What Are You Looking For?

What are you looking for, really? Some people are looking for a religious security blanket, and will accept something short of real truth that purifies from sin (Isa. 28:20; Isa. 30:1; Eph. 5:25,26; II Tim. 4:3; I Pet. 1:22). Some are just looking for a nice social religious environment where they can comfort themselves with the fact that they are “going to church.” Some have to be certain that they’re affiliated with a religious setting that is highly respected in the religious community. These folks should consider the sobering words of Jesus that he spoke to the religious leaders of his day: “And he said unto them, Ye are they which justify yourselves before men; but God knoweth your hearts: for that which is highly esteemed among men is abomination in the sight of God” (Lk. 16:15). And then there are the few who are simply looking for a true connection to God, and for the truth which alone fuels and strengthens that connection. These are the only people who are going to receive truth when they hear it, and continue therein (Jn. 8:31,32; Rev. 2:8). Those who simply want peace with God, and to have his love dwelling in them fully, will be like the Bereans in the book of Acts, of whom the scripture states; “they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so [what Paul preached]” (Acts 17:11).

Everyone who is not totally after the real truth of God will be more interested in resisting the truth when confronted with it, and trying to prove some vain doctrine for the sake of pride. It’s a shame that there aren’t more folks who follow the example of the apostle Paul, who said; “But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord” (Philip. 3:7,8). The religious pride in the traditions and doctrines of men will keep you from continuing to learn of God by his Spirit, and will make you unwilling to suffer the loss that is necessary to gain the knowledge of Christ, as Paul alluded to. So why do so many prefer to stay with the erroneous traditions of Christianity, even though the dissatisfaction they feel is unmistakable? For the same reason that has always stood: “Nevertheless among the chief rulers also many believed on him; but because of the Pharisees they did not confess him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue” (Jn. 12:42). And again, “How can ye believe, which receive honour one of another, and seek not the honour that cometh from God only?” (Jn. 5:44). So it is evident that it comes down to WHO you want more than WHAT you want. I don’t know about you friend, but I would rather be a friend of Jesus, and the peace and confidence that goes with it, than to be in a comfortable religious environment, accepting the vain respect of men (Lk. 22,23,26) Amen.