Wrong Religion To Right Path

As an eagle has its own nest and place to go for safety and rest, most of us humans do as well. But a peacefulness in the home is only obtained by God, Jesus, and The Holy Spirit. I knew by studying that something was not right. The more I read and questioned what we were taught vs. what His Word said, I knew I was not in a safe place.

Where was I to go? There were too many wrongs to His right. I already explained a few but the list goes on. The celebration of the mass was so misconstrued. Some religions forbid eating at least an hour before the Eucharist but guess what God says: Anyone who is hungry should eat something at home, so that when you meet together it may not result in judgement (1Corinthians 11:17-34). He told them to eat before they celebrate communion yet man takes it upon themselves to say, “don’t eat before you come so that you are hungry for the Lord.” Hunger for the Lord is in Spirit!

Going on to the next, when you looked toward the front to listen to the priest, there were so many obstructions in the way. The biggest were all the statues. There were no statues allowed in Jesus’s time. He had angel-like figures on The Arc and where He allowed, but statues were considered to be idols.

I can’t tell you how many times God gave instruction on idols and how much He stressed that He hated them. In my days, I saw some going to the statues and praying to them. God was specific in worshipping Him not concrete or anything made in the image of man.

In Exodus 20:4-6, Deuteronomy 4:23-24, Deuteronomy 4:16-18, Leviticus 26:1, Isaiah 42:8, and again in Ephesians 5:5 He is specific on how much He hates idols. In many old days, some statues were made hollow and officials would speak from inside causing people to fear them so they’d leave money, food, and possessions. Yet, these statues, which are idols, are allowed in these church buildings. Why?

When we sinned, we were told to go to the priest and confess our sins. These priests absolved you of your sin and sent you on your way to pray the Hail Mary or another repetitious prayers. God, again, said no one can get to His Father except through Him. Priests have no say in sin and cannot absolve you. According to Hebrews, there is only One Mediator to God and that is Jesus Christ alone!

Before I go further, I want to explain why I say these prayers are wrong. God said they were wrong and I believe Him. Look up the verses of Matthew 6:7. He specifically says that empty and repetitive prayers should be avoided! Why are they encouraged when He discourages them?

Look at the Old Testament. The high priests were set in place to go to God for His forgiveness for the people’s sins not the priest forgiving a person. God forgave. That part of the Old covenant did not work. He said in Hebrews 8 that He came and a New Covenant was established. He said, “there is only ONE Mediator” and that is Jesus Christ. The Old ways were done away with and He was the New establishment. The Old ways will lead to the New if you seek it!

Now mind you, several shoved the verse about going to each other and confessing your sins as an excuse for the priest involvement and forgiveness. This verse was not intended for that at all. This verse is used when we wrong another and we are told to go and confess, or say you are sorry, and make amends. Too much reading into a verse and adding to it is wrong.

God is specific in the 1st chapter of Galatians and in the very last verses in the last chapter of Revelation that those who add to or take away from His word are eternally condemned. Ok, so here is a biggie: Baptism. I knew I was baptized as a baby. In my past religion that I taught, this was a part of the “Sacraments.”

Sacraments are important steps in some religions that are considered to be steps in following God’s way. They are steps that actually began in the 13th Century and were considered to be sacred steps you had to follow. There were 7 Sacraments in the Catholic Church and they are Baptism, Confirmation, Eucharist, Reconciliation, Anointing of the sick, Holy Orders, and Marriage.

Think about this – they began around the 13th Century. If God said to have Sacraments, wouldn’t it have been listed as steps He wanted us to take in His Word? No, not the steps man created, but only His steps. You see, in the 13th Century, there were plagues that were killing people and babies. People were concerned that if the babies died, they would not go to Heaven because they had not been Baptized. Keep in mind that God said in His Gospels that children are innocent. He said, “You become like these little children who are of Heaven.”

In God’s word, all who heard and believed were Baptized for the forgiveness of their sins. Now, with many babies dying, parents cried out and a few who took it upon themselves changed it up. They decided to baptize babies and then later in life make them go through what was established as Confirmation.

Confirming meant that one who was baptized as a baby had grown to the responsible age that God intended and they could accept Jesus. Good concept right? No! He was specific when He said those who add or subtract were eternally condemned. This change for pacification was not God’s way at all. Man made that change.

God’s instructions meant for Baptism was a change of heart and sinful ways done with. When you make teens go through Confirmation Class at a certain age, they are just following rules not accepting God into their hearts! Who does that all at the same time anyway? I mean honestly! Are there a set of so many teens who really accept Him and change their lives as Juniors or Seniors in High School? Nah! Most teens don’t grow up until after their teen years. Some never grow up! Baptism is a change of heart and a change of living sinfully to accept Christ and live righteously. It is putting away old self and being forgiven by our Lord!