The Truth That Leads to Eternal Life - Why It is Wise to Examine Your Religion - Continue

 Probably you find yourself readily agreeing with the fact that much religion is not approved by God. No doubt there are many things done in the name of religion that you do not approve. For example, if you look around in the churches and observe persons who live immoral lives but who make a pretense at being righteous, you know that something is wrong. (2 Timothy 3:4, 5) And when you read in the newspaper that some clergymen are publicly approving of sex relations between unmarried persons and that they are saying that homosexuality is all right under certain conditions, you are well aware that this is not what God says. You may remember that God destroyed the ancient cities of Sodom and Gomorrah. And why? Because they practiced such things! So you know that God is going to approve of a religion that tells people it is alright to act like that. -JUDE 7.

However, you have no doubt heard people say: "
It doesn't matter what you believe, as long as you lead a clean moral life and deal kindly with your neighbors."  But is that all there is to worshiping God in an acceptable way? These things are necessary, but God requires more. Doctrines are also involved. The Bible informs us that "the true worshipers will worship the Father with spirit and truth." (John 4:23) If our worship is to be acceptable to God, it must be firmly rooted in God's Word of truth. Jesus reproved those persons who claimed to serve God but who relied heavily on the tradition of men in preference to God's Word. He applied to them God's own Words from Isaiah 29:13, saying: "It is in vain that they keep worshiping me, because they teach commands of men as doctrines. (Matthew15:9) Since we do not want our worship to be in vain, it is important for each one of us to examine his religion. 

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