


|
The Most Popular Religion In The World By Jeremy D. Joy |
|
There is a story about a preacher who called two boys into his office. One boy waited outside the door and the other boy was seated in a chair. The preacher said, “I have a question for you, but I want you to think before you answer. Where is God?” The boy thought hard, but the preacher asked him the same question over and over. The boy became nervous because he wanted to impress the preacher by saying the right answer. Finally, he ran out of the office and said to his friend, “They lost God and are trying to blame us.” There are too many religious organizations in the world that have “lost” God. Religion has become a hindrance in seeking God instead of a help. There are literally thousands of religions, but which one is right? It seems that most people want a religion that is more accepting and less challenging. They are not necessarily members of a denomination, but they practice the most popular religion in the world. The most popular religion in the world does not INSIST. Contrary to the teaching of Jesus and the apostles, the most popular religion in the world does not insist upon repentance, regeneration, restitution, and retribution (Luke 13:3; John 3:3-5; Acts 3:19-21; 2 Thessalonians 1:3-10). The church at Pine Street insists upon certain things, not because it is popular, but because Jesus and the apostles insisted upon certain things. The result is that we will grow spiritually and through our spiritual growth we will also grow numerically. The most popular religion in the world does not INVOLVE. Contrary to the teaching of Jesus and the apostles, the most popular religion in the world does not involve a book that is insufficient, a blessed hope, or a blood atonement (2 Timothy 3:16-17; 1 Peter 1:3-5, 17-19). The true religion of Jesus is unappealing to some because it involves things that are supernatural and the world is too good for the supernatural to be true. It is sad that most people practice such a religion. The most popular religion in the world does not INTERFERE. Contrary to the teaching of Jesus and the apostles, the most popular religion does not interfere with our pleasures, problems, and personal plans (Matthew 6:24; James 1:2-4; 4:13-17). We can continue living the way we want without interference from God and His word. The problem is that God will interfere in the end like it or not. We must distinguish between the counterfeit and the true to avoid the most popular religion in the world. Be a real Christian, not merely religious! |