I recently saw a video on u-tube. In it, Oprah Winfrey argues the popular, new age, pantheistic, universalistic worldview. She insists that ...
“There are many paths to what you call God. Her path might be something else, and when she gets there she might call it the light. But her loving and her kindness and her generosity … if it brings her to the same point that it brings you, it doesn’t matter that she called it God along the way … what about Jesus? … there couldn’t possibly be one way … (what if) you live in some remote part of the earth and you never heard the name of Jesus, you cannot get to heaven, you think? Does God care about your heart - or does God care if you call his son Jesus?”
It was not long ago I embraced this deception. I "followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air." (Ephesians 2:1-2) I am no longer fooled by the one "who leads the whole world astray" (Revelation 12:9) and I "do not conform to the pattern of this world ..." (Romans 12:2) "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways," declares the Lord. (Isaiah 55:8)
God does care if you call his son Jesus! "For God so loved the world that He gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life." (John 3:16)
I am forever grateful to God for healing my ignorance and unbelief. As Billy Graham said, “I’ve given my life not to a dead Christ, but to a living Christ. I have reason for existence. I know where I’ve come from. I know why I’m here. I know where I’m going ... ” Jesus is knocking at the door of your heart. Open the door and let Him in! (Revelation 3:20)
“If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved.” (Romans 10:9-10) (Jesus said) “I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved ... The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” (John 10:9-10)
"A false witness will not go unpunished, and whoever pours out lies will not go free. (Proverbs 19:5) Jesus said, "If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." (John 8:31-32)
“There is a way that appears to be right, but in the end it leads to death.”
(Proverbs 16:25)
"For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus."
(1 Timothy 2:5)
“Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.” (Acts 4:12)
"But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." (Romans 5:8)
"Who is the liar? It is whoever denies that Jesus is the Christ.
Such a person is the antichrist—denying the Father and the Son."
(1 John 2:22)
"The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance."
(2 Peter 3:9)
Jesus Christ did not say, "Go into all the world and tell the world that it is quite right."
- C.S. Lewis
"Unless we examine what we believe and why we believe it, we can easily be deceived and not know it."
- Pamela Christian
“If you wish to know God, you must know His Word. If you wish to perceive His power, you must see how He works by His Word. If you wish to know His purpose before it comes to pass, you can only discover it by His Word.”
- C.H. Spurgeon