If you have never acknowledged that Jesus died for your sins, if you have never accepted the fact that you are unworthy of eternal life with him, if you have lived your life with the mistaken belief that simply because of the religion you were raised in that you are entitled to heaven -- I'd suggest you re-evaluate your position! No one can accept Christ on your behalf (yes, I am referring to infant baptism). Memorizing 100 questions and answers does not confirm your seat in heaven. Praying to dead people does not earn you points with the Creator.
God is everywhere. Jesus is, at this moment, standing behind me as I write this post, just as he is standing along side of the soldier who called on him for protection. He is watching over the baby in the NICU that hundreds of people are praying to him about. He is standing beside that car wreck on the interstate because the driver called his name. He is but a cry away.
Our fear keeps us in check. It holds us to a higher standard than others. Our "fear" is the respect and reverence we show our God - through prayer, through acceptance, through our actions. We cheapen that respect when we brazenly profess to be better than others simply because of the religion we practice. "Religion" is not the Church of Christ! Religion, according to Webster's, is simply a specific fundamental set of beliefs and practices". It is not faith, it is not a guarantee of heaven - it is a set of man-made rules based on the Word of God. The "Church" is the body of believers - those who believe in the salvation offered through acceptance of Jesus' sacrifice. If your religion excludes other religions, set itself above other religions or encourages actions specifically prohibited in God's Word - perhaps you need to re-think your choice. Find a religion that includes all of the members of the Church and allow your faith in God and your acceptance of Jesus to save you! He is, after all, the only one who can!
