Me.

1 Corinthians 8:6 – Yet for us there is one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we for Him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, through whom are all things, and through whom we live.

For Protestants there may be one or two differences of doctrine between denominations but we all still believe in the gospel and God’s Word is the truth. Most Protestants view Catholicism as just another Christian denomination when nothing could be further from the truth. Every single doctrine of the Catholic church is just the opposite of what God’s Word says to do. That can’t be an accident, the odds are too great. It has to be on purpose and the only supernatural force opposing God at every turn is Satan. The devil’s footprint is all over the Catholic church. There is no other logical explanation for the Catholic church to be 100% wrong on every tenet of the Christian faith.

Matthew 24:5 – (Jesus speaking) – For many will come in My name, saying, “I am the Christ,” and will deceive many.

Matthew 24:23-24 – (Jesus speaking) – Then if anyone says to you, “Look, here is the Christ!” or “There!” do not believe it. For false christs and false prophets will rise and show great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect.

Luke 21:8 – (Jesus speaking) – Take heed that you not be deceived. for many will come in My name, saying “I am He,” and, “The time has drawn near.” Therefore do not go after them.

Catholic doctrines consistently steal honor and glory from Jesus Christ and give it to Mary, Popes, saints, statues and wafers. The Creator of the universe has been dethroned and declared no better than any Catholic on the street. God is not mocked and those who sin against God by promoting these false doctrines will be judged on the last day. What’s clear is that Satan has lied to the Catholic church and deceived them so that their doctrines reflect the goals and desires of the evil one. Satan has owned the Catholic church for over 1500 years.

The Catholic church catechism teaches that prayer cannot be reduced to spontaneous outpourings of the individual yet the Bible contains thousands of examples of just that. Catholic prayers are an endless repetition of written words. We’ve all flipped over to the Catholic channel on cable and heard the relentless monotone repeated over and over. Repeating chants is a heathen practice from pagan worship and Jesus forbid its use. God encourages prayers with spontaneous outpourings of emotion.

Matthew 6:7 – (Jesus speaking) – And when you pray, do not use vain repetitions as the heathen do. For they think that they will be heard for their many words.

Psalm 3:4 – I cried to the Lord with my voice. and He heard me from His holy hill.

Psalm 30:2 – O Lord my God, I cried out to You, and You healed me.

Psalm 62:8 – Trust in Him at all times, you people; pour out your heart before Him; God is a refuge for us. Selah

Psalm 120:1 – In my distress I cried to the Lord, and He heard me.

The Catholic church has the audacity to tell people they don’t know how to pray and therefore the church will teach them. This is contrary to Scripture which even gives us an example how to pray in the Lord’s Prayer (Matthew 6:9-13). Long before there was a Catholic church people prayed to God and received answers to their prayers. It’s obvious the Catholic church doesn’t want its members to have a private conversation with God as our Creator intended. The church is obviously trying to control the narrative so as to keep its members in spiritual bondage to the church. Will you believe God or man?

Philippians 4:6 – Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God.

Numbers 11:2 – Then the people cried out to Moses, and when Moses prayed to the Lord, the fire was quenched.

Psalm 22:5 – They cried to You and were delivered; they trusted in You, and were not ashamed.

Catholics are taught the Pope is infallible and only he and the church leadership can properly interpret God’s Word. The catechism gives the Pope’s interpretations precedence over God’s Word even when Scripture is abundantly clear. As God’s appointed Vicar of Christ the church contends the Pope knows the mind of God. That would make the Pope a prophet although he doesn’t claim the title. Since all Popes lead the Catholic church in teaching obviously false doctrines to its members that would make every Pope a false prophet. During the end time tribulation described in the book of Revelation a false prophet will rise up to help the antichrist. Is it possible the Catholic Pope could be the false prophet of Revelation? It’s something we need to consider.

2 Timothy 2:15 – Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

1 John 2:26-27 – These things I have written to you concerning those who try to deceive you. But the anointing which you have received from Him abides in you, and you do not need that anyone teach you ; but as the same anointing teaches you concerning all things, and is true, and is not a lie, and just as it has taught you, you will abide in Him.

The Catholic church is determined to interpret the Scriptures for its members because they’re afraid the faithful might actually think for themselves and discover that Catholic doctrines are contrary to God’s Word. The Bible makes it very clear that believers are to study God’s Word themselves and it’s the Holy Spirit that will teach us the things of God. We don’t need anyone controlling us and telling us what to think, what to believe. Do you really believe that one billion non-Catholic Christians (Protestants) are groping in spiritual darkness needing the Catholic church to interpret the Bible for them? Will you believe God or man?

John 16:13-14 – (Jesus speaking) – However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on his own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come. He will glorify Me, for He will take of Mine and declare it to you.

1 Corinthians 2:12-13 – Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might know the things that have been freely given to us by God. These things we also speak, not in words which man’s wisdom teaches but which the Holy Spirit teaches, comparing spiritual things with spiritual.

Psalm 119:97-99 – Oh, how I love Your law! It is my meditation all the day. You, through Your commandments, make me wiser than my enemies; for they are ever with me. I have more understanding than all my teachers, for your testimonies are my meditation.

The catechism requires all Catholics to “venerate” statues or images of Christ, angels, Mary and saints of the church. This is just the opposite of God’s instructions. The second of the ten commandments God gave Moses on Mount Sanai addresses this issue clearly:

Exodus 20:4 – You shall not make for yourself a carved image – any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is the water under the earth.

Deuteronomy 16:22 – You shall not set up a sacred pillar, which the Lord your God hates.

Ephesians 5:5-6 – For this you know, that no fornicator, unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. Let no ne deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience.

Scripture says God is an invisible Spirit and you must worship Him in spirit. When man worships before an image it’s our nature to eventually wind up venerating the image and not the deity behind the image. Behind every idol is a demon and worshipping said idol is a stench in God’s nostrils. This doctrine of worshipping statues came from the holy fathers and tradition of the church. The Catholic faithful are expected to believe that these holy fathers of the church were divinely inspired to violate God’s Word, which would make God a liar and His Word not the truth. God forbid!

Leviticus 19:4 – Do not turn to idols, nor make for yourselves molded gods: I am the Lord your God.

Leviticus 26:1 – You shall not make idols for yourselves; neither a carved image nor a sacred pillar shall you rear up for yourselves; nor shall you set up an engraved stone in your land, to bow down to it; for I am the Lord your God.

Mark 6:7 – (Jesus speaking) – This people honors Me with their lips, but their heart is far from Me. And in vain they worship Me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.

I cringe whenever I see a carved image of Christ on the cross in a Catholic church. It’s blasphemy! Don’t give a demon entry into your life by having a statue of Christ or Mary in your yard and don’t put up a picture of them on the walls of your house. Will you believe the Word of God or the traditions of men? Eternity waits for your decision.