THE WORLD REFUSES TO LISTEN

by Alton W. Fonville

I heard it again this very morning: "we should be thankful for the many different faiths in the world."

This is one of the many similar statements which I have been made since I can remember. It goes along with the statement: "it does not matter what a person believes, just as long as he is sincere." All this sounds real nice and makes a person "feel good" about himself, but is it the Truth which God has given us? Can we place our trust and confidence and salvation in it? Each of us has at least one copy of God's Holy Word avail able to us, so let us see how that idea compares with what God wants for the world which He created for his glory and pleasure.

Do you have a love for the Truth of God? The Bible shows what HE said, and what HE wants. This is not just one man's opinion or interpretation. Common words with which we are familiar will be used, as recorded in Scripture. How you respond to it will show your real self and will answer that question.

Remember, Jesus said "if you love me, keep my commandments" (John 14:15). For those who do not love the Truth of God, listen to what He said: "And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness" (2 Thessalonians 2:10-12). Paul said almost the same thing in Romans “And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient" (Romans 1:28).

It is vital that we love and receive the Truth in order to be saved. But, God will not force any one to do different than what their heart is set on doing. We still have a free choice and what we do in life determines our judgment. For the most part, the world is going full speed against what God wants. Jesus told us that in the story of the many who would be on that broad, easy road and the few who would be on that narrow road which leads to life eternal (Matthew 7:13-15). He concluded that story, warning of false prophets which would come to deceive many. Well, they came and are still coming and deceiving many today. So, we must have a love for the truth of God first and foremost, or we may be deceived also. Now, let us turn to the Scriptures and see about the "many faiths" which are in the world today.

The Holy Spirit directed Paul to write for our benefit: "glory was to be in the church by Jesus Christ" (Ephesians 3:21). Notice, "the church" is singular-not churches. He said specifically, to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. Now, read the next few words. He gave us seven things and said of each: "there is one" (Ephesians 4:3-6). "There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; One Lord, one faith, one baptism, One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all." Did you see what inspiration said about how many "Faiths" there were? There are just as many Gods and Lords and bodies (churches) (Ephesians 1:22-23; Colossians 1:18) as there are faiths. Now, a big part of the world agrees there is only one God and one Lord, but, they refuse to listen to there being only one faith in the same verses. Why? It all goes back to having the love for the Truth of God or not. Are we going to accept what God said, or will we give heed to what false prophets have said and continue saying? In order for us to be saved, we must submit to that one faith, obey it and be part of that one body.

"It is not in man that walketh to direct his own steps" (Jeremiah 10:23). Why not determine now to learn and love the Word of God, accept and obey it? It will be our judge on that last day (John 12:48).