The Pope and other religions by Charles J. Chaput 9 . 16 . 24

The Pope and other religions by Charles J. Chaput.

Pope Francis was recently speaking to an interreligious group of young people in Singapore, where he left his prepared remarks to offer some general reflections about religion. In his extemporaneous comments, he stated: “[Religions] are like different languages in order to arrive at God, but God is God for all. Since God is God for all, then we are all children of God.”

He then added:

If you start to fight, “My religion is more important than yours; mine is true, and yours isn’t,” where will that lead us? There’s only one God, and each of us has a language to arrive at God. Some are Sikh, Muslim, Hindu, Christian, and they are different paths [to God].

There was a day when the pope’s statement would have made headlines as faith leaders voiced their disagreement. Jesus was very clear, stating of himself: “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6). He also said of himself, “Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God” (John 3:18).

After teaching world religions for three decades with four seminaries, I can tell you that Islam, Buddhism, Hinduism, and Orthodox Judaism are similarly convinced that theirs is the right path to salvation, however they understand it. Furthermore, the various religions do not teach the same truth.

For example, while the pope rightly claimed that “there’s only one God,” Hindus recognize millions of deities. While Jews, Muslims, and Christians believe humans live forever as individuals, Buddhists and Hindus believe we ultimately become one with reality. And none but Christians believe Jesus is the Son of God who died on the cross to atone for our sins.

Why, then, did the pope’s statement not receive more attention? Because it aligned with the “tolerance” ethic, our secularized society so fully embraces. His words were not at all counter-cultural; to the contrary, he would likely have drawn more scrutiny if he had restated the orthodox Christian doctrine that faith in Christ is essential for salvation.

So, here’s my question:

If we choose tolerance over truth, are we helping or harming those we influence?

If your doctor discovers a malignancy in your body, which do you want her to choose? If your mechanic finds a defect that will cause your brakes to fail at high speed, which do you want him to choose?

Telling people that salvation requires faith in Jesus requires courage on our part. But compassion often does. So, let us pray for the lost people we know to experience the joy of eternal life in Christ. Let us ask the Holy Spirit to open doors to our witnesses and give us the words and courage we need to share with them.

Dr. Duane Brooks, is right: “Jesus Christ did not come into the world, die on the cross, and rise again to make bad people good. He came to make dead people live. Praise God, he is still doing it.”

 According to news reports, Pope Francis suggested that, “[Religions] are like different languages in order to arrive at God, but God is God for all. Since God is God for all, then we are all children of God.” He went on to say, “If you start to fight, ‘my religion is more important than yours, mine is true and yours isn’t,’ where will that lead us? There’s only one God, and each of us has a language to arrive at God. Some are Sikh, Muslim, Hindu, Christian, and they are different paths [to God].” The Holy Father’s positive intent here was obvious.

Francis then added a call to enter into interreligious dialogue. He spoke about dialogue as if it were an end in itself. “Interreligious dialogue,” he said, “is something that creates a path.” The question then is: a path to where?

That all religions have equal weight is an extraordinarily flawed idea for the Successor of Peter to appear to support. It is true that all of the great religions express a human yearning—often with beauty and wisdom—for something more than this life. Humans have a need to worship. That desire seems to be hardwired into our DNA. But not all religions are equal in their content or consequences. Substantial differences exist among the religions the pope named. They have very different notions of who God is and what that implies for the nature of the human person and society. As St. Paul preached two thousand years ago, the search for God can take many imperfect forms, but they are each an imperfect search for the one, true, triune God of Sacred Scripture. Paul condemns false religions and preaches Jesus Christ as the reality and fulfillment of the unknown God whom the Greeks worship (Acts 17:22–31). 

Simply put: Not all religions seek the same God, and some religions are both wrong and potentially dangerous, materially and spiritually.

Which is why Jesus did not say, “Stay on your path, and let’s talk about it.”

by Charles J. Chaput.

https://www.firstthings.com/web-exclusives/2024/09/the-pope-and-other-religions

 

 

Eternal Security. Backsliding and The Hare Krishna Movement.

 Eternal Security. Backsliding and The Hare Krishna Movement.

 Very important Conversation with a Dear Sister from Australia, Coral Child.
(Edited).

“Hiya. Our Brother in Christ, JOHN (name changed) is a Hare Krishna follower again. Apparently since a couple of years. He's reportedly mentally unwell in India according to the devotees. We can only pray by the Grace of God he wakes up AGAIN & follows the Truth of God's Word in the Bible. It makes me feel ill thinking about his choice. Thanks Ricky!! ”

A Little background:

JOHN, was a Hare Krishna devotee for years. With the grace of God, he became a born again believer. Approx 2016-2017, if I recollect correctly. After that, sadly, he perhaps didn’t get the right fellowship or church or didn’t study/rightly divide and understand The Word and didn’t get help/nurturing from other believers, including me (online), and shifted to deep Orthodox Christianity. From there he is back to being a Hare Krishna devotee again.

Back to the conversation:

In my reply to her, I was I was saddened and angry and was questioning God why this happened and replied:

“Coral, a guy like me... Faith is shaken stirred. Messed up. Exhausted with the daily tribulations of life… Imagine JOHN, who was not as mature in The Faith as us... Sigh. Faith. Very difficult to hold on. Top it up There are 4200+ faiths religions paths on earth today. Groan. Jesus is the only way. The only way that makes sense to me. We push on in faith hope love and Hold on to Christ, the author and perfecter of our faith.

Infact I was thinking of doing a post on faith. And this is it!

Faith. It's not Sensationalism. CHRISTIANITY is not answered prayers and prosperity and God is at our disposal like a Genie and the lamp. It's Faith. Unseen yet dependable.

Now faith is the assurance (title deed, confirmation) of things hoped for (divinely guaranteed), and the evidence of things not seen [the conviction of their reality—faith comprehends as fact what cannot be experienced by the physical senses]. For by this [kind of] faith the men of old gained [divine] approval. By faith [that is, with an inherent trust and enduring confidence in the power, wisdom and goodness of God] we understand that the worlds (universe, ages) were framed and created [formed, put in order, and equipped for their intended purpose] by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things which are visible. (Hebrews 11:1-3 AMP).

 She replied:

“My sister said (SHE TOO IS A HARE KRISHNA DEVOTEE) when JOHN became a Christian, it was AGAIN, & all the devotees said he'll be BACK, AGAIN!!! He knew the Bible back to front, but she said, he also knows Krishna scripture back to front. I told her if ANY devotees ever say that I'll be back, to tell them THAT'S NEVER HAPPENING! Then I ranted about the Rapture, how I don't believe in reincarnation, etc etc etc My sister is very considerate of my faith in Jesus because SHE KNOWS THE BIBLE TOO! OMG WHYYYY do they NOT FOLLOW JESUS???!!!!!!!!!!! it's soooo frustrating But that's not on us. It's their choice”

I suddenly got a jolt. What am I sharing with Her? Whats wrong with me.I was subconsciously directed to share my understanding of God’s Beauty and Eternal Unmerited Grace and what Salvation truly is, with her.

Hey Sis, Guess what. Here is the kicker. JOHN is 100% saved today tomorrow and for all eternity. Irrespective of doubt, Losing his faith. Why? Coz God is beautiful. He forgives. He gives grace upon grace and no one can pluck JOHN out of God the Father and God the son's hands. We are all secure in Christ. For all eternity. Even JOHN  (Zero rewards at Bema Judgement perhaps), But 100% saved. (1 Corinthians 3:10-15). Tell everyone How great is our God.

Salvation has zero % to do with us. It's all Jesus. And He saves. Irrespective of how horrible we are in works or faith. Even if we deny him after once believing in Him, He doesn't deny us. So whenever JOHN choose Jesus and has now backslided or joined another path, He is safe and secure for all eternity.

Even if one has Doubts in their Christian life? They are SAVED. What if they Believe, then later, Stop Believing? They are SAVED. 2 Tim 2:13 says, If we are faithless, He remains faithful, for He cannot deny Himself.

Rejoice in our earthly suffering Sis. Cry scream curse ... Anything. We hang in there. Wait and Watch. BUT GOD J Coz we shall see God and be with him forever!!!

 She replied :

Scripture about backsliding? I thought that's it YOU CAN'T DENY HIM & STILL BE SAVED? The Hare Krishna's all accept Jesus! They just go on a different pathway to Godhead?

 I shared this:

1 Corinthians 3:10-15 says: According to the grace of God which was given to me, like a wise master builder I laid a foundation, and another is building on it. But each person must be careful how he builds on it. For no one can lay a foundation other than the one which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if anyone builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, or straw, each one’s work will become evident; for the day will show it because it is to be revealed with fire, and the fire itself will test the quality of each one’s work. If anyone’s work which he has built on it remains, he will receive a reward. If anyone’s work is burned up, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet only so as through fire.

Eternal Security:

One of Christianity’s most controversial issues—and one of our most frequently asked questions—involves the concept of Eternal Security. And understanding the three tenses of “salvation.” Can a man (or a woman) lose his salvation? Yes! If it depends on him (or her)!!! Thank God for God. Salvation is not dependent on us.

Salvation is Eternal. We can’t earn it, or maintain it. It’s an Unmerited Free Gift of Grace by God, not a conditional inheritance. We are forgiven and God’s Righteousness is imputed to us. Past, Present, Future Sins, paid in full.

And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father’s hand.
John 10:28-29 

https://www.khouse.org/personal_update/articles/2008/eternal-security-part-1

Can a Believer lose his Salvation?

IMPOSSIBLE. John 5:24 says, “Truly, truly, I say to you, the one who hears My word, and believes Him who sent Me, has eternal life, and does not come into judgment, but has passed out of death into life. 1 John 5:13 says, These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, so that you may know that you have eternal life. John 6:47 says, Truly, truly, I say to you, the one who believes has eternal life. Ephesians 1:13-14 says, In Him, you also, after listening to the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation—having also believed, you were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of the promise, who is a first installment of our inheritance, in regard to the redemption of God’s own possession, to the praise of His glory. Romans 8:30 says, and these whom He predestined, He also called; and these whom He called, He also justified; and these whom He justified, He also glorified. Romans 11:29 says, for the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable. Romans 8:38-39 says, For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Coral asked: The Hare Krishna's all accept Jesus! They just go on a different pathway to Godhead?

Reply:

For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that none can boast. (Ephesians. 2:8-9).

Just Believe in Jesus Christ! God's one condition for justification. For the Scripture says, “Whoever believes in Him will not be put to shame.”

Not Jesus Christ + Baptism.
Not Jesus Christ + Good Works.
Not Jesus Christ + Church Attending.
Not Jesus Christ + Giving Tithes Offerings.
Not Jesus Christ + Virgin Mary.
Not Jesus Christ + Krishna.
It’s not Jesus Christ + _______!

Christ's Righteousness is imputed to us when we believe.

What it does mean is that we are positionally righteous; even though we still sin, we are forensically or legally righteous. God has credited the righteousness of Christ to our account, and He did this when He saved us. In grace, the holiness of Jesus Christ is ascribed to us. Christ “has become for us wisdom from God—that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption” 

But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption:
1 Corinthians 1:30.

By having the righteousness of Christ imputed to us, we can be seen as sinless, as Jesus is sinless. This is amazing grace! We are not righteous in ourselves; rather, we possess Christ’s righteousness applied to our account. It is not our perfection but Christ’s that God sees when He brings us into fellowship with Himself. We are still sinners in practice, but the grace of God has declared us to have righteous standing before the law.

For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him. 2 Corinthians 5:21 KJV.

Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference:
Romans 3:22

Believe in Jesus Christ alone.

Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. (John 14:6)

 “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life. For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world might be saved through Him. He who believes in Him is not judged; he who does not believe has been judged already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God." (John 3:16-18).

Once saved, Overcoming/Persevering, is by OUR faith in HIS finished work (Tetelestai). It’s all HIS work. We overcome by OUR Faith, because He overcomes through us by HIS finished work.  (1 John 5:4-5).

Are you Saved? Today is the day of Salvation. Place your Trust and Believe in Christ alone for the safekeeping of your soul.  ”believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life” (1 John 5:13). 

 

Note:

One important lesson to learn here.

Don't be deceived by what western Christianity is showing online. Reality in the ground is totally different. The Church is in complete Apostasy. Its Tithes Offerings Giving and NOT Jesus Christ anymore.

Lot of people are accepting Christ. Lot of people are leaving the faith and accepting Islam, or Hinduism, or Buddhism or the New Age Religion. Satan rules The Air with God's permission. So please pray and use Biblical Discernment in your Giving and Works.