Most people in this world know something about Jesus, if not many things He taught in the Bible. Others know the Bible somewhat but their beliefs are skewed because of the church they attend. Other books that people read can also have someone believe in a certain way that is not Biblical in nature. And as a Christian, we know that only what the Bible teaches is on solid ground, where anything else is rocky and leads to destruction. Only through God’s Word and much prayer will we know Jesus and what He taught as true. Anything else will lead us unto dark paths, of which God is not a part of. Therefore, as Christians, we are to seek the lost and bring them unto Christ. Of which the lost are those that do not know Christ, unbelievers, or believers that have their beliefs skewed. Each one of these people are important to God and He uses His messengers to bring the elect unto Him. Now, for the sake of this message, we will focus on believers that have their beliefs partially right and wrong in many ways. These are those people that are brought up in religions that appear good on the surface, but on the inside is filthy. Now the person can be close to knowing Jesus, it is only their religion that is stopping them. This is because among such people are very humble and wonderful people in general.
Please know that it is not the person that God hates but every wrong way. This includes ever false teaching, belief, doctrine and sin in this world. A few such religions with false beliefs that stand out to me are Mormons, Jehovah Witnesses, and Catholics. Among such people can be found people that truly are seeking God and are only lost because of the faith that they follow. For Mormons, their belief in the Book of Mormon, multiple gods, eternal marriage, the priesthood, and other things are false doctrines and lead people astray. For Jehovah Witnesses, their belief that Jesus is not God, Jesus is Michael the archangel, no trinity, only 144 thousand people go to heaven and other things are false doctrines and lead people astray. For Catholics, their belief in Mary and that salvation is through her, praying to Mary and the Saints, repetitive prayers, indulgences and other things are false doctrines and lead people astray. I mention these three religions not to bring any one person down but to help them understand that the teachings mentioned above are not Biblical. And if a church is teachings things contrary to God then people need to be aware of this, for salvation sake. Now, because God is so good, His elect are among such people. Therefore, it is only a matter of finding such people, that is needed.
It is when we go out and witness for Christ is when doors start to open. This is when we are able to find people that believe in Jesus but have their theology and beliefs wrong. However, it up to us to be used by God, for these opportunities to open up. If we are willing to follow Jesus, wherever He calls us, then we will be welcome into homes such as this. And because God is leading us, He will open their hearts to hear the message at hand, while helping them believe the teachings of the Bible. Then will they understand God’s truths and everything will start to click. As long as their heart is willing to listen, then the Holy Spirit will open their eyes to see things like never before. An example of this is when Aquila and Priscilla saw a man named Apollos, who had faith in God but was confused about a few important things. He may not have realized this but when Aquila and Priscilla came up to him, having overheard what he was teaching the Jews, they 1“expounded unto him the way of God more perfectly.” And because he was humble and teachable by God, he accepted them into his life and learned what he was missing. 2He then joined those in the faith, was baptized and was then filled with the Holy Spirit. There were eleven other men that came unto faith as well.
Our faith is not perfected until it is grounded upon the Bible. We should therefore test what the Pastor, Bishop or Priest says with the Bible. The same can be said with the church beliefs. And if any of the doctrines are found to be man-made and not from God’s Word, then we should discount it right away. While at the same time, we ought to leave the church that teaches anything that is false. Please do not let people of that church deter you into believing that new revelations from God outweigh what the Bible teaches. They are only deceiving you and what’s sad is, they most likely don’t even realize it. Think about it this way. If Jesus and the His disciples taught a certain way, in God’s church, would God ever go against those teachings? The answer is No. Therefore, when Jesus said that only salvation comes through Him, we should listen. And when He said that we are to pray to God alone, we should listen. And when He said that there is no marriage in heaven, we should listen. And when it is taught that Jesus is God, we ought to listen up. These are just a few important teachings in God’s Word. Therefore, read the Bible daily and if your church is not in line with the Word, then leave it behind for Christ. This is when true disciples of Christ will expound unto you the gospel more perfectly.
Let us pray:
Oh Lord, I pray for every person that is following a false gospel. I know that these people do not know what they are doing is wrong and are severely lost. Therefore, they just need to open their eyes, ears and heart to You and then they will know the truth. May these people decide today to read the Bible daily and make their beliefs based on Your words and not what they learn from others alone. Instead, help these people compare and contrast the teachings in their church with what the Word of God says. This way there will no longer be confusion when it comes to what You say and only clarity. As it stands now, many people cannot agree with doctrines, when talking with other Christians. Therefore, arguments ensue. Now as a result, these people would rather keep their beliefs to themselves, rather than share them with others. This is what saddens me, Lord. Because people aren’t trusting in the Bible, their beliefs seem more correct then what you want to share with them. This truly causes a rift between the messenger and the person that is lost. So I pray that people of all faiths will be open to the truth. Even if it is just one person, that we meet, that opens their hearts fully to God, that would be fantastic. This is the type of person that is easy to approach and share the truths of the gospel with. Because they trust in what You say the most, we can reach them through the Spirit. This I pray Lord, in your Holy Name, Jesus. Amen.
Let us read the Bible:
Note: Any Numbered References, found above, are listed below.
1Acts 18:24-28 (KJV)
24 And a certain Jew named Apollos, born at Alexandria, an eloquent man, and mighty in the scriptures, came to Ephesus.
25 This man was instructed in the way of the Lord; and being fervent in the spirit, he spake and taught diligently the things of the Lord, knowing only the baptism of John.
26 And he began to speak boldly in the synagogue: whom when Aquila and Priscilla had heard, they took him unto them, and expounded unto him the way of God more perfectly.
27 And when he was disposed to pass into Achaia, the brethren wrote, exhorting the disciples to receive him: who, when he was come, helped them much which had believed through grace:
28 For he mightily convinced the Jews, and that publicly, shewing by the scriptures that Jesus was Christ.
2Acts 19:1-7 (KJV)
1 And it came to pass, that, while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul having passed through the upper coasts came to Ephesus: and finding certain disciples,
2 He said unto them, Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed? And they said unto him, We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost.
3 And he said unto them, Unto what then were ye baptized? And they said, Unto John’s baptism.
4 Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus.
5 When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.
6 And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied.
7 And all the men were about twelve.
