Growing up I was a typical teenager, I thought I was invincible. I knew all the answers (they didn't match the questions much of the time, but I had answers). I was going to live forever no matter what I did.

I did my share of incredibly stupid things. I'm not proud of the stupid things I did and I pray my children are smarter in those areas than their father ever was, but the reality is that I did them. I drank way too much, I tried my share of street drugs, I drove too fast (and then some) and no risk seemed unreasonable. After all, I believed that no harm would come to me, bad things only happened to other people.

When my pickup truck ran off the road at more than 110 miles an hour (the speedometer wrapped at 110 so I don't know what speed we were really going) and we walked away unscathed, I thought it was fun.

Getting so drunk that I couldn't see straight and then driving was the norm in those years. It is only by God's grace that we were never hurt or killed. "Everyone else" did it, so it must have been okay for me to do it.

By the providence of God, I survived to be an adult with only a few broken bones. My few minor scrapes with the local constabulary (some deserved, others not) left me a little wiser, but I didn't have to spend anytime in jail and didn't end up with a criminal record.

We experimented with explosives for fun and didn't blow anyone up. There was one time that a .22 cartridge (without the bullet) exploded in my face and left me deaf for a day. I faked my way through the day, too terrified to tell anyone what I had done and fearing that I might never hear again. Once my hearing returned, I was none the wiser, I still thought I was invincible.

Perhaps in the neighborhood or community you lived in, you didn't do the same kind of dumb things I did. If you're honest though, most people have their share of stupid teen experiences that can only be explained by the mistaken belief that either they could get away with it or nothing bad could happen to them.

In all the foolish belief that I could never be harmed I was very sincere. It should go without saying that I'm not invincible and never was no matter how sincere my beliefs. Sincerity of belief isn't the answer. No matter how sincerely you hold a belief, if it's not true, your sincerity will never make it true.

The Bible says that there is only one way to eternity with God, one way to true forgiveness.

Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you really knew me, you would know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him." John 14:6-7 NIV

"Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it. Matthew 7:13-14 NIV

This day I call heaven and earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live and that you may love the LORD your God, listen to his voice, and hold fast to him. For the LORD is your life, and he will give you many years in the land he swore to give to your fathers, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. Deuteronomy 30:1-20 NIV

People who hold differing beliefs may be sincere, in fact many are. Most however really don't know what they believe or why they believe it. They've simply pulled a bunch of beliefs that have accumulated into their life without conscious effort or even examining the alternatives. Most base their entire future on second hand or even further removed knowledge.

The reality is though that people without Christ are destined for hell. Hell is real too, even though many people are sincere in their belief that it can't be.

Then death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. The lake of fire is the second death. If anyone's name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire. Revelation 20:14-15 NIV

People are free to believe whatever they want BUT the reality is that those beliefs can be wrong and will not change the eternal consequences. If their hope for salvation and eternity is based on anything other than a personal relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ their belief is futile no matter how sincere.

Does it matter what you believe? Yes. Yes. YES!!

We can never "force " Christianity on someone, it must be his or her choice. Ultimately though, the choice is theirs. Our responsibility is to tell them the truth and show them the hope through our lives. God's responsibility is to change their hearts.

Until next time, remember that people are entitled to differing beliefs, but as holders of the truth you have a responsibility to share it in love.

Hallelu Yah (Praise God)!

Kevin

http://gleaningsfromtheword.com/

Once you have accepted Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, you are cared for.

Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.
1 Peter 5:7 NIV

Never let the enemy tell you that you are worthless or insignificant. You have value in the eyes of God so great that it was worth dying for. You are a blessing to the world.

Did you know God's forgiveness and unconditional love is available for anyone who asks?

If you haven't made the decision to accept Christ as Lord