Our Judeo-Christian religion began 4,000 years ago when Abraham was called out of confusion. See Genesis 11 and verse one of chapter 12.
The people were of one language and planning a city and a tower that would reach to heaven. God comes down and confuses their language , identifying Babel/Babylon as confusion. Genesis 11: 1-9, margin.
The people were physically confused by the language but spiritually confused thinking that they could build a tower, Babel, that would reach to heaven.
Search for the word Babylon on the internet. Originally it meant Gate of God. In the Bible it means a
CONFUSED GATE OF GOD !
Abraham was called out of this
CONFUSED WAY TO HEAVEN.
According to Revelation 18:1-4 our religion ends by God calling His people
OUT OF BAYLON,
that is confusion.
WHAT IS THE CONFUSION FROM WHICH BELIEVERS ARE CALLED ?
Good, sincere Christians have said that man must come to Jesus, having the faith to believe that He will save them, and repenting of their sins. The Bible teaches :
No man can come to me, except the Father which has sent me draw him ….. that no man can come unto me, except it were given unto him of my Father.
John 6:44,65 .
Faith and repentance are gifts of God. Note :
For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is a gift of God.
Ephesians 2:8.
Him hath God exalted with His right hand to be a Prince and a Savior, for to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins.
Acts 5:31.
See Romans 12:3; Matthew 16:17; Acts 11:18; 2Timothy 2:25. Faith and repentance are gifts of God.
However, the Bible does teach that ALL will be drawn to Jesus.
And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me.
John 12: 32.
Yes, all will be drawn to Jesus who is their Pardon but the Bible tells us that all will not be saved. Therefore man can resist the drawing to his pardon by the Holy Spirit which of course is the unpardonable sin . This is where man exercises his free will.
Another point of confusion is that we are saved by the new birth, a change in our nature, which is a results, a by product, a fruit of salvation which is IN Jesus Christ and not IN man.
The Apostle Paul tells us in 1Corinthians 15: 1-4, that the gospel is about how Christ died for our sins, was buried and rose again the third day.
THERE IS NOT ONE WORD IN THERE ABOUT MAN AND HIS EXPERIENCE.
Being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is IN Christ Jesus.
Romans 3:24.
OUR JUSTIFICATION IS IN HIM !
OUR REDEMTION IS IN HIM !
OUR SALVATION IS IN HIM !
Unfortunately, much of the preaching today, especially in the mega churches, is about man and his personal experience, his change of life, and the great existence and joy he is having today.
THE GOSPEL IS ABOUT CHRIST !
LIFT HIM UP IN ALL HIS GLORY !
See article 2 at
www.christianitysconfusion.com .
Jack Walker
walkerjack821@gmail.com 615-731-8795