THE UNITY OF THE FAITH Apostle Victor Ikpatt
Introduction ________________________________________________________________________
For the most part, religion has been, and continues to be the number one problem that is tearing the fabric of the society all over the world. When you see what is wrong with the world's religions, you would have pinpointed the cause of all the world evils. What is religion? It is defined as the worship of, and service to God or the supernatural. Religion is man's relationship with his Creator; but some religions have perverted that definition. They worship not the God who created them, but the gods which they have created. Religion involves one's conduct, one's principles, one's way of life, and one's concept of the hereafter.
Why in general are those in Italy, France, and Spain Catholics; those in China and Thailand Buddhist; those in India Hindus; those in Israel Judaism; those in the Arab world mainly Islamic; and those in Southern Nigeria mainly Christians, while their Northern brothers are mainly Moslems? Primarily, of course, because they and those around them grew up being taught, and automatically accepting those faiths. These faiths are handed down from father to son, family to family, friend to friend, and from one generation to another. To expect any of them to discover any truth that was hidden from them, and that is contrary to the teachings of their childhood and adulthood that engulfed them, would seem to be expecting the impossible.
One of the greatest problems facing the world today, and the advancement of the Gospel truths is that of re-educating the supposedly educated religious minds. These minds have become so perverted with false doctrines handed down to them that they will be unable to accept the truth until they first unlearn the error that has been strongly embedded in their minds.
The truth is that it is at least ten times more difficult to unlearn an error that is firmly imbedded in the mind, than it is to start from the scratch to learn new truth. A deceived person does not know that he is deceived until at the end of the deal, or he would not be deceived. He is as sincere as he can be; but he is sincerely wrong. No wonder the Bible says that our minds need transformation and renewal. Yes, God wants all of us to undergo a transformation, a renewal, or a change of mind.
The major reason for the religious problems that we have today among nations is that most people carelessly accept what they are taught from childhood. And after they come into maturity, they continue to accept that which they have repeatedly heard, read, or have been taught. They continue to go along with their family members and peers without questioning the truthfulness of these doctrines that they have been taught. Acts 17:10-11 tells us that the Christians who were in the city of Berea "were more noble than those (Christians who were) in Thessalonica, in that they received the Word (of God) with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily (to proof) whether those things (that they have been taught) were so."
Most people do not even realize that they have carelessly assumed what they believe without any question or sound Scriptural proof. Yet, they will defend their convictions vigorously and emotionally with others who try to open the eyes of their understanding to show them the real truth.
Thus, it has become human nature for people to flow with the stream, or to go along with the crowd by believing and performing like their peers and family members around them and their community. Any family member or peer that discovers the truth and tries to show the rest becomes an instant outcast because he has attempted to deviate from what they have been made to believe.
Furthermore, most people stubbornly refuse to believe what they are unwilling to believe. Second Peter 3:5 says that these kinds of people "are willingly ignorant" of God's ways and plan. This means that they willingly reject the truth for fear of what men or their family members may do to them. The Scripture says in Acts 10:34-35: "Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons: But in every nation he that feareth Him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with Him." Why then do some people fear and respect persons in matters of religious truth, instead of fearing God and following the commandment of God?
Notice the Lord's warning in Matthew 24 verses 4, 5, and 11 where Jesus said: "Take heed that no man deceive you. For many shall come in My name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many... And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many." Jesus did not say that only a few people will be deceived, but many. To be deceived is to be led away from the truth, and made to believe a lie. A lie, no matter how it is well packaged and presented, and no matter how long it has been practiced, remains a lie. It is nothing more than a wolf in sheep's clothing.
The big question now is: Could you be deceived? Are you prepared to consider the possibility that you may have been deceived? Are you really willing to change if proven to be in error in your practices and beliefs?
As you read this book, I urge you to keep an open mind so that you may discover the truth. This book is about the unity of THE FAITH that was prophesied by many prophets of God since the world began. Speaking about the unity of all religions in these last days, Ephesians 4:13 says: "Till we ALL come in the UNITY OF THE FAITH, and of the KNOWLEDGE of the Son of God unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ."
The word TILL means UNTIL. Therefore, this new Millennium will be the period that the members of the different religions will come together in the unity of THE FAITH, and of the KNOWLEDGE of the Son of God, Jesus Christ, unto a perfect man, and unto the measure of the fullness of the stature of Christ.
It is Allah's will to bring us together in the Unity of THE FAITH in these last Days; irrespective of the DIVISIONS created by men today through selfish envy among these different religions.
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