The bulk of the world’s population adheres to some type of religious creed or belief. Millions say they believe in God. Men in high political offices invoke the name of God in public ceremonies. Faithful Muslims make their pilgrimages to Mecca, and Hindus and Buddhists diligently practice the same precepts that were handed down to their forefathers’ generations ago. Worldwide growth is occurring in these groups, as well as other religious groups like Shintoism and Judaism. Charismatics, New Agers, channelers, mystics, psychics and metaphysical alternatives abound as well. All of these conflicting religious philosophies cannot be right.

Christian confusion

Today even Christian beliefs seem hopelessly mired in a malaise of conflicting doctrines, ideas and practices. Hundreds of groups exist, from cults, fundamentalists and denominations, to mainline Catholic and Protestant organizations. Millions of Western Christians go to church every week. A full 85 percent of the adult population in the United States professes to be Christian.

Yet, a third of professing Christians say they never attend church and still feel they are Christian. This reflects the casual, convenient and comfortable nature of the way millions want to believe in God. Many want to feel better about themselves by holding to some religious thoughts or ideas but most simply will not go out of their way to find out more about the God they claim as their own. And many certainly do not want God sticking His nose into their business. After all, if someone finds God they may also find that He requires something from them.

A recent Newsweek cover story, “Spirituality in America,” took a look at the rise of spirituality and why many Americans choose to seek spiritual experiences outside of traditional religions. “Fifty-seven percent of Americans consider spirituality a very important part of their daily lives, according to a new Newsweek/Beliefnet poll. But not all of those polled define spirituality in terms of a traditional religion. While the majority (55%) report that they are religious and spiritual, a significant number (24%) consider themselves spiritual, but not religious. And of those who say they follow a religion (64%), 19 percent say that they are not traditional in how they practice it. That number jumps to 29 percent of those in the 18-39 age bracket, according to the poll” (August 29-September 5, 2005, p. 46).

Because of this pseudoreligious and superficial approach to God, the sad reality is that many false religious ideas have become a deadening and mind-deluding spiritual drug—blinding millions from finding the true God. With all these different approaches we see a religious world hopelessly divided, confused and to a large degree blinded to the simple teachings of Jesus Christ (2 Corinthians 11:3).

Why this religious paradox?

Why have so many created a God that is of their own devising and insist on trying to find God in their own way and in their own time? Millions have created, in their minds, a God that fits the image they have molded and only seek Him in ways they find convenient. Feeling spiritual without having to adhere to specific religious tenets and practices frees people to believe and live as they please.

Furthermore, in our day of intellectual and technical sophistication, vanity and pride prevents many from humbly searching for God and finding out what He says is the way to find Him and what their part is in a relationship with Him. Yet, if He is the true designer of this thing we call human existence, wouldn’t it make sense that He has an interest in what He has made and has left a source for us to discover how to find Him?

In fact, the true God is found in the pages of your Bible. He reveals who He is, as well as the only way to find Him. But even many who call themselves Christian have never found Him because they have not diligently studied His Word and followed His instructions. They may have followed the traditions of their church and even held to traditional beliefs; but if these beliefs are not faithful to the inspired Word of God, they can worship Christ in vain. Jesus Himself said so. “He answered and said to them, ‘Well did Isaiah prophesy of you hypocrites, as it is written: “This people honors Me with their lips, But their heart is far from Me. And in vain they worship Me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.” For laying aside the commandment of God, you hold the tradition of men…’ And He said to them, ‘All too well you reject the commandment of God, that you may keep your tradition’” (Mark 7:6-9).

Just following religious traditions is not enough. Jesus warned that many would come using His name to deceive the masses. “And Jesus answered and said to them: ‘Take heed that no one deceives you. For many will come in My name, saying, “I am the Christ,” and will deceive many’” (Matthew 24:4-5).

Most refuse to take God’s Word for what it says. Stubbornly holding onto false concepts of God blinds millions from the truth (2 Corinthians 4:4). “And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting” (Romans 1:28).

How to find God

In the world of modern education, you won’t find the class “Finding God 101.” Even though some of the best human thinkers acknowledge there must be a God, few have found Him. The 17th-century British mathematician and physicist Sir Isaac Newton acknowledged, “This beautiful system of the sun, planets and comets could only proceed from the counsel and dominion of an intelligent and powerful Being…”
In fact, the true God is found in the pages of your Bible. He reveals who He is, as well as the only way to find Him. But even many who call themselves Christian have never found Him because they have not diligently studied His Word and followed His instructions. They may have followed the traditions of their church and even held to traditional beliefs; but if these beliefs are not faithful to the inspired Word of God, they can worship Christ in vain. Jesus Himself said so. “He answered and said to them, ‘Well did Isaiah prophesy of you hypocrites, as it is written: “This people honors Me with their lips, But their heart is far from Me. And in vain they worship Me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.” For laying aside the commandment of God, you hold the tradition of men…’ And He said to them, ‘All too well you reject the commandment of God, that you may keep your tradition’” (Mark 7:6-9).

Just following religious traditions is not enough. Jesus warned that many would come using His name to deceive the masses. “And Jesus answered and said to them: ‘Take heed that no one deceives you. For many will come in My name, saying, “I am the Christ,” and will deceive many’” (Matthew 24:4-5).

Most refuse to take God’s Word for what it says. Stubbornly holding onto false concepts of God blinds millions from the truth (2 Corinthians 4:4). “And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting” (Romans 1:28).

How to find God

In the world of modern education, you won’t find the class “Finding God 101.” Even though some of the best human thinkers acknowledge there must be a God, few have found Him. The 17th-century British mathematician and physicist Sir Isaac Newton acknowledged, “This beautiful system of the sun, planets and comets could only proceed from the counsel and dominion of an intelligent and powerful Being…”
There are not many different religions that lead to God. Jesus Christ said He is the only door that opens the way to God and there is no other (John 10:9; 14:6). But the way to God is a narrow path that only a few ever find it (Matthew 7:13-14). (For more information on this subject, read our free booklet The Road to Eternal Life.) Most are simply not willing to change their lives and do what God says, so they remain cut off from access to Him. The only way to find God is to deeply repent, accept Christ’s sacrifice for past mistakes and turn wholeheartedly to God (2 Chronicles 7:14; Acts 3:19; Matthew 7:7-10).

In a religious world hopelessly divided and confused, you can cut through clutter by going to the one source that reveals the way to find God—the Bible. Believe it, live by it and you can discover God.

Recommended reading

For more interesting information, please request our free booklet The Church Jesus Built and for more information on our beliefs, request Fundamental Beliefs of the United Church of God.