-----Original Message-----
From: Kevin Collins
Sent: Tuesday, May 17, 2005 8:29 PM
To: websales@stereomanuals.com
Subject: spiritual views
Rick,
As a truth seeker myself (very good description of me and my spirituality!) I am very curious about something, and would like your feelings. Here's the question. Do you think that your decision to follow Jesus Christ has any thing to do with the fact that you (I'll assume) were raised in an overwhelmingly Christian society?
I find it incredibly interesting that large areas of the globe, and even small societies, all think their way is the right one. I find myself unable to embrace any particular religion (although I am sure there is a God). I find the answers given by any religion to questions about God to be strangely "non-answers". I believe there is a divine reason for this. I'm not sure we are supposed to have the answers, even though every religion claims it does. What do you think?
Thanks,
Kevin
Kevin,
I suppose that living in this society probably had a great deal to do with my initial inclinations to believe in Jesus. However, I did spend some considerable time in my mid 20's looking at the basic tenets of the various world religions. What I found is rather simple. Every single "religion" on the face of the earth other than Christianity requires WORKS, WORKS AND MORE WORKS.
The so-called scared writings of the Hindus, Muslims, etc. pale in comparison to the Hebrew (Christian) bible as we know it. The real clincher for me is that the tomb of Jesus is empty. End of story. Beyond that, I believe I sense the presence of God and his voice in my inner being on a regular basis. My family has witnessed too many "coincidences" in response to prayer, etc. to believe anything other than God is alive, well and who he says he is. All the arguments in the world by "learned men" can not overcome that.
All "religion" is man-made and the bible says god hates "religion." My suggestion to you is to not seek after what the Methodist say, the Catholics say, the Pentecostals say, the whomever's say, or the various "ism's" say..... instead, take a bible and seek after the one who claims to be the creator of all things. The New Testament says that Jesus is the one and that he pre-existed the creation. In fact, it says he is the creator of all.
The reason that you haven't found religious people who can answer your questions is because most don't have the answers. I used to think I did, till I began to actually "mature" in the lord. I discovered that it really is a life of faith cause we do NOT have all the answers. I have more questions than answers.
Religion is a BUSINESS that is in business to perpetuate it's own existence in most cases, not to actually seek and do the will of God. Good things do happen of course and I don't mean everyone is "evil" or part of a vast religious conspiracy of some sort. I just mean most of us haven't "arrived" yet and most are simply doing the best they know how. Unfortunately, that means that most religious activities are being done with the stamp of man's ideas all over it.
Religion is what man says God says, NOT what God says. If God is real, he is able to speak to YOU if you seek him with honesty and integrity. I hope you do.
Jesus really was (and is) different than all the characters worshipped by the religions of the world. He was not just a "good man" or just a "teacher." I believe he is in fact true God and quite capable of speaking to you. The New Testament says YOU have no need of a teacher as the Holy Spirit is your teacher and capable of leading you into all truth.
NOTE: That doesn't mean he will drag you. It means he will lead you. Are you willing to put forth some effort to follow? That is always the central question for every human being. BE A SEEKER OF TRUTH AND TRUTH WILL MAKE HIMSELF KNOWN TO YOU.
Best regards,
Rick
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