Faith Vs. Sincerity

"Let it be known to you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth ... this man stands here before you whole ... Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved." - Acts 4:10, 12 (NKJV). 


One of my favorite illustrations about "misguided faith" comes from an
advertising piece put out by a business firm. On it was glued a small seed with
the claim that if you have as much faith in our business as you do in this
mustard seed, you will be guaranteed great results.


Some months later a customer wrote back to the company saying, "You will be
interested to know that I planted your mustard seed and it is now grown into a
healthy plant bearing great tomatoes!"


I wonder how many times I've been hoodwinked by a less than honest sales person or manipulated by false advertising. Guess most of us have been at one time or another.


Of much greater significance is how many of us are deceived by the promoters of
false religions.


Too many believe if they live a good life that will get them into heaven.
Others, like I used to believe, believe that if they do enough good things to
outnumber the bad things they've done, that will get them into God's heaven.
Others believe that as all roads lead to Rome so all religions lead to God. Not
so. Such beliefs, no matter how sincere, couldn't be farther from the truth.


The religious Pharisees of Christ's day were zealots in their sincerity but were wrong—totally wrong—in that they missed the very Messiah (Savior) for whom they were looking because he didn't come in the way or did what they expected him to do.


There are many religions today, too, that have very sincere zealots and
religious people who are equally as wrong even though they sincerely believe
that they have THE truth!


Jesus made it clear—very clear—that he was the only way to God. "I am the way,
the truth, and the life," Jesus stated emphatically. "No one comes to the Father
except through Me." - John 14:6 (NKJV).


And God's Word, the Bible, affirms: "Nor is there salvation in any other, for
there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved."


And that name is Jesus Christ, Son of the Living God. Only in him can
forgiveness of sins, salvation, and the gift of eternal life be found.
Furthermore, had there been other ways to God, why on earth would Jesus have
come to earth to suffer an incredibly excruciating death on the cross to pay the
penalty of all your sins and mine?


The question we all need to ask ourselves, "Have I trusted Jesus as my Lord and
Savior? If not right now surrender your life to Him and accept Him as your
personal Saviour.