Should a Person’s Religion Be By Personal Design?

Q: It seems that taking the good from Buddha, the Dali Lama and Jesus would make for a good system. I believe that each person’s religion should be by personal design. Why should I believe what someone else has concocted? — D.R.

A: Just a few years ago a tech company began developing “How to Redesign a Religion.” Branding everything these days is big business and advertisers have not left religion out of the boom. A social media site once tried to develop a program “Religion of Individualism.” A British comedian targeted this trend in a short film called “How to Start a Religion.”

Religion won’t save anyone. Christianity is true faith in God that requires selflessness, but it is being replaced by trendy religion that serves the selfish. A religion designed to reflect one’s personal desire is contrary to having a personal relationship with God, who puts within His true follower His desires. Society is doing a good job of convincing the world that Jesus has no power to judge sin. Some believe that following His example of doing kind acts to others is what empowers us to be good.

The world does not object to this kind of Christianity — content to have only a social Christ who provides what we want for ourselves. The world does object to the living Christ, all-knowing and all-powerful. So we try to rationalize away the fullness of Christ, which includes His resurrection and His command to obey His Word.

The Bible says, “Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes” (Isaiah 5:21). We must put less confidence in ourselves and more trust and faith in God who has shown the world His great love.

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(This column is based on the words and writings of the late Rev. Billy Graham.)

(c)2018 BILLY GRAHAM DISTRIBUTED BY TRIBUNE MEDIA SERVICES, INC.