Lots more! If you were to randomly ask different people what is their opinion of life; very likely you would get different views. This is because, as humans, we are individually different—we think differently, and act differently. Besides, each person is entitled to his or her personal opinion.
However, no matter how we may act or think, there are certain things we cannot change (though some would like to). And these will remain until “death do us part.” For example, the sun rises in the east and sets in the west every day. There are 24 hours in a day, 7 days in each week, 52 weeks in a year, and 365 days in each year.
For a perspective on life, I turn to the Word of God—the Bible—whose divine author is God Almighty. “All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work” (2 Timothy 3:16).
I live my life based on the Scripture. The reason being man cannot be trusted to keep his word. He says one thing today, and will change his mind thereafter. Also, dishonesty and lying is the order of the day for some. The Bible says this about man, “One who is abominable and corrupt, . . . who drinks injustice like water” (Job 15:16).
As a child growing up, my parents taught me to “speak the truth and speak it ever, cost it what it will. He who hides the wrong he does, does the wrong thing still.” A long time ago, a man’s word was his bond. However, things are very different today.
In a court of law, the sworn testimony by a witness is to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth. This means no omission, alteration, or deviation from the truth. Perjury is the offense of willfully telling an untruth in a court of law after having taken an oath to tell the truth. People who lie under oath are fined huge sums of money by the court, also jail time.
Truth can be very evasive because people just don’t want to commit to anything, directly or indirectly, and accept the consequences thereof. Some people choose to play the “blame game” rather than telling the truth.
As a believer in Jesus Christ as my Savior; my faith is in the God of the Bible “who never lies,” (Titus 1:2). Also, “it is impossible for God to lie” (Hebrews 6:18). Therefore, God’s Word can be trusted to be absolutely correct, holy, pure, and true. “Let God be true though every one were a liar …. that you may be justified in your words, and prevail when you are judged” (Romans 3:4).
The world is filled with false teachers and their doctrines who operate under the banner of religion. And they have their disciples. There are others who say “I’m not for religion,” or “I don’t believe in this religion stuff.” Still others, “Religion is not my thing.”
Whereas we respect each person’s views; we don’t necessarily have to agree or accept them as truth. The important thing is, what are these views truly based on? And what is the Biblical response to the views expressed?
There is a huge difference between mere religion and true Christianity. The fact is religion is man’s search for God, while Christianity is God reaching down to man in love, grace, and mercy. Research shows some who claim to be “religious” don’t pray, don’t believe in the God of the Bible, and don’t even attend a house of worship. Yet, they claim to be “religious.”
Religion without God is definitely not the answer or remedy to mankind’s sinfulness state and need. Pretending to be godly won’t make a person right with the Almighty. To such persons God responds: “Having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power. Avoid such people” (2 Timothy 3:5).
A true Christian believes “Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures” (1 Corinthians 15:3,4). Christians also believe in one God, existing in three Persons: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
God the Son—Jesus Christ—came into the world to save sinners. “God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16).
If you have never trusted Jesus Christ as your Savior, why not do so now? “Behold, now is the favorable time; behold, now is the day of salvation” (2 Corinthians 6:2).
Here’s how: “If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved” (Romans 10:9,10). May the Lord help you for His name’s sake. Amen.