While visiting my little cousin at Riley Children's Hospital in Indianapolis, I decided to visit the chapel. Or, maybe it would be more accurate to say that I decided to visit the mosque. Okay, there was a Bible there. But there was a Koran there as well. As well as a prayer rug. As well as a sign in a corner indicating the direction to the "holy city" of Mecca. As well as a letter from the chaplain's office explaining that the chapel is an "interfaith" chapel. "We welcome all religions," it read. "All religiions?" Where was the Jewish Talmud? There was none. Where was the Analects of Confucius? It was unaccounted for. What about the Book of Mormon? Or the Pearl of Great Price? You get the picture. This "interfaith" chapel was simply a mosque with a Bible in it. It's sad and sick, but it's true.
Perhaps the most disturbing thing about the whole ordeal was the attitude of the much-underqualified staff at the chaplain's office. This "ecumenical" attitude is gaining prominence in our culture, but is as wrong today as ever. By ecumenical, I mean this idea that all religions lead to heaven. However you perceive God is fine. God can be perceived any way you wish. Just as long as you believe in something, you'll be fine. That's what they say. But, what's wrong with this way of thinking? There's a lot wrong with it.
This Way of Thinking Works in No Area of Life
Let's say I was mowing your lawn, using your equipment. Let's say that, after mowing for a few hours, I decided to take a break. I go into your garage to rest a few minutes. I find a cup with something in it. It looks fairly clear, so I sincerely believe it's water. So, I pick up the cup, and begin to drink. Come to find out, it's gasoline. I should be fine, according to this ecumenical way of thinking, because I sincerely believed it was water. But sincerely believing something to be true doesn't make it true. This idea that "everyone is right" is just wrong. The fact is, you and I will stand before the God of the Bible, whether we like the idea or not. Jesus Christ, the only begotten Son of the Living God, who was none less than God manifested in the flesh, stated with boldness, clarity, and absolute truth, "I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me." Jesus stated clearly, "Ye must be born again." The Bible, the only source of absolute truth, says concerning the New Jerusalem, the heavenly city, "the nations of them which are saved shall walk in the light of it." John the Revelator saw a group of people around the throne. They were called "a great multitude that no man could number." Their robes were washed white in the blood of the Lamb. I am telling you, that, by the authority of God's unadulterated Word, those who are washed in the blood of Jesus Christ, the Son of the Living God are the only ones going to God's heaven. This idea that you can cling to any religion you want, and we'll all end up in the same place is a hoax. You are drinking gasoline, and believing it to be water won't change it!
The Ecumenical Way of Thinking Strives to be Non-Offensive
The ecumenical movement strives "not to offend anyone." I wouldn't give you a plug nickel for a religion that doesn't offend anyone. A religious leader that doesn't stir any opposition is worthless. He's too much of a wimp to stand for anything, and too much of a coward to stand against anything. Now, I'm not in the business of trying to offend people, but neither am I in the business of trying not to offend people. I am in the business of preaching the Holy Bible, God's holy Word. If you are not in line with the Bible, you are not all right. You are not on the right track. You are not on the straight and narrow way that leads to life, but you are rather on the wide road that leads to destruction.
Yes, any religion that presents the truth will be offensive. First, the world will be offended. When I say, "the world," I am referring to those who do not know Christ. Jesus said in John 3:19, 20 - "And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. For every one that doeth evil HATETH THE LIGHT, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved." When wicked people live in sin, they hide behind some sorry religion that condones it. Then, when the Bible, the light, the gospel, is preached, it shines light on what they are trying to hide. In the manner, wicked men and women in the world are offended. Secondly, the flesh is offended by the true religion of Jesus Christ. The message of Christ is simply this: "Take up thy cross and follow me." The cross that we must carry is the denial of self. One cannot even be saved until the stop trying to save themselves and completely rely on Christ to save them! From that point, every day, I must crucify my flesh, and do what Christ wants me to do. When my flesh wants something, I do not cater to it. Sometimes, my flesh has to do without so that the Spirit of God may be pleased. Thirdly, the devil is offended at the true, gospel message. The Bible says that the spirit of antichrist is working right now in our world. Notice what the beast (the devil's man) says in Revelation 13:15, 16 - " And he had power to give life unto the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak, and cause that as many as would not worship the image of the beast should be killed. And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads." Notice how the beast calls for ALL worship his image. Then, he calls for ALL to receive a mark. Notice the words "as many as" and "ALL." There's a spirit in these verses that I have heard in our world today, and it's the spirit of the devil himself. "Let's ALL come together." "Let's ALL worship together." Let me be clear - It is impossible for a TRUE CHRISTIAN to hold hands with any religion other than the true religion of Jesus Christ. Christ commands that all men everywhere REPENT (Acts 17:30), and trust Him alone for salvation (Acts 16:31). If I ever preach that you can trust in anything other than Jesus Christ and His shed blood to be saved, I AM NOT PREACHING TRUE CHRISTIAN DOCTRINE. I WILL THEN BE PREACHING THE DEVIL'S DOCTRINE. Ecumenical thinking was born in hell, and is certainly leading people there. If you preach solid, Bible Christianity, you will certainly offend every devil of hell. I intend to preach an offensive gospel. I hope that, if this offends you, it will offend you until you let Jesus Christ be Lord of your life, and be saved today!
The Ecumenical Movement is Hypocritical by Definition
The Ecumenicals are hypocrites by their very nature. They claim that they tolerate everything. They tolerate sick perversions; they tolerate every religion in the world; they tolerate every joker who claims to be a type of any kind of clergy. However, when I preach the Bible in its entirety, they hate it! Of course, I cannot speak for all of them, but I have run into this tolerant bunch. They are absolutely not tolerant toward anyone who preaches Jesus Christ as the only way to heaven. They hate anyone who preaches sexual perversion as sin, and marriage between a man and a woman. This is the "tolerant bunch" I'm talking about. They accept everything...except truth. Now if I stand up for every rotten thing under the sun, they will stand up for me to the death. But, if I declare that what God said is a sin, is still a sin, then they label me a judgmental bigot. However, the good news is this: Calling me a bigot does not intimidate me; nor does it lessen the truth. And, when they call me judgmental, they are MAKING A JUDGMENT! You have to be hypocritical to be ecumenical in your thinking.
The Bible Calls for Division
Yes, that's right. So many preach only the "unity" that the Bible preaches. Let me say here that the "unity" of the Bible is among "brethren." That means that those who are true born-again Christians should have unity between them. The Bible does not teach Christians to hold hands with every religious devil. As a matter of fact, the Bible calls for us to SEPARATE FROM THEM!
II Corinthians 6:14-18 - "Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in [them]; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean [thing]; and I will receive you, And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty."
There is very little explaining that needs to be done here! First, there is no mixing of light and darkness. If you do not know Jesus Christ personally, regardless of your religious affiliation, YOU ARE IN DARKNESS. I cannot worship with you, unless you come Christ's way, by the way of the cross. Of course, if you do not know Christ, you are welcome to attend my church. But we're not praying to Mary, Bhudda, Allah, or any other false god. We are worshipping the God of the Bible only - the only true God. Secondly, God said, "Come out from among them and be ye separate." That's right; separate. Not "united." SEPARATE. Then and only then, the Father says, "I will receive you, and will be a Father unto you." WE ARE NOT ALL GOD'S CHILDREN. IF YOU DO NOT KNOW JESUS CHRIST; IF YOU HAVE NOT BEEN WASHED IN THE BLOOD OF JESUS; IF YOU HAVE MADE HIM LORD OF YOUR LIFE; THEN YOU DO NOT BELONG TO GOD! The good news is this: you can ask the Lord Jesus Christ to save you today. Believe that He is Lord, and make Him Lord of your life. There is no acceptance with God outside of this. There is no road to heaven other than this way. You'll come this way, or you'll end up in a devil's hell. Be saved today!
Perhaps the most disturbing thing about the whole ordeal was the attitude of the much-underqualified staff at the chaplain's office. This "ecumenical" attitude is gaining prominence in our culture, but is as wrong today as ever. By ecumenical, I mean this idea that all religions lead to heaven. However you perceive God is fine. God can be perceived any way you wish. Just as long as you believe in something, you'll be fine. That's what they say. But, what's wrong with this way of thinking? There's a lot wrong with it.
This Way of Thinking Works in No Area of Life
Let's say I was mowing your lawn, using your equipment. Let's say that, after mowing for a few hours, I decided to take a break. I go into your garage to rest a few minutes. I find a cup with something in it. It looks fairly clear, so I sincerely believe it's water. So, I pick up the cup, and begin to drink. Come to find out, it's gasoline. I should be fine, according to this ecumenical way of thinking, because I sincerely believed it was water. But sincerely believing something to be true doesn't make it true. This idea that "everyone is right" is just wrong. The fact is, you and I will stand before the God of the Bible, whether we like the idea or not. Jesus Christ, the only begotten Son of the Living God, who was none less than God manifested in the flesh, stated with boldness, clarity, and absolute truth, "I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me." Jesus stated clearly, "Ye must be born again." The Bible, the only source of absolute truth, says concerning the New Jerusalem, the heavenly city, "the nations of them which are saved shall walk in the light of it." John the Revelator saw a group of people around the throne. They were called "a great multitude that no man could number." Their robes were washed white in the blood of the Lamb. I am telling you, that, by the authority of God's unadulterated Word, those who are washed in the blood of Jesus Christ, the Son of the Living God are the only ones going to God's heaven. This idea that you can cling to any religion you want, and we'll all end up in the same place is a hoax. You are drinking gasoline, and believing it to be water won't change it!
The Ecumenical Way of Thinking Strives to be Non-Offensive
The ecumenical movement strives "not to offend anyone." I wouldn't give you a plug nickel for a religion that doesn't offend anyone. A religious leader that doesn't stir any opposition is worthless. He's too much of a wimp to stand for anything, and too much of a coward to stand against anything. Now, I'm not in the business of trying to offend people, but neither am I in the business of trying not to offend people. I am in the business of preaching the Holy Bible, God's holy Word. If you are not in line with the Bible, you are not all right. You are not on the right track. You are not on the straight and narrow way that leads to life, but you are rather on the wide road that leads to destruction.
Yes, any religion that presents the truth will be offensive. First, the world will be offended. When I say, "the world," I am referring to those who do not know Christ. Jesus said in John 3:19, 20 - "And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. For every one that doeth evil HATETH THE LIGHT, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved." When wicked people live in sin, they hide behind some sorry religion that condones it. Then, when the Bible, the light, the gospel, is preached, it shines light on what they are trying to hide. In the manner, wicked men and women in the world are offended. Secondly, the flesh is offended by the true religion of Jesus Christ. The message of Christ is simply this: "Take up thy cross and follow me." The cross that we must carry is the denial of self. One cannot even be saved until the stop trying to save themselves and completely rely on Christ to save them! From that point, every day, I must crucify my flesh, and do what Christ wants me to do. When my flesh wants something, I do not cater to it. Sometimes, my flesh has to do without so that the Spirit of God may be pleased. Thirdly, the devil is offended at the true, gospel message. The Bible says that the spirit of antichrist is working right now in our world. Notice what the beast (the devil's man) says in Revelation 13:15, 16 - " And he had power to give life unto the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak, and cause that as many as would not worship the image of the beast should be killed. And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads." Notice how the beast calls for ALL worship his image. Then, he calls for ALL to receive a mark. Notice the words "as many as" and "ALL." There's a spirit in these verses that I have heard in our world today, and it's the spirit of the devil himself. "Let's ALL come together." "Let's ALL worship together." Let me be clear - It is impossible for a TRUE CHRISTIAN to hold hands with any religion other than the true religion of Jesus Christ. Christ commands that all men everywhere REPENT (Acts 17:30), and trust Him alone for salvation (Acts 16:31). If I ever preach that you can trust in anything other than Jesus Christ and His shed blood to be saved, I AM NOT PREACHING TRUE CHRISTIAN DOCTRINE. I WILL THEN BE PREACHING THE DEVIL'S DOCTRINE. Ecumenical thinking was born in hell, and is certainly leading people there. If you preach solid, Bible Christianity, you will certainly offend every devil of hell. I intend to preach an offensive gospel. I hope that, if this offends you, it will offend you until you let Jesus Christ be Lord of your life, and be saved today!
The Ecumenical Movement is Hypocritical by Definition
The Ecumenicals are hypocrites by their very nature. They claim that they tolerate everything. They tolerate sick perversions; they tolerate every religion in the world; they tolerate every joker who claims to be a type of any kind of clergy. However, when I preach the Bible in its entirety, they hate it! Of course, I cannot speak for all of them, but I have run into this tolerant bunch. They are absolutely not tolerant toward anyone who preaches Jesus Christ as the only way to heaven. They hate anyone who preaches sexual perversion as sin, and marriage between a man and a woman. This is the "tolerant bunch" I'm talking about. They accept everything...except truth. Now if I stand up for every rotten thing under the sun, they will stand up for me to the death. But, if I declare that what God said is a sin, is still a sin, then they label me a judgmental bigot. However, the good news is this: Calling me a bigot does not intimidate me; nor does it lessen the truth. And, when they call me judgmental, they are MAKING A JUDGMENT! You have to be hypocritical to be ecumenical in your thinking.
The Bible Calls for Division
Yes, that's right. So many preach only the "unity" that the Bible preaches. Let me say here that the "unity" of the Bible is among "brethren." That means that those who are true born-again Christians should have unity between them. The Bible does not teach Christians to hold hands with every religious devil. As a matter of fact, the Bible calls for us to SEPARATE FROM THEM!
II Corinthians 6:14-18 - "Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in [them]; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean [thing]; and I will receive you, And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty."
There is very little explaining that needs to be done here! First, there is no mixing of light and darkness. If you do not know Jesus Christ personally, regardless of your religious affiliation, YOU ARE IN DARKNESS. I cannot worship with you, unless you come Christ's way, by the way of the cross. Of course, if you do not know Christ, you are welcome to attend my church. But we're not praying to Mary, Bhudda, Allah, or any other false god. We are worshipping the God of the Bible only - the only true God. Secondly, God said, "Come out from among them and be ye separate." That's right; separate. Not "united." SEPARATE. Then and only then, the Father says, "I will receive you, and will be a Father unto you." WE ARE NOT ALL GOD'S CHILDREN. IF YOU DO NOT KNOW JESUS CHRIST; IF YOU HAVE NOT BEEN WASHED IN THE BLOOD OF JESUS; IF YOU HAVE MADE HIM LORD OF YOUR LIFE; THEN YOU DO NOT BELONG TO GOD! The good news is this: you can ask the Lord Jesus Christ to save you today. Believe that He is Lord, and make Him Lord of your life. There is no acceptance with God outside of this. There is no road to heaven other than this way. You'll come this way, or you'll end up in a devil's hell. Be saved today!
