The Search for Truth

 Are you searching? Life is full of frustration and uncertainty. You want to find meaning in your life, but there are so many questions without answers.

Atheism focuses on this life, the here and now, but you see increasing chaos in the world.

Many are gripped by panic. Can this polluted planet be saved?

Many look for the meaning of life in various religions.

Some search for a mysterious, magical world in Hinduism or New Age mysticism.

Others seek a resigned serenity in Buddhism.

Then there are people who want to find structure, order and justice in Islam because they feel overwhelmed by the diversity and chaos in this world.

Then we think of Jesus. Many have problems with Jesus.

Europeans are disappointed with the Christian religion. What they see in the churches often bears no resemblance to the life of Jesus of Nazareth.

And you know that God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power. Then Jesus went around doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him. Acts 10:38 NLT

We see traces of this love and supernatural power in charismatic circles. Unfortunately, there are also some Pentecostal churches in which the love and power of God is overshadowed by legalism and authoritarian leadership.

If we seek the true God, we must not be distracted by the human errors in all religions. If we want to find gold, we must not focus on the dust, but seek the treasure itself.

Some claim that all religions are valid paths to God. But none of the founders of the world's religions taught such a thing.

Buddhists do not believe in an all-powerful personal God. Buddhists are atheists or agnostics.

Mohammed taught that God is the creator and judge, but the God of the Muslims is not a father and has no children. He does not want to have children either.

Buddhists and Hindus believe that we always come back to earth after we die.

Jesus taught that everyone who believes in him and gives their life into God's loving hands will live forever and have a wonderful home in God's heaven.

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. Jn 3:16 NIV

Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. Jn 14:6 NIV

This is either true or it is not true. If the teachings of Jesus are true, then you can find your way out of the chaos.

If you come to the conclusion that the teachings of Jesus are true, you come to a challenge. Jesus wants to save you, not just teach you.

Jesus was never one to spread theological theories, like the ancient Greek philosophers or many academic theologians.

“Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. Mt 11:28 NASB95

Jesus. The Way to God

Post-modern tolerance demands that we view all religions on the same level. We should respect both Mohammed and Jesus because they founded great religions.

I was once at the main railway station in Frankfurt and spoke to Jehovah's Witnesses. A young idealist joined us and began to lecture us with great enthusiasm. Discussing the Bible was a waste of time. All major religions are paths to God.

I asked him a difficult question and he was somewhat taken aback.

‘If all religions are from the same God, why does no sacred text claim that all religions lead to the same goal? You don't find that in the Bible or the Koran. You won't find it in any old world religion.
This idea came more recently, from humanism, from the Enlightenment, from German Romanticism.

If Jesus is supposed to be on the same level as Mohammed, then we must completely disregard some of Jesus' astonishing statements.

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.

For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. Jn 3:16–17 NIV

According to the Bible, all people must recognise Jesus as God's only Son in order to be saved.  
 
Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. Jn 14:6 NIV

Jesus declares that God is the Eternal Father.

In Islam, Allah is the ruler God and judge but not a father. He has no children. This is said to contradict his nature.

‘Believe in Allah and his messenger (Muhammad), but say nothing of a trinity. There is only one God, far from him, that he has a son. Verily these are unbelievers who say: Allah is Christ, the son of Mary. Whoever joins someone to Allah, Allah will exclude him from Paradise, and his dwelling place will be Hellfire’ (Suras 4, 172; 5, 73f.).

Anyone who believes in Jesus as God's eternal son is rejected by Muhammad in the Qur'an and will suffer eternally in the flames of hell, according to Muhammad.

The human heart longs for a loving father who loves us unconditionally.

Jesus died to reconcile us with our Father, if only we believe and trust.

All atheists, Hindus, communists, Muslims or mystics who recognise Jesus as God's eternal, almighty, merciful Son and also want to repent will all receive eternal life, all of them.

Jesus told her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Anyone who believes in me will live, even after dying.
Everyone who lives in me and believes in me will never ever die. Do you believe this, Martha?” Jn 11:25–26 NLT

Finding God in the Darkness

Church was a blessing. I drove home with my wife, encouraged. On the way we did some shopping. In the supermarket I felt foggy and empty. It was a bit like the depression of my youth.

Why is that? We can often sense the depressed moods of people around us. God often allows this so that we can learn to resist the devil and pray for the suffering people around us.

When you feel depressed or sad, you can pray quietly straight away. Where does this depression come from dear God? How should I respond? How can I overcome this darkness? Not only the darkness in me, but also the darkness around me and in others around me?

Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” John 8:12 ESV

Every time you feel darkness, whether it is in your soul, or from the feelings of your fellow man, or from the presence of demons, or from the situation in the world, no matter where the darkness comes from, you may seek God's truth and God's presence.

Call to me and I will answer you, and will tell you great and hidden things that you have not known. Jeremiah 33:3 ESV

When you belong to Jesus, there is an invisible mobile phone in your spirit. You are always connected to Jesus. God is always waiting for your call.

This is the message which we have heard from Him and declare to you, that God is light and in Him is no darkness at all. 1 John 1:5 NKJV

The LORD is my light and my salvation; Whom shall I fear? The LORD is the strength of my life; Of whom shall I be afraid? Psalm 27:1 NKJV