Before you toss this in the street, at least read this paragraph. This leaflet is in your hands because God wants you to know something important: Chances are, all your reasons for staying away from God have been based on the teachings of religion! Hate religion? Well guess what... So does God!
This is not a solicitation to join a church, make some televangelist rich, or condemn you as a sinner. This message is written by a Christian believer testifying of the Love of God, and of how you can know for yourself that he is real, and really loves you as well. It is also a testimony about some the lies being told, about what you must do to be in Gods favor. Religion has continually sought to control people through guilt, condemnation, and by filling our ears with messages about sin, hellfire, and a vengeful God. It's time to let God speak for Himself!
Before the Bible was the Author!
I believe in the bible, and I quote it often. But haven't you found it strange, intimidating, and maybe even insulting when someone begins telling you how to run your life because "the bible says this or that". First of all, anyone not born yesterday knows there is a world full of "bible based" religions that seriously disagree with each other's interpretations. Second, the number of religions that claim "biblical" insight while preaching hate is just sickening. And finally, if God is real, why don't these groups encourage you to seek Him directly first, instead of just reading a book?
The bible is like a road map given to you by a trusted friend who wrote his phone number on the back. Even the best map can be incomplete, difficult to read or understand, and have roads that are missing or unclear. It is still valuable as long as you can call your friend with that phone number. But even with a good map, I would want to call that phone number first and talk to the person I was visiting before making the trip, wouldn't you? So the first step in seeking God is simply to seek Him. A simple statement such as: "God, if you're really out there, I want to know you" is actually one of the world's most powerful prayers. Consider all the "teachers" besides Jesus, and all the so called "holy" books ever written. Only God Himself can show us who to believe. Don't even take anything I tell you for granted. Ask God to confirm or refute everything. Knowledge of spiritual things is totally worthless if it does not start with a personal relationship between you and God. And relationships must start with two way communication.
But Then the LIES begin...
Knowledge of God is often just a prayer away. And the moment you become aware of His presence, you will also know His Goodness and Love. In fact, the bible says God is Love (1 John 4. Vs 16), and you will not be able to escape knowing when real Love touches you. The bible says that God reveals himself to those who seek Him, and everyone I know who has sincerely prayed for such a revelation has indeed come to know His reality (John 14. Vs 21). But if that's true, why are there so many who have received a taste of Gods presence, only to end up repelled by spiritual things more than ever? You know why... it's because of religion, and religion is all too often the devil's most powerful tool! No surprise that the bible warns that judgment will start with the church! (1 Peter 4: 16)
Now I know as I write this, that the idea of a "devil" is foolishness to most people. But look at the world today and it is probably easier to prove the existence of a devil then of God! In fact it is tough to make a case for the "upward" evolution of man when you consider how destructive and evil people can be. But if the idea of a devil seems silly, at least consider that beyond the obvious evils of crime and hate we see in the paper and local news, there is also a dangerous evil hiding behind the walls of many churches.
Once you become aware of God and His love, this devil I speak of will use religion and other deceptions to discourage you, convince you that it was all a child's dream, and that God really does NOT love you at all. Could we actually be so gullible to be tricked into leaving God behind? Yes... it's happened to all of us! The devil has fooled us successfully with religion throughout the ages, sending false "teachers" who claim to represent God, and in the end leave us in worse spiritual condition then we were before! Here are some samples of the ways "religion" lies to us:
Lie #1 If you're Good, you'll go to heaven.
Sounds nice, but it's a lie. The bible says that no one was ever justified by trying to "be good" and follow the law (Gal. 2 vs 16). Being "good" according to the bible would mean being perfect, which no one is. The whole reason we were cursed with the law to begin with was because we wanted to "eat from the tree of knowledge of good and evil" (Gen. 2. Vs. 17). The bible also tells us that the wages of sin is death, and that not one of us can claim to be free of sin (Rom. 6. Vs 23, 1 John 1, vs. 8). The purpose of this declaration was not to condemn the world, but to show us that since all of us fall short of the glory of God (Rom 3. Vs. 23), we really have no business judging each other! (Rom. 14. Vs 13). Further, Jesus Christ, claiming to be the very personification of God, has offered His goodness to us as a free gift, so that anyone who accepts this gift may not perish (John 3. 16), but have eternal life. When the religious people dragged a woman caught in adultery before Him, he did not condemn her at all. Instead he challenged: "Let he among you that is without sin cast the first stone!" (John 8. Vs. 7). The salvation He spoke of was a free gift, not earned by "being good". His simple condition? To trust God with our lives, and forgive others as freely as He forgives us. If there is one truth often totally hidden by religion, it is that we are commanded to stop thinking of ourselves as better then others. (Luke 6., Vs 37- 42).
Next Lie...
God hates jews, blacks, gays, democrats, etc.
The devil uses people's anger, fear, pride, bigotry, and paranoia, and helps them justify it all by telling them God is on their side. In doing so, satan causes them to lose out on God's offer of free salvation, because they continue to think themselves superior and sit in judgment. Worse, he makes sure the cameras are rolling when these deceived people hold rallies, so the world can see how bad religion is. The result? People don't want to touch "God" with a 10-foot poll. Who would want to be counted among such hateful people? This is false religion at it's worst, and remember that nobody counterfeits pennies! It's just not worth the trouble. Rather, those who want to gain from their deceit carefully counterfeit $20 and $100 bills. In the same way, the devil is very skillful at making it seem that everyone involved with God is associated with such intolerance. It is very effective counterfeit, but it is a lie! God's love for us is unconditional, and Christ has made it possible for all of us to partake of God's kingdom. Nothing that you and I have done, are doing, or could ever do can keep us from His love! (Rom. 8. Vs. 38).
More Lies...
You must stop sinning and come to the Lord
Sounds pretty tough to argue with. If sin is indeed destructive, how can anyone seek to justify it? But wait a minute... The bible, speaking to believers, says that anyone that claims to be without sin is a liar! (1 John 1. Vs. 8). What is wrong with this picture? The answer is that a deceitful "arrangement" of words can easily transform the Good News (gospel) of God into a death sentence. The above statement should read: "come to the Lord, and He will take care of your sin problem"! In other words, the horse pulls the cart, not the other way around. I'm here to tell you that it does not matter to God what is going on in your life! You are no better or worse than anyone else, and His love for you is unshaken by anything you may be going through. He wants to help you in every area of your life.
How many believers have left their faith in frustration and discouragement, because they haven't dealt with some real or imagined "sin" to the satisfaction of their church or religion. If there is anything I hope you get out of this message, it is my humble testimony: The number of things "wrong" with me at any given time surly exceeds all that is right. But the Lord has never left me, even when I was unfaithful and turned my back on Him (2 Timothy 2, vs 13). No one need worry about what might or might not be a sin in their life when they approach God. It is God's love and mercy that saves us, not our own efforts (Rom. 9. Vs 16). If anything needs fixing, He will take care of it. He is both the author and finisher of our faith (Heb. 12. Vs 2). And I have more good news for you! Many things you think the Lord might take from you will often be both blessed and multiplied instead. That's because religion is full of man made rules that are of no value at all. For a real eye opener, take a look at what the bible says in Colossians 2. Vs 16 - 23. Despite all religion has to say, God does not frown on the idea of enjoying life. In fact, He is the only source of real and lasting Joy!
The simple truth...a free gift with no strings
The plain and simple truth is that eternal life, and a world of blessings here and now are available as a free gift to all those that come to the Lord, and trust Him with their lives. So powerful and wonderful is His gift, that it is equated to being born again in the bible! (John 3. Vs. 3) Find a bible and read the book of John, along some of the other scriptures mentioned. But first, ask the Lord to personally confirm his reality and his love, and give you wisdom as to what is true! You will see that truly, there are no strings attached to receiving Gods Love.
If you still have questions, I welcome you to write to me. I do not represent any church. I will not put you on a mailing list, or ask for your money. I do not have all the answers, but I do know the one who does!!