In Search of Truth Pt. 2
... the path of the righteous is like the light of dawn, That shines brighter and brighter until the full day. Proverbs 4:18 NASB
This is why the rich and powerful are often the most miserable of all men.--They ALREADY possess everything that most people think can satisfy and make them happy. They've already attained all of the material things their hearts could desire, and to their sorrow they discover that things cannot satisfy or fulfil their empty hearts and starving souls!--Thus they no longer even have HOPE of happiness in riches! The famous English poet, Lord Byron, realized this and lamented, "I have drunk every cup of pleasure, and I have quaffed every cup of fame, and yet alas, I die of THIRST!"
Although many people today take little time to ponder the prospect of a Creator, of a God, when a personal crisis or tragedy suddenly strikes--an unexpected accident or critical illness, a death in the family, a great personal loss of any kind--to whom do they turn for help? A fat bank account--regardless of the wealth it holds--can do nothing to bring back a loved one who has passed through death's door. Houses, lands and a stockpile of luxury items can do nothing to rekindle a love that has grown cold or heal a heart that's been broken. It is during such times of crisis that people frequently realise that the TRUE values of life are far more important than mere material wealth.
AREN'T ALL RELIGIONS BASICALLY THE SAME?--ARE THEY NOT ALL PATHS THAT EVENTUALLY REACH THE SAME SUMMIT?
Although Man's basic needs and heart's desires are the same, the World's great religions prescribe many different and often contradictory means of meeting those needs. A brief look at some of the most common beliefs and practices makes this evident:
Devout believers of many faiths try to fulfil their spiritual needs by regularly attending places of worship--shrines, temples, mosques, cathedrals etc.--where prayers are made, incense is offered and a multitude of different traditions, ceremonies and rituals are observed.
Some dedicated souls are willing to renounce all worldly pleasures and possessions in order to devote themselves wholly to various religious disciplines. Rather than honouring or looking to icons, idols and representations of their god or gods, many look for truth and reality WITHIN themselves, seeking enlightenment by intense concentration, contemplation and meditation.
Some seekers of Truth worship ONE god, while others worship hundreds or even THOUSANDS of gods. Some of the World's major religions began simply as moral or ethical philosophies, and their founders never intended that ANY deity or god should be worshipped.--Yet today these very founders themselves are venerated as if THEY themselves were a god!
For many believers, their highest hope and aspiration is that they will survive after death as an individual personality in a happy and heavenly afterlife. Others scorn the idea of continuing to live on as an individual, but rather look forward to the OBLITERATION of their individual self, so that they may become one with the Ultimate Reality of the Universe.
Some believe that after they die they will return to live other lives on Earth, over and over again, that their present life is just one of MANY births and rebirths that will continue INDEFINITELY until full enlightenment or salvation is attained. Others believe that Man lives only ONE life on Earth, and therefore has only one chance to live properly and to somehow secure a happy afterlife.
With so many different--and often contradictory--beliefs to choose from, the seeker of Truth can understandably become quite muddled and confused.--Particularly since almost all of the World's major faiths believe and claim that THEIR approach is THE one true path to enlightenment, bliss, salvation or Heaven!
DeepTruths TFI
Comments (5)
Thank you dear Amarsrcc India - yes, "According to your faith be it unto you." (Matthew 9:27-29 & Matthew 7:14 KJV) Best of Love!
“I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, “who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.”
Amen, Wonderful dear XuanMai; yes, the Lord blesses the diligent seekers: 2 Peter 1:10 - "Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall." God bless and make you a continual blessing to all! Love you!!
"ABIDE IN ME, AND I IN YOU" (JN.15:4).
In the famous beautiful 15th Chapter of John Jesus says, "I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in Me, and I in Him, the same bringeth forth much fruit, for without Me ye can do nothing! If a man abide not in Me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned!" (Jn.15:5,6). If ever you, as a branch don't abide in the Vine, don't abide in Christ, don't abide in His love, His Word, His service, then you will become unfruitful and withered and you will be cast forth as a branch!--Not lost, not unsaved, but cast aside as being no longer useful.
Without the flow of the Spirit there is no life. You must be firmly implanted in the Vine where you're receiving the juice and the sap and the nourishment that you need directly from the Lord Himself.--And a lot of how you grow is up to you, by how much nourishment you receive! So don't cut yourself off from the Vine!
He said, "Without Me ye can do nothing." But if you are dwelling in the Vine, as one of the branches, then you can produce the beautiful leaves and the beautiful fruit that you need to produce so that He may be glorified and have much fruit!