According to
some estimates, there are over 4,000 religions, faiths groups, and
denominations that exist around the world today. Researchers and academicians
generally categorize the world's religions into five major groups:
Christianity, Islam, Buddhism, Hinduism, and Judaism. This blog is not intended
to portray religion based on rank, but it intends to bring a paradigm shift to
a relationship with the one true God. Today, religions are gauged based on the
number of followers, number of shrines present in a particular state or the
country and the general country census. More often than not, in the name of
religion hatred, antagonism, and war are promoted dividing people.
Any religion
that cannot facilitate love, brotherhood, harmony, and oneness should be re-examined
to know where lies the gap. You can check my blog titled, “Are you a Protector? where I have mentioned that we are trying to protect God and
religion. I keep reiterating that people’s sentiments to shrines and places
exceeds actual belief in God. Religion demands a few hours in a particular day
of the week, for that matter every religion has special auspicious days and
people comply by visiting the religious buildings on that day as part of their
duty. But Jesus’ teaching only focuses on relationship with God. Jesus from the
Bible deconstructed the idea of religious building. Jesus in one of His
conversations said this, “God is spirit, and those who worship him must
worship in spirit and truth.”.
Jesus’
teaching was not just about good moral values, but a true depiction of His
character. His sermon and preaching always referred to the kingdom of God. His
famous sayings were this, “repent because the kingdom of heaven is at
hand.”. He did not refer to an afterlife with new incarnation but
being with Him in eternity. I refer and claim His saying for the fact that He
is the only person in entire human history who rose from the dead. This is the
game changer for me personally. People’s lives are transformed including
dangerous criminals. They find hope in Him probably more so on His teaching.
During my
conversation with people with an honest quest to find the truth, I have
requested them to read the Bible at least once with an open mind to know the
truth. Let me echo with Josh McDowell who said this, “there are
non-Christian sources of information about Jesus, such as Suetonius, Celsus and
Thallus, but Tacitus and Josephus alone suffice to establish Jesus’
historicity.”. You may browse or refer to their testimonials
regarding their claims about Him. Today, in many parts of our Country,
Christians schools and hospitals who do noble service are condemned of
converting. The act of love and charity are used by fanatics to blame them. I
believe what Christians are attempting are to follow the great commandments
said by Jesus, i.e., to love God with all our soul, heart, mind, and
strength and love our neighbour as oneself. Another fascinating truth
from the Bible says, “Don’t you yourselves know that you are God’s
temple and that the spirit of God lives in you?” Keep your heart
clean for the living God to live in you and transform you.
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