THE SPIRITUAL BATTLE – 27 Which Will You Choose, The Religion Of Man Or The Religion Of God?
“The baptism of John, was it from heaven, or of men? answer me” (Mark 11:30). KJV
Loved ones, in our Spiritual Battle the Bible makes it clear that there are only two religions from which man can choose: the religion of man or the religion of the God from Heaven!
The statement Jesus made in Matthew 12:30 will haunt many people in the Day of Judgment. Jesus warned, "He that is not with me is against me; and he that gathereth not with me scattereth abroad."
To choose a man-made religion (any denomination) over the church of Christ (Christ's church), places one in direct opposition to the Lord. The reason it is the church of Christ is because the church belongs to Christ. He promised to build His church (Matthew 16:18) which is His ONE body of which He is head (Ephesians 1:22-23 4:4).
Man's religion has always been attractive and pleasing to men, but it has never been pleasing to God. Churches founded by men lack the authority that comes from Heaven and are thus of no benefit to one seeking to be a worshipper of God. Let us apply some principles found in 1 Kings 18 that will be of benefit to us today.
The religion of man comes in many forms and has many followers. Elijah was "one" man seeking to serve God, but Baal's false prophets numbered 450. The odds always seem to be in favor of Satan and the world. One reason this is true is because a depraved religion will always attract and pacify an immoral and depraved humanity.
It was Barabbas, the notorious murderer and insurrectionist, that the morally corrupt Jews wanted released instead of the Christ (Matthew 27:21). Today, Christ is crucified afresh (repeatedly) as people pledge their allegiance to man-made churches and scoff at the Lord's church (Hebrews 6:6).
The false prophets of Baal were zealous to their religion as they "cried aloud, and cut themselves after their manner with knives and lancets, till the blood gushed out upon them" (1 Kings 18:28). Today, many are zealous to their religion as they devoutly defend worship that is not authorized by the Scriptures.
The apostle Paul rightly describes those who refuse to be guided by a thus saith the Lord as those who "2 ...have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge. 3 For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God" (Romans 10:2-3). Earnestness without humble submission and obedience to the Word of God is in vain.
Followers of Baal were deceived, and so are those today who follow men instead of Christ. The disciples of Baal cried out "but there was neither voice, nor any to answer, nor any that regarded" (1 Kings 18:29). The Lord will not answer those today who are worshipping in religious error. Christ said, "Every plant, which my heavenly Father hath not planted, shall be rooted up. Let them alone: they be blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch" (Matthew 15:13-14).
The religion God authorizes is unique and has few followers. Elijah thought that he was all alone in seeking to do the will of God. It was revealed to him, however, that there were still seven thousand in Israel who had not bowed down to Baal (1 Kings 19:18; cf. Romans 11:4).
Elijah was not alone in his struggle to worship according to God's will, and neither are we alone today in our struggle to worship "in spirit and in truth" (John 4:24). Compared to the followers of false teachers, however, followers of righteousness are indeed few in number (cf. Matthew 7:13-14). Being unpopular and in the minority must never deter those who value their souls from doing what is godly and right.
Victory does not belong to the multitudes who choose to follow the creeds of men and worldly philosophy but to those who choose to follow the Lord and are guided by His Word! Every person, while in this life, must decide who he will follow. There are two opinions to choose between: God's or men. The Bible tells us that these two opinions are as wide apart as daylight and darkness.
The Scriptures declare, "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith Jehovah. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts" (Isaiah 55:8-9). How much more clearly can God state that what man "thinks" and "feels" doesn't matter when it comes to acceptable worship and service?
It is tragic that so many people value and trust their feelings more than they value and trust the inspired Word of God. The Scriptures do not teach one to cling to his feelings and never part with them, but God's Word does instruct one to "Buy the truth, and sell it not" (Proverbs 23:23). The Word of God and His Son is such truth (John 17:17).
The question of 1 Kings 18:21 is appropriate to ask of people today: "How long halt [limp] ye between two opinions? if the LORD be God, follow him: but if Baal, then follow him. And the people answered him not a word." The principle today is this: "If Christ be the founder of the church, follow Him; but if men are the legitimate and scriptural founders of the church, then follow them."
God's Word emphatically teaches that salvation is in Christ Jesus (2 Timothy 2:10), not some man! All will be judged by the Word of Christ and not by the word of men (cf. Revelation 20:12).
Most people today have seemingly decided that John 12:48 reads like this: "It does not matter if one rejects Christ and receives not his sayings, he will be judged by the creeds, opinions, and feelings of men." What a contrast with what the Bible teaches! Jesus says, "He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my sayings, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I spake, the same shall judge him in the last day."
The question pertaining to saving one's soul is this: "Will you choose the religion of man or the religion of God?" (cf. Joshua 24:15). The eternal destiny of your soul depends on the choice you make!
Shared with you by Samuel A. Matthews, preaching with the Liberty NW church of Christ, meeting in Portland, Oregon, USA. The God of Heaven and Earth is so good, and His love reaches all. He is in control, so trust Him. We love you with the love of the Lord (John 13:34-35).