Monday, May 26, 2008
Isaiah 44:6 Thus says the LORD, the King of Israel, And his Redeemer, the LORD of hosts: "I am the First and I am the Last; Besides Me there is no God."
THE ONE AND ONLY TRUE GOD
There is this pervasive idea spreading throughout our society that one god is just as good as the next. It is said by some that all the different religions of the world are just different paths to get to the same place. Others say that we are all worshiping the same God, just by a different name. But the doctrine of God as revealed in the Bible is not compatible with the god of other religions.
A study of the doctrine of God begins with the Scriptural truth that there is only one God. The words recorded by Isaiah are monotheistic (one God) -- a stark contrast to polytheism (many gods) which is taught by many religions of the world. It also goes against the man-developed concepts of pantheism (God is in everything and everything is God), and religious pluralism (all gods are equal). The God of the Bible clearly states: "I am the First and I am the Last; Besides Me there is no God." Jesus clearly states this truth when He says: "And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent" (John 17:3).
Of all the gods that are spoken of and believed on in this vast world, only one can be true God! Since there can only be one, we ought to be sure that we have the right one, for it is that God alone that we should worship and Him alone to whom we can turn for help and salvation. If we have the wrong one, then all is lost.
In the Athanasian Creed we confess: "Whosoever will be saved, before all things it is necessary that he hold the catholic [i.e. universal] faith. Which faith, except every one do keep whole and undefiled, without doubt he shall perish everlastingly."
