The
Bible’s Viewpoint
“I FIND it literally incredible that the God
of the whole universe has chosen to be known by one religious tradition,”
stated author Marcus Borg. Nobel Peace Prize winner Desmond Tutu said: “No
religion can claim to have the whole truth about the mystery” of faith. A
popular Hindu view is “Jotto moth, totto poth,” which means when loosely
translated that all religions are but different roads leading to the same goal.
Buddhists also share this viewpoint. Indeed, millions of people believe that
all religions are different roads leading to God.
Historian Geoffrey Parrinder stated: “It is
sometimes said that all religions have the same goal, or are equal ways to the
truth, or even that all teach the same doctrines.” The teachings, rituals, and
deities of religions are indeed similar. Most religions speak about love and
teach that murder, stealing, and lying are wrong. In most religious groups,
some put forth sincere efforts to help others. So, then, if one is sincere in
his beliefs and tries to live a good life, does it matter what religion he
belongs to? Or are all religions just different roads leading to God?
Sincerity Alone—Is It
Enough?
Consider the case of the first-century Jewish
man named Saul, who became the Christian apostle known as Paul. He was a very
zealous adherent of Judaism, and this led him to try to stamp out the worship
of the followers of Christ, which worship he felt was improper. (Acts 8:1-3;
9:1, 2) But through God’s mercy Saul came to realize that very religious
people like himself might have a zeal for God, and yet, because of not having
all the facts, they might be wrong. (Romans 10:2) When Saul learned more about
God’s will and dealings, he changed and began to worship with the very ones he
had been persecuting—the followers of Jesus Christ.—1 Timothy 1:12-16.
Does the Bible say that there are hundreds of
faiths to choose from and that whichever one we select will be all right with
God? The apostle Paul received instructions from the resurrected Jesus Christ
that said quite the contrary. Jesus sent him to people of the nations “to open
their eyes, to turn them from darkness to light and from the authority of Satan
to God.” (Acts 26:17, 18) Clearly, our choice of religion does matter. Many of
the people to whom Paul was sent already had a religion. But they were in “darkness.”
Indeed, if all religions were simply different roads leading to life
everlasting and God’s favor, there would have been no need for Jesus to train
his followers for the disciple-making work that he commissioned them to do.—Matthew
28:19, 20.
In his famous Sermon on the Mount, Jesus
said: “Go in through the narrow gate; because broad and spacious is the road
leading off into destruction, and many are the ones going in through it;
whereas narrow is the gate and cramped the road leading off into life, and few
are the ones finding it.” (Matthew 7:13, 14) The Bible explicitly states that
there is “one faith.” (Ephesians 4:5) Clearly, many who are on the “broad” road
have a religion. But they do not have the “one faith.” Since there is only one
true form of worship, those who desire to find that true faith will have to
seek it out.
Search for the True
God
From the very beginning of man’s history, God
has told humans what he wants them to do. (Genesis 1:28; 2:15-17; 4:3-5) Today
his requirements are clearly explained in the Bible. This makes it possible for
us to distinguish between acceptable worship and unacceptable worship. (Matthew
15:3-9) Some people have inherited their religion, while others just go along
with the majority in the community. For many, religion is simply a matter of
when and where they were born. However, should you leave your choice of
religion to chance or let others make this decision for you?
Your choice of religion should be an informed
one based on a careful examination of the Scriptures. In the first century,
certain educated people did more than simply accept the apostle Paul’s words at
face value. They ‘carefully examined the Scriptures daily as to whether these
things were so.’ (Acts 17:11; 1 John 4:1) Why not do the same yourself?
The Bible describes the God of the universe
as looking for people to worship him with truth. As recorded at John 4:23, 24,
Jesus explained: “Nevertheless, the hour is coming, and it is now, when the
true worshipers will worship the Father with spirit and truth, for, indeed, the
Father is looking for suchlike ones to worship him. God is a Spirit, and those
worshiping him must worship with spirit and truth.” Only “worship that is clean
and undefiled from the standpoint of our God and Father” is acceptable to him.
(James 1:27) God has blessed the search of millions to find the narrow road
that leads to life. He will not give eternal life to the indifferent but rather
to those who put forth a real effort to find the narrow way he has set out and
then follow it.—Malachi 3:18.
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