"There is a way that seems right unto a man: but the end thereof are the ways of death" Proverbs 14:12.
The way that seems right to a man are the ways of religion. Religion is always man centered. All of the cults have a man at the center of their doctrine, religion or theology. In the Calvinist religion it is John Calvin. In the Catholic religion it is the pope. In the Mormon religion it is Joseph Smith. Regardless of which religion it is there is always a man at the center.
The Christian religion or faith does not have a man at its center, it is founded on the work and the person of Jesus Christ who was and is without sin.
Religion seems like the right way, do good works, be a good person and God will accept you into heaven. This is the devils lie. We are all born into sin, Psalm 51:5. We are all sinners without works. We did not become sinners by what we did or by what we have become. We became sinners because our parents were sinners, because their parents were sinners and it all goes back to Adam, Romans 5:12.
When Adam sinned God with drew his Spirit from him. All that are born into the world are void of the Spirit of God. The Holy Spirit is only given to those who hear and believe the Gospel, Paul said, "Did you receive the Spirit by the works of the law (because you did something) or by the hearing of faith (hearing and believing the Gospel) Galatians 3:2. Before one can receive the Holy Spirit God must see you as perfect and complete "In Christ". To be "In Christ" means that you have forsaken your religion or your righteousness and that you are totally and completely dependent upon the righteousness and the atonement of your sins by Christ for your salvation.
This is what Peter meant when he said..."Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God (The Gospel) which lives and abides forever" 1 Peter 1:23. The Holy Spirit and the Gospel message are inseparable. All who hear and believe the Gospel are born again. This is why Jesus told the apostles to go into all of the world and preach the Gospel to everyone, Mark 16:15. Paul wrote, "For the Gospel is the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believes" Romans 1:16.
This is God's way. This is God's plan of salvation. This is the only way that anyone can be saved. It is not the way of Calvinism, nor is it the way of Catholicism or any man conceived religion. It is God's way.
The way that seems right to a man are the ways of religion. Religion is always man centered. All of the cults have a man at the center of their doctrine, religion or theology. In the Calvinist religion it is John Calvin. In the Catholic religion it is the pope. In the Mormon religion it is Joseph Smith. Regardless of which religion it is there is always a man at the center.
The Christian religion or faith does not have a man at its center, it is founded on the work and the person of Jesus Christ who was and is without sin.
Religion seems like the right way, do good works, be a good person and God will accept you into heaven. This is the devils lie. We are all born into sin, Psalm 51:5. We are all sinners without works. We did not become sinners by what we did or by what we have become. We became sinners because our parents were sinners, because their parents were sinners and it all goes back to Adam, Romans 5:12.
When Adam sinned God with drew his Spirit from him. All that are born into the world are void of the Spirit of God. The Holy Spirit is only given to those who hear and believe the Gospel, Paul said, "Did you receive the Spirit by the works of the law (because you did something) or by the hearing of faith (hearing and believing the Gospel) Galatians 3:2. Before one can receive the Holy Spirit God must see you as perfect and complete "In Christ". To be "In Christ" means that you have forsaken your religion or your righteousness and that you are totally and completely dependent upon the righteousness and the atonement of your sins by Christ for your salvation.
This is what Peter meant when he said..."Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God (The Gospel) which lives and abides forever" 1 Peter 1:23. The Holy Spirit and the Gospel message are inseparable. All who hear and believe the Gospel are born again. This is why Jesus told the apostles to go into all of the world and preach the Gospel to everyone, Mark 16:15. Paul wrote, "For the Gospel is the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believes" Romans 1:16.
This is God's way. This is God's plan of salvation. This is the only way that anyone can be saved. It is not the way of Calvinism, nor is it the way of Catholicism or any man conceived religion. It is God's way.
