I believe in God.. but I don't know God. I don't know if God corresponds to any particular scriptures.
I really, really appreciate your honesty. That is rare these days.
How does one begin to sift through the different ideas to come to the truth.. what is the best way to approach the search?
I have just started
a thread on this subject, because many, many, many people identifying as Christian, have made it seem one need not sift through the multiplicity of different ideas to come to the truth, but can simply hold on to any idea that they prefer, because according to them, one idea is no better than the other, as any one could be right.
This, is a gross misrepresentation of truth, and really discredits the God of truth, because it says God is not concerned with if we know the truth, so long as we all believe in Jesus Christ, and that he died for our sins.
In other words, we can all be God's children, even if what we believe is not at all true.
This is a Satanic lie, because Satan wants us to believe the lie, and think that we can still have life, and so he contaminates the waters, so to speak, and tell us that drinking it is healthy, and will not harm us.
God however says contrary. Revelation 22:17
Isaiah 55:1-3 is a beautiful text that reads...
1 “Come, all you who are thirsty, come to the waters; and you without money, come, buy, and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without cost!
2 Why spend money on that which is not bread, and your labor on that which does not satisfy? Listen carefully to Me, and eat what is good, and your soul will delight in the richest of foods.
3 Incline your ear and come to Me; listen, so that your soul may live.
God wants us to get living water that leads to life, by listening... inclining our ear to him. How do we do that?
Jesus, said, “If anyone is thirsty, let him come to Me and drink. The
one believing in Me, as the Scripture has said: 'Out of his belly will flow rivers of living water.'" John 7:37, 38
We know Jesus is not referring to physical water. A lady once misunderstood Jesus' words in this regard.
Notice what Jesus said to her.
John 4:13, 14
13 Jesus answered and said to her, "Everyone drinking of this water [the one from the well] will thirst again;
14 But whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give him will become in him a fount of water springing up to eternal life.”
That Jesus was referring to the truth, is borne out in several scriptures. Proverbs 23:23; Isaiah 65:13; Amos 8:11, 12...
I will show you from God's word the Bible - the scriptures, what is, not just the best way, but the right way to approach a search for the truth.
- Step 1. Talk with God
Pray to God specifically for help to find the right way, or the true way of worship - the correct knowledge of truth, since it is God's will for all to find that. 1 Timothy 2:3, 4 You may ask him to help you find him... to know what is truth out of all the confusing ideas in the world's religions. Pray regularly about this. Acts 10:1-4
- Step 2. Incline your ear to listen to God
Make a sincere effort to listen to God, who communicates to us through his word. Proverbs 28:9; 2 Timothy 3:16, 17; 1 Thessalonians 2:13; John17:17; Hebrews 4:12
[*]Taking these steps will lead to God answering your prayer, and responding to your sincere plea for help, and he will send you the help you need - his messengers..
Acts 10:4; Acts 8:26-40; Acts 16:9, 10; Daniel 9:20-23
Don't look for an angel to appear to you.
- Step 3. Act in harmony with your prayers
When God sends you the help, respond to it by, listening to and receiving the message, and studying the Bible to be sure of the things you are hearing. Acts 17:11
[*]Take your time, for there is no need to rush into anything, but keep examining the scriptures daily, with prayer, and meditation. You will know the ring of truth though, once you hear it.
Then, it's up to you.
If you are asking why Christianity rather than Islam, Buddhism... please clarify.
Thank you... and thanks for your questions.
