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By John Eoff
At the center of all religion is the principal of obedience. Whether its an Aborigine trying to persuade one of a variety of gods to do something beneficial to himself, or any other religious person seeking favor, the bargaining chip in his plea is his following the correct procedure in order to induce his God to perform the desired pleasure. By obeying certain imagined or prescribed directives in just the correct manner he hopes to obtain what he desires. The pilots and other participants in the hijacking of airliners to crash into building, killing thousands of innocent men, women and children, were surely confident of their obedience to the God of Abraham as they directed the huge planes to their final destination. They were surely doing Allah’s will and would be greatly rewarded for their obedience.
The same is true within the Christian religion also. Religious zealots spend countless hours in search of directives to which they can comply and obtain the desired results. The reasoning is surely the results of their worldly experience---specific items are obtained through exchange of goods or services. Meet the demanded price or duty and obtain the desired object.
Such reasoning has fragmented the Lord’s family into countless warring tribes, each certain of his correct detection of specific directives to be met in order to obtain—maintain God’s approval and the resulting eternal life in heaven. Each is counting on himself, usually with the help of professionals, to discover and obey the proper directives.
If THE WAY was a religion we would be correct in our determination to obtain through obedience the eternal destination. But rest assured, if THE WAY was a religion, the directives to the destination would be so clear and properly worded, that there would be no confusion as to the demands to be obeyed. There would be a path so well marked that everyone could identify it. Such is not the case because THE WAY is not a religion.
THE WAY is Jesus of Nazareth, the Son of God. Through one man’s obedience the multitude is saved. He said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. If any man believe in me though he were dead, yet shall he live and if any man lives and believes in me he shall never die”. “Every one who believes in (God’s son) shall never perish but have everlasting life”. THE WAY is a gift of God to everyone who believes, not the results of correct deciphering and obedience to some correct formula. Anyone determined to learn and follow prescribed directives in order to obtain the reward should apply himself or herself to one of the myriad Christian religions. That way is divided and full of conflict and strife. It will not eliminate the possibility of obtaining the goal but it will make the path rough and unpleasant, full of animosity from your siblings as well as outsiders. It is division personified.
John Eoff
159 Hilltop Drive Kerrville, TX 78028
(830) 896-3731
jedele@ktc.com
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