Throughout history, mankind has sought to know God. The vast majority of people believe God exists. Where we differ is who/what we believe God is and the method we believe will allow us to know God. Though the number of religious and sects is great, they can really be boiled down to five religious choices.

1. Religious Legalism

Religious legalism seeks primarily to placate the wrath of God. God no longer speaks and is not involved in our daily lives, but He has left a set of laws to live by. So, we seek live out the Biblical laws.

2. Liberalism

In religious liberalism, miracles are myths. The goal is to try to lead a good life. The definition of what a “good” life is, usually is up to the individual to decide.

3. Hedonism

With hedonism, the goal is to indulge the flesh because there is nothing after this life. You only get one life; so, enjoy it.

4. Christian Mysticism

There are really two types of mystics:

The “stripping away” mystic.

People who follow this type of mysticism seek to kill the desires of the flesh through bodily mortification (i.e. sleeping on beds of nails, self-flagellation, etc).

The “coming to the light” mystic.

A coming to the light mystic seeks to sense the light of God within them.

Both types of mystics usually go away to monasteries or to the desert to live out their Christian experiences. They are unable to easily pass it on to others and, since they have essentially fled from society, they are unable to fulfill the great commission which is to disciple all nations.

5. False Religions

This group includes a multitude of religions. Those who believe in false religions are living in bondage to the laws of false gods.

These 5 Choices are Unacceptable.

It is utterly astounding to me to observe that fundamentalists, liberals, heathens, worshippers of false gods and half of the mystics ALL agree that God has no living encounter with mankind today! So in that sense, they are all in the same camp! How can this be, when from Genesis to Revelation, God continuously had living encounters with mankind? More than that, He declared that in these last days He would continue to speak to us and reveal Himself to us through dreams and visions (Acts 2:17)!

A Sixth Choice

Folks, it is time every follower of Christ take whatever effort is necessary to break the yoke in our lives of the false gods of religion, rationalism, humanism and paganism and be restored to a lifestyle of living out of the voice and vision and power of Almighty God!

God Has Given Us a Clear Path to Christian Spirituality that Is Transferable and Workable in Everyday Life! God has living encounters with people every day and you can experience this too. You can learn to hear God and see vision. You can live in an intimate love relationship with God.

Mark Virkler is with Christian Leadership University. CLU is a Christian University and Online Bible College offering Christian education including Christian counseling and Christian theology seminaries and offers certificates, undergrad, Masters, and Doctorates in the various Christian colleges of CLU. http://www.cluonline.com