MAY 31, 2025 ~ FROM A PASTOR'S HEART

MAY 31 DEVOTIONAL BIBLE READING: ACTS 17:16-32

Humans are innately religious. We have no problem creating religious systems that we use to try to reach out to God. The problem with all these systems is they fall short of what they promise, for mankind can never reach God, no matter how hard we try. Jesus did not come to this world to establish another religious system. Jesus, who is eternal God, came to this earth to reach fallen mankind. That is the difference between biblical Christianity and every other religious system. The one is God reaching out to mankind, while the other is mankind attempting to reach God. Sadly, many professing Christians practice a manmade religion rather than having a genuine relationship with God established by the Lord Jesus Christ. There is a counterfeit Christianity that is based on the continued work of man, rather than the finished work of Jesus Christ. Any expression of the Christian faith based on the works of man is a false Christian faith.

Jesus, in His grace and mercy, came and did for us what we could never do for ourselves. It is impossible for anyone to know God without Jesus. 1 John 2:23 says, "No one who denies the Son has the Father; whoever acknowledges the Son has the Father also." There is no coming to God except by Jesus Christ (John 14:6). Mankind wants to come to God the way they chose, but the only way to come to God is the way He says. There are not many ways to God; there is only one way and that’s through Jesus. We know Jesus because the Holy Spirit in His marvelous work has revealed Him to us. We know Jesus because the holy Bible is God's great love letter telling us about Him. Religion, whatever the flavor, will always leave us empty and alone. Only Jesus satisfies, only Jesus makes us complete and only Jesus privileges us to become the very children of God.

Please share your thoughts.