Those seeking spirituality travel many paths due to their
skepticism of religion. A skepticism that creates dangerous doubts about God,
about His divinely inspired Word and what It says about every person’s need for
salvation (Romans 3:23, 6:23), the only way to salvation (Romans 10:9, 5:10/Acts
4:12/ John 5:24), and the two separate and eternal destinations prepared for
believers (John 14:1-3/I Thessalonians 4:16-17 ) and unbelievers (Revelation
20:11-15/John 3:18/Revelation 1:18/Matthew 18:8-9). When or if God is
considered, He is always seen as loving (John 3:16/Romans 5:8-10/I John 4:9-10),
and His righteous wrath and judgments are totally disregarded (Romans 1:18,
2:8/II Peter 2:5-6,9/John 3:36/II Thessalonians 1:9/Hebrews 10:30).
But there is a vast difference between religion and true
Christianity, so dismissing God and His Word because of one’s dislike for
organized religion is very misguided. If we read John 10:10(b), Jesus didn’t use
the word religion. “…I am come that they might have life (not religion), and
that they might have it more abundantly.” Jesus didn’t say He came to earth to
bring religion, but eternal salvation. Unfortunately, ‘Christianity’ has become
a catch-all word that incorrectly lumps true Christianity with many and varied
religions. But the following quote truly says it all! “Christianity is one of a
kind. It is the singular reality of God’s activity to restore mankind from their
fallen condition through His Son Jesus Christ.” “But God commendeth his love
toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8)
Perhaps unaware of this difference, people search for true
spirituality in all the wrong places! They seek out false prophets and false
gods, mixing teachings of Buddha and Mohammed with Hinduism creating a toxic
potion of worthless rhetoric, while Jesus’ teachings are mostly ignored, if not
entirely. But why would anyone put their faith in dead men instead of believing
in the Risen Savior who continually answers prayers, and performs miracles?
Jesus said “ I am he that liveth, and was dead…behold, I am alive for
evermore….” (Revelation 1:18) Placing one’s faith in anyone or anything other
than the Lord is as absurd and unproductive as opening a telephone book with the
expectation it will dial the desired number! Only THE LIVING GOD, the “GREAT, I
AM” can hear us, answer us and provide peace and comfort day after day! (Romans
5:1/Philippians 4:7)
Seekers pursue spirituality through numerous paths: personal
experiences, nature, social interaction, and good works. They pray (to whom?),
meditate and exercise. All human endeavors! They even seek truth through
scientific findings, a rather startling fact when one realizes God’s Word
doesn’t support science…science supports God’s Word! Many also study ancient
mystics, ponder sacred texts and read spiritual works while flirting with
destructive ideologies such as Solipsism which maintains that ‘only your own
experiences and existence can be known’, meaning: truth is what YOU believe and
perceive. This isn’t a path to spirituality, but a direct conduit to relativism!
(Proverbs 3:5)
Genuine spirituality comes from spiritual knowledge;
knowledge found only through the truth, and the truth is Jesus Christ, not man
or his religion! “Jesus saith…I am the way (path/route), the truth, and the
life; no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” (John 14:6) Without the Lord,
every path one travels is littered with self, causing spiritual seekers to
follow their carnal nature, to set their own truths, and to rely on their many
experiences, thus leaving no room for Jesus! (Romans 8:5) “For by grace are ye
saved through faith; and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God; Not of
works, lest any man should boast” (Ephesians 2:8-9). For those seriously
seeking, one must set self aside, pick-up God’s Word and, with both an open mind
and heart, Read It! “For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually
minded is life and peace.” (Romans 8:6.) Without the Spirit of Christ, no one
can or will find true spirituality! (Romans 8:7-11,13)
To question God, His existence and/or His Word is spiritually
lethal! Those possessing true spirituality (born again believers) sincerely and
wholeheartedly place their faith in Jesus Christ, thereby establishing a
never-ending personal relationship with the Living God! Unfortunately, the time
will come when the spiritual seekers’ futile search will end, and it will be too
late to find authentic spirituality because they didn’t put their faith and
trust in the shed blood of Jesus Christ! “Strive to enter in at the strait gate
(eternal life), for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not
be able.” (Luke 13:24)
Real Christianity has but ONE path, the way of the cross!
This pathway leads to Jesus, forgiveness of our sins, eternal life, and true
spirituality! All other paths lead to everlasting condemnation. “…and broad is
the way that leadeth to destruction (eternal punishment), and many there be
which go in thereat:” (Matthew 7:13-14)
Religion has man. True Christianity has the Savior Jesus
Christ, and therein is found genuine spirituality!
