Taking the longings of the human heart right down to the basics, two longings have plagued us since the beginning of time.
- How to have peace with God.
- How to have peace on Earth.
Every religion, sect, movement, and even cult has tried and failed miserably to achieve the ultimate fulfillment of true peace and tolerance. The reason for this is eluding the modern and educated man: Having peace with God and fellow men can never be realized outside of the reconciling work of the gospel. I would like to demonstrate how Christianity is the most tolerant religion today and the only one capable of bringing true peace across nations, cultures, and backgrounds. Let’s examine some of the ways in which various popular religions and movements try to attain this ultimate reconciliation and then see how they stack up juxtaposed to true biblical Christianity.
Jehovah’s Witnesses & The Watchtower Bible and Tract Society: Peace with God and on the earth – There will be only 144,000 “spiritual brothers” that will have a resurrection to heaven and a “spirit life.” According to their argument, Jesus removed the effects of Adam’s sin by his sacrifice on Calvary, but the work will not fully be completed until the survivors of Armageddon return to God through free will and become subject to the Theocratic rule of Jehovah. For Jehovah’s Witnesses, reconciliation with God will occur during the Millennial kingdom. Jesus’ true followers are known by the true God, Jehovah, who is not a Trinity.
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (Mormons): Peace with God and on the earth – Salvation is resurrection, but exaltation to godhood, for eternal life in the celestial heaven, must be earned through self-meriting works. Salvation involves faith in Christ (and), baptism, obedience to the teaching of the Mormon Church, good works, and “keeping the commandments of God which will cleanse away the stain of sin.” Mormons rely heavily on good works and embarking on missions to perform them. The Mormons adhere to four sacred books for direction: the Bible, The Book of Mormon, Doctrine, and Covenants, and The Pearl of Great Price. People were sent to earth for potential exaltation to godhead.
Spiritism: Peace with God and on the earth – Spiritism teaches God’s fatherhood and man’s brotherhood. They believe in continuous existence and a path of endless progression. Spiritists believe they will receive compensation and retribution for the good and evil done on earth in the “hereafter.” Every soul progresses through the ages to heights, sublime and glorious, where God is love and love is God. Once the wicked compensate for evil deeds, then they may attain a state of justice where they can enter the path that leads to spiritual happiness and progression.
The Bahai Faith: Peace with God and on the earth – The Bahai Faith teaches that salvation is based upon Man’s good works coupled with God’s mercy. They believe the blood of Jesus Christ is not efficacious to cleanse anyone of sin. In the Bahai Faith, the Pauline doctrine of justification, original sin, the Trinity, and salvation are a deformation of Jesus’ teachings. If you practice the principles laid down by Bah’a ‘u’ll’ah, pray, and make personal sacrifices to live in accord with the character of the divine being revealed in him, salvation will be attained.
The New Age Movement: Peace with God and on the earth – Salvation is accomplished through good works and reincarnation. The New Age Movement denies the doctrine of sin and substitutes reincarnation as the means for atonement. We are entering an age of enlightenment or an aquarian age. The time has come to become servants of evolution and through our own consciousness to release the light, the love, and the wisdom that will bring the reunification of our spiritual estate to its fruition.
Islam: Peace with God and on the earth – Salvation is by the will of God through human obedience to God’s law. Jesus is not the Son of God, the only God is Allah, and the Qur’an is the perfect word of Allah.
The simplest way to see how the movements listed above are diametrically opposed to the true word of God is to look at what the Bible says about being reconciled to God and the means by which peace and true tolerance among men can be achieved.
One in Christ Ephesians 2:11
Therefore remember that at one time you Gentiles in the flesh, called “the uncircumcision” by what is called the circumcision, which is made in the flesh by hands—remember that you were at that time separated from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. But now in Christ Jesus, you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.
The world’s religions and sects offer promises of peace with God and a blissful hereafter. Familiar terms to attain these promises are works, sacrifice, subject to, obedience to the church, the path, reincarnation, and practicing principles among many others. This is just a small sample of the nonsense that is being offered as a path to heaven, eternal life, or complete fulfillment. Looking at the words of Paul above and the following verse, it’s easy to make this statement: True biblical Christianity is the pinnacle of tolerance and lasting peace. The gospel is open to everyone, it’s all-inclusive. Tolerance is exemplified by Jesus’ sacrifice…while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Ours is a God of peace whereby he asks us if it is possible, as far as it depends on us to live peaceably with all. The Lord Jesus is coming back soon. His invitation to eternal salvation is open to everyone, that’s tolerance.
Are you a Muslim looking for this elusive God and his love? Are you a person looking to card readers, mediums, or astrology for hope? Are you a young college student wondering what more there is to life? Are you looking to Bahai Faith, Mormonism, political activism, or social justice causes for real meaning?
I want you to know the Lord God of heaven and earth and the one who knows you inside and out already loves you and wants you to trust Him as your Lord for this life and the life to come. Jesus’ arms are always open. You will find peace, tolerance, and love that never fades in Him. Short-lived man-made peace legislated or emotionally instigated tolerance, and attempts to attain spiritual and eternal peace with God are futile without Jesus, the Prince of Peace. If you want true peace and eternal security, the most important thing I can tell you is to repent.
You are on a collision course with a holy, angry, perfect God and He is about to bring judgment upon this world. Moreover, He will bring judgment upon you if you aren’t saved.
If you haven’t repented and asked Jesus to be your Savior, please do it before it’s too late. Cry out, confess, and repent of your sins. The atoning blood of Jesus will cleanse you of all unrighteousness if you make Him your Lord. If you want to know about becoming Jesus’ follower and what it means to be saved, click here. John 3:16
Matthew 11:27-30 All things have been handed over to me by my Father, and no one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him. Come to me, all who labor and are heavily laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”
All for Him,
Howard
