Q:
Neither my husband nor I grew up in religious homes, but recently a couple came to our door to talk with us about their faith. They were friendly and the literature they left got us to thinking, but how do we know if they're right?
A:
Elsewhere in your letter, you mention the name of their group, and while I don’t refer to religious organizations or churches by name in this column, I must warn you that its teachings differ from historic Christianity in several important ways.
One reason is because its beliefs aren’t based solely on the Bible, but on other books it claims are just as true as the Bible. However, they contradict the Bible at important points, and unfortunately, this leads to confusion and misunderstanding.
For example, the Bible (unlike these other books) makes it clear that Jesus was the unique Son of God—fully God and fully man—sent from heaven to save us from our sins. He was without sin, but on the cross all our sins were placed on Him, and He became the final and complete sacrifice for our sins. Because of Him we can be saved, not by our good works (as this group claims) but solely through faith in Christ. The Bible says, “This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him” (1 John 4:9).
Don’t turn away from the spiritual hunger God has given you. Instead, by a simple prayer of faith ask Jesus to come into your lives, and He will. It’s the most important decision you’ll ever make. Then ask God to help you find a church where Christ is preached and you can grow in your faith.