Church
CAPA Corner: Religions all have this in common – They are humans’ search for God
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Apostle Paul captures and condenses this in a grand letter we know as Romans in the Bible. At the core of the letter, Paul quotes the Old Testament revelation that what God is doing is so out of reach of humanity that He brings it to us! “But the righteousness that is by faith says: "Do not say in your heart, 'Who will ascend into heaven?'" (that is, to bring Christ down) "or 'Who will descend into the deep?'" (that is, to bring Christ up from the dead).” (Rom 10:6-7 NIV)
This searching up and down for God was once unknown. Adam and Eve never asked who shall go up or to where shall we go down because God came every evening to fellowship with them.
But with the first sin, the first choosing of things and ways other than the things and ways of God, separation came between God and people. We became alienated from God; no longer on speaking terms, lost from Him entirely. The evenings became empty, long, and dark with more than the absence of the sun.
And people began to look for something or someone. Throughout the history of humanity, prophets of every sort have called out, “Follow me, and I will show you the way to God.” Gurus have attempted to console us proclaiming any number of ways can be followed. Religions have been birthed with the common quest to somehow ascend to God.
But the Bible says something altogether different. It says that God came to us! Jesus Christ came to us; the God-Man! This is the ultimate game changer. The gap between people and God is bridged making it possible for us to have a relationship with God – not form a religion. No longer will the blind lead the blind. No longer will the foolish teach the fools. No longer will the lost blaze the path. God has stepped in. And today, instead of trusting with religion – trust in Jesus Christ with a relationship.
Jeff Stanfill, Covenant Community Church
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