HOW TO IDENTIFY THE TRUE RELIGION

How can 'the road to life' be found?  Jesus said that the true religion would be evident in the  lives of the people who practice it."  "By their fruits you will recognize them," he said.  "Every good tree produces fine fruit." (Matthew 7:16, 17) In other words, those who practice the true religion would be recognized by their beliefs and their conduct. Although they are not perfect and they make mistakes, true worshipers as a group seek to do God's will. Let us consider six features that identify those who practice true religion. 

God's servants base their teachings on the Bible.  The Bible itself says:v "All Scripture is inspired of God and beneficial for teaching, for reproving, for setting things straight, for disciplining in righteousness, that the man  [or woman]  of God maybe fully competent, completely equipped for every good work." (2 Timothy 3;16, 17)  To his fellow Christians, the apostle Paul wrote:  "When you received God's Word, which you heard from us, you accepted it, not as the word of men, but as it truthfully is,m as the word of God."  (1 Thessalonians 2;13)  Hence, beliefs and practices of the true religion are not based on human views or tradition.  They originate  in God's inspired Word, the Bible.

Jesus Christ set the proper example  by basing his teachings on God's Word. In prayer to his heavenly  Father, he said:  "Your  word is truth." (John 17:17)  Jesus believed the Word of God, and everything he taught harmonized with the Scriptures.  Jesus often said:  "It is written."  (Matthew 4;4, 7, 10) Then Jesus would quote a scripture.  Similarly, God's people today do not teach their own ideas.  They believe that the Bible is God's Word, and they base their teachings firmly on what it says. 

Next time: Continue with: HOW TO IDENTIFY THE TRUE RELIGION 

From the Book: What Does the Bible Really Teach? 2005 and 2006