Does it really matter what your beliefs are?

by Jason Werner

"In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth." (Genesis 1:1)

It is as simple as that! But if it were that simple, then why are there so many religions?

The truth is that God did not create religion. Man created religion. According to Encarta, the definition of religion is personal beliefs, and that is, for the most part, what people consider religion. Considering that man created religion, then religion is obviously inspired by the devil.

Logic states this - since the devil is going to hell, then everybody who follows any religion is going to hell right along with him because he inspired religion. Hence, religion is the way to hell.

If religion is the way to hell, then how can a person know the way to heaven?

When a well-known Rabbi, about 2,000 years ago, was asked, "How can we know the way?" Jesus said:

"I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me." (John 14:6)

The person who asked that question was named Thomas and often known as "doubting" Thomas. According to Britannica Encyclopedia, he eventually got killed for believing in the truth about his God and Savior, Jesus Christ.

That same encyclopedia, as well as many biblical texts, noted that the Man Jesus Christ had a group of 12 main disciples. One of those disciples, Judas Iscariot, betrayed Jesus of Nazareth and sold Him for 30 pieces of silver. Judas later killed himself. However, 10 out of the remaining 11 disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ were martyred (including Thomas of course) for their faith in the only begotten Son of God.

They did not die for religion. They died for what they saw with their own eyes. They died for what they heard with their own ears. They died for what they felt with their own physical hands. They died for the simple fact that they realized that death itself could not keep Jesus Christ from raising again the third day.

It doesn't matter what we sinful humans believe about Him. The fact of the matter is, God said it, therefore it's true. You either believe in Him and trust Him with your life or you are against Him. He first loved us, we did not first love Him. For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God. Romans 3:23

We are God's creation and we have the will to accept His redemptive work of dying on the cross for our sins or denying His free gift of eternal life and burning in hell forever.

"And it came to pass, that, as they went in the way, a certain man said unto the Lord, 'I will follow thee withersoever thou goest.' And Jesus said unto him, 'Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head.' And he said unto another, 'Follow me.'

But he said, 'Lord, suffer me first to go and bury my father.' Jesus said unto him, 'Let the dead bury their dead: but go thou and preach the kingdom of God.' And another also said, 'Lord, I will follow thee; but let me first go bid them farewell, which are at home at my house,' And Jesus said unto him, 'No man having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.' Luke 9:57-62

Are you going to keep living for yourself or are you going to commit your life to the One who gave His life for you and knew you even before He formed the universe? His love is true.

"Neither is their salvation in any other; for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved." Acts 4:12

Jason Werner
© 2011 - Updated 10-24-20