MY RELIGIOUS PHILSOPHY

Christians today are part of the TV generation. They want sermons that entertain and churches that make them feel good. The result - churches and ministers are not challenged to do their jobs in nurturing and maturing Christians.
As ministers, we find ourselves looking at the bottom line. We are all about numbers. The number of people we can get in the door of the church or the number of baptisms we perform. We have lost sight of our duty to the believer to the point that most are virtually ignorant of God's word. When you ask a Christian why they believe, they often reply with a quote from their preacher.
They do not truly know why they believe in Christ or if they believe in predestination or understand the security of the believer. Most can only quote a few biblical passages or clichés they heard on TV. I have heard it said "knowledge can confuse the truth for the believer". I say, "If Gods truth is real then knowledge can only straighten it."

Every one who is of the truth hears my voice. JOHN 18:37

If the Lord is God when you are 12 and just saved, then he should be God when you are 35 and an entrepreneur. I challenge the individual believer to learn the book we say is the truth of God, learn more about how to read it in its context and discover what it says about issues you believe in. The word of God will not weaken you, but it will strengthen your knowledge and witnessing prowess. I would offer a challenge to preachers around the world to give Christians the opportunity to discuss what they have learned. This will strengthen the believer and in the days where non-Christians know more about our word than we do. An example of the Christian search for entertainment rather than truth, is the number of denominations and cults that have come into existence.
Non-Christians are redefining the Bible to make it convenient for people to follow them. In the wrong hands, the word of the Lord can be used as an evil weapon against uneducated Christian. The 21st century Christian has to be a smarter Christian.

Sanctify them in the truth; thy word is truth. JOHN 17:17

Another danger is that devout Christians can easily fall into idolatry. What I mean is, believers may tend to look at their pastor, priest, professors or even peers as an example of God. When this happens - we all fall short of the glory of God. The Christian does not make the message, but the message makes the Christian.
Christians - if you have a shallow understanding of the message then your walk with Christ will be shallow. The only way to truth is with the knowledge of the word of God. It can be found in the Bible, in books to help your understanding, in Ministers to instruct you, music to inspire you and churches to guide you.
Challenge your church to encourage your faith and not to let you be just a number. They owe you that. I would pray that when you get to heaven and Jesus asks why you believe. Your answer will come from the heart and it will be based on truth and knowledge.

And the Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him,
the spirit of wisdom and understanding,
the Spirit of councel and might,
the spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord. ISAIAH 11:2