It Is Where We Put Our Faith

"Whoever believes and is baptised will be saved; whoever does not believe will be condemned." (Mark 16. 16:)

You see it is not a matter of whether we as individuals have faith or not. That is a forgone conclusion, our inherent need for that leads to faith. It is a matter of whom we put our faith in. Some place theirs in God and Jesus. Many others do not. It all comes down to the choices we make. We all know that no one can force us to believe in anything. We choose to watch the weather forecast, we choose to believe it or not. No body forces us to do this.

Yes, it is true that in the past, some have attempted to force others into their belief, just as some do today. But, that is not how God operates, this is not the way that God works. He does not want a lot of mindless drones of blind faith. He simply, and clearly says to us, "I am. Here is what I have done. Here are the consequences of your individual actions in eternity,and here are the consequences of belief and trust in Me. Now you decide."

What He most desires is that the individual would responsibly and openly examine all of the facts known, from science, from history, from the Bible and personal experience. And upon those, unbiasedly examined, unreservedly examined, and without prejudice make a sensible and honest conclusion.

Because it is only in this way that any person can truely see and truely understand the great facts and truths of life, the world and eternity. I know this, from my own personal experience. If I had allowed all the prejudices and mistrusts to stay in the way of my thought and trying to understand, if I had allowed all of the historical wrongs perpetrated in the name of God to stay in the way, I would not know as I now do. Nor would I be the kinder, more trusting and caring person that I now am. However I was determined to find out all that I could, and I was determined to know what the truth was. I was not going to be stopped. Not by anyone. I would know for myself. What I did not understand was just how powerful that personal experience is. But then, how could I, when I had never even seriously considered the possibility one way or the other.

You Shall Know the Truth

It is possible for any individual to know the truth. This is not some pipe dream or mass dillusional exercise in blind faith. This is a reality experience, to know that God actually and really does exist. To know that when Jesus said, "You shall know the truth, and the truth shall set you free." That he was not referring to some mystical, hypothetical theory of a diety. But was actually meaning , "You shall know that God Is, and I Am, and this knowledge shall set you Free."

Before closing I would like you to remember to read and study the Bible for yourself. Do not go out there and tell everyone that this is what Malcolm said. Find out for yourself, what God has said. What Jesus has to say, and tell others of your experience. It just is not good enough for any of us to say, "but, Brother Y says this." and "Pastor B says that." Find out for yourself what God has to say to you.

I am Not saying do not listen to your pastor, minister, and brothers and sisters in Christ. I am saying, find the knowledge and the understanding for yourself. Let the Holy Spirit show you from personal experience. Then the knowledge and understanding you attain will be based upon God's revelation. And that is the unshakable knowledge, that is the immovable foundation upon which to build your life.

And as you study and read for yourself, do so from two or three different translations of the Bible, and make sure on of those is the "Authorized or King James Version". If possible get a good concordence to help you find all the passages you can about any subject or theme.