*written 8/4/09

I was thinking this evening about the reality of other belief systems. Not that they do exist so much as they are not based on all falsehoods. As Christians we often refer to them as false religions. But really how “false” are they? Now hear me out on this. I may not mean, what your first impression might have been. We all know many religions are full of fallacies and inconsistencies. But the truth that they do embrace is often times the hook, line, and sinker.

It must be true that the billions of people who “sink” are genuinely deceived. But look at it another way. Are they allowed by God to be deceived, because of the rebellion in their hearts already towards the Lord? Are they truly poor helpless creatures whom we beg for God's mercies upon, to open their eyes to the truth? Or is it more, that their hearts need softened(by God's mercies of course); responsibility for their sins needs to be taken; and humility and brokeness will cause the scales to fall from their eyes?

Many people believe in what they believe in, because they trust with a mere 'cause and effect' sort of mentality. “I tried it. It worked. It must be true.” Can you see how dangerous this must be, when a person who thinks this way, sees a medicine doctor heal someone in the jungles of Africa? The religion he would embrace would not be the way, the truth-- and it would not be the life! There is one way to the Father, but many ways to try. There is only one truth, but Satan is a mastermind in packaging many different lies by wrapping them in truth. Lastly, he would indeed be living a life. But it would be a fleshly one, submitted to the wiles of the Devil. Consequently, I believe that Christians must beware of validating their faith merely by experience. Our faith is a reality and so may be theirs. But in the war of good and evil, we are serving the King of Righteousness who has power over the king of darkness. What we must not forget is that this evil king, does have power.

We all know, but fail to be aware of it on a minute by minute basis, that we are in constant spiritual warfare. Our enemy is often times those other religions who claim to 'work'. Their god does exist. Other times our enemy is that person who says the God does not exist. That person's god is himself. These gods are real. The war is real. The power behind the truth mixed with lies? Its all real!

But what power do these forces have that were not given to them? When I say I worship the one true God, I mean that I am worshiping the only one who is worthy of the title, and with a capital G!

"Wherefore, should the heathen say, where is now their God? But our God is in the heaven: He hath done whatsoever He hath pleased." Ps. 115:2-3

One last thing. Haven't you ever gotten caught up in the 'cause and effect' religion? I believe we Christians easily stumble at times because we are looking for the wrong effect when we pray. When we don't see the effect we expect, we begin to doubt the cause. And when we doubt the cause, we are in truth, doubting the goodness of the Lord. Choose ye this day whom you will serve. Allow your salvation from sin be the guaranteed effect of trusting in a Righteous God. And then trust Him to know whats best in all circumstances.

"As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord."

Fierce may be the conflict, strong may be the foe,