This picture (at left) accompanied a recent article on foxnews.com. Apparently, a group called American Atheists Incorporated is putting up billboards along key highways that attack both Christianity and Mormonism, pleading with drivers and viewers to instead accept atheism on the basis that it is "simply reasonable."
If you haven't already, take a look at this billboard and the atheists' accusations against Christianity. As you can see, they refer to the God of the Bible as a Sadistic God, label Jesus as a Useless Savior, and contend that Christianity is a religion of hate, despite our assertion to the contrary (which is, I believe, aimed at our condemnation of the sin of homosexuality). As a Christian, it is frustrating to see such false allegations plastered on billboards like this, but honestly, it's not surprising. We can't help how people interpret the nature of our God or the purpose of the gospel. Even the Jews of the first century who heard and witnessed Jesus, were angered by His teachings and viewed Him as a "useless savior."
However, what really bothers me is how American Atheists Incorporated condemns Christianity on the basis that there are "30,000+ Versions of 'Truth.'" This bothers me, not because the Atheists are saying it, but because it's true. What REALLY bothers me is that not only is it true, but the majority of those who call themselves "Christians" are accepting of this division and even HAPPY about it.
Roman Catholic. Greek Orthodox. Lutheran. Presbyterian. Methodist. United Methodist. Episcopalian. Baptist. Southern Baptist. Free-Will Baptist. Missionary Baptist. Pentecostal. Oneness Pentecostal. Assembly of God. Church of God. Christian. And on, and on, and on, and on.
Most in the denominational world never question denominationalism.
Some even say that it's GOOD that we have so many choices...as in we get to choose the church and the faith that best suits us. Us. Me. We. Our. I. Prefer. Like. Feel. Me. Me. Me.
It's time we focus our minds HUMBLY on God. What does God say? How does God want me to live? What is HIS truth? Not my intepretation of His truth, or my church's intepretation, or that church's interpretation of His truth. What is HIS Truth???
You wanna know the saddest part of it all? Jesus Himself warned us.
"I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word, that they all may be ONE, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me" (John 17:20-21).
When God's people are unified - perfectly unified (1 Cor. 1:10) just as the Father and Son are perfectly unified, working together according to the pattern of God's word (John 17:17; 1 Cor. 4:6) - our unity will serve as a testimony to the world that there is a God and that Jesus is His Son. But when God's people are divided, disjointed and denominational, we're making it that much harder for others to believe in the gospel. Our carnality - for denominationalism is predicated on carnality (1 Cor. 3:3) - is ruining our credibility. Denominationalism and division displease God, but the Devil loves it.
Will this problem ever go away? No. But don't be a part of the problem; have the courage and fortitude to be a part of the solution.
When Pilate asked Jesus, "What is truth?" (John 18:38), Jesus didn't say, "There are 30,000+ versions of truth." Actually, He didn't answer that question right then and there. But what I do know is that He constantly affirmed ONE truth (Jn. 14:6; 17:17). Become part of the solution by seeking (Mt. 7:7), hearing and obeying (Jas. 1:22) the truth..and don't stop until you're absolutely sure you've found it, and then keep pressing forward, learning, growing, changing, and losing yourself in Christ!
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