One world Religion? Sure. This has been in place since Cain and Abel competed for birthrights. What is it? MORALISM
Moralism is the great universal religion of all religions-a persistent evil force.
Moralism is the engine that pushes and pulls all religions of the world.
Moralists therefore make up most religious people in the world from time until now and for the foreseeable future.
How about you—are you a Moralist? Are you a devotee of Moralism?
TAKE THE TEST
TRUE-FALSE
1- In my religion, I must be and do good in order to appease our god and be accepted by it/him/her.
2- In my religion, my good deeds must outweigh my bad deeds if I have any hope to live in our version of heaven or escape our version of hell after I die.
3- In my religion, I must pay some form of recompense for my sinful deeds.
4- In my religion, there is no way for certain to know if I am going to live in heaven after death. I must hope so. I must guess so—all based upon how good or bad I have been—Therefore, I am uncertain.
If you answered TRUE to any or all of these, then welcome to Moralism.
You passed the test. You are indeed a moralist.
You are “Good Deed Doer”
“Back where I come from there are men who do nothing all day but good deeds. They are called phila… er, phila… er, yes, er, Good Deed Doers.” –Frank Baum
WHY IS THE RELIGION OF MORALISM SO POPULAR?
Answers:
1-Control and power. Religions are led by sinful people who well hide their secular motives.
2-Threat. Tell them that they must be “good” or they will “go to hell”.
3-Reward. Tell them they will “maybe”—“Perhaps” go to heaven if they are “Good enough” for long enough.
4-Prescription. Tell them they must follow this set of rules to increase their chances of being accepted by God.
5-Company policy. Tell them the company rules. (not clear and accurate biblical truths)
6-Brand Loyalty. Only our company religion of Morality is the correct one. You must belong to us or else.
Islam even threatens a person’s physical and spiritual life for “Apostasy”.
Most all other morality-based religions practice shunning or excommunication.
Further, creating another book to replace the bible (or pretending to debunk it) becomes necessary.
7-Human Nature. We work for everything we get. We are told that nothing is free.
8-Human Pride. I like being better than someone else because I earned the status.
This leads to comparisons which leads to narcissism which leads to isolationism which leads to religious moralism.
Moralists are those whose pride led to their vulnerability to the craftiness of Moralistic Religious Groups.
To become a Moralist is to become legal prey to Moralist Religious Institutions, which is to become a slave, not to Jesus Christ, but the moral standards required by that religion to remain an upstanding member.
Noted Popular Religions that are Moralistic in Theology:
JEHOVAH’S WITNESS WATCHTOWER
“Once they have been chosen, they must continue to maintain a Christian standard of faith and conduct in order not to be disqualified from receiving their heavenly inheritance.” — JW.org
MORMONISM (now Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints)
“Latter-day Saint teachings state that where we go after this life depends primarily upon the degree to which we accept and follow Jesus Christ, as well as on the desires of our hearts and how we translate those desires into works. In addition, our destination after this life depends on whether we participate in the essential rites (such as baptism) that aid us in the process of repentance, progression and sanctification.” —Mormonnewsroom.org
ISLAM
“Those whose balance of good deeds is heavy will attain salvation, but those whose balance is light will have lost their souls and abide in Hell forever.” (Sura 23: 102-103)
CHRISTIAN SCIENCE Do Christian Scientists believe in heaven and hell?
“Not as places or as part of an afterlife, but certainly as a state of mind. Christian Science theology does not include a final judgment day. Every day each individual can make a new choice that determines the path he or she is on—a path away from God or towards Him.” –christiansciencefullerton.org
BUDDHIST
“Buddhists believe that when people die and are reborn, they do not do so merely in this world, but in 31 distinct planes of existence. The concepts of Heaven and Hell correspond to several of these planes and rebirth in one is determined by the karma acquired during an individual’s life. Good karma reflects positive actions, while bad karma accumulates when a person acts selfishly or hurts others. If a person accumulates a sufficient amount of good karma during his life, he will be reborn into Heaven. Although, if he has sinned, he is reborn in Hell. Although time in Heaven and Hell may last millions of years relative to time passed on earth, it is still temporary and comes to an end.” –classroom.synonym.com
JUDAISM
“Beyond Paradise, according to Legends of the Jews, is the higher Gan Eden, where God is enthroned and explains the Torah to its inhabitants. The higher Gan Eden contains three hundred ten worlds and is divided into seven compartments. The compartments are not described, though it is implied that each compartment is greater than the previous one and is joined based on one’s merit. The first compartment is for Jewish martyrs, the second for those who drowned, the third for “Rabbi Johanan ben Zakkai and his disciples,” the fourth for those whom the cloud of glory carried off, the fifth for penitents, the sixth for youths who have never sinned; and the seventh for the poor who lived decently and studied the Torah.” –-Wikipedia
CATHOLICISM
- Good Deeds
“If you have done anything that is seriously wrong, even very many things, but if you also repent fully before you die, then you will go to Heaven, but only if you have also done at least some truly good and genuinely selfless acts in your life. For an actual mortal sin of omission can be committed by refusing to choose selfless acts of goodness for other persons. If you have never loved your neighbor with a true selfless spiritual love, then you will certainly go to Hell. For choosing to spend your whole life without doing good is one of the worst evils that you can choose.Truly good deeds include sincere prayer for others, genuine worship of God, selflessly helping other human beings in need, and any similar deed that expresses a true love for God and a true love for neighbor. Make certain that you have done at least some acts in your life that are substantially selflessly good. Otherwise, when you are judged by God, who is the source of all that is good, you will have no defense.If your life has been a waste, your soul will burn in Hell forever, unless you repent and do good before you die.” –catholicplanet.com
CHRISTIANITY
Unfortunately, a vast number of professing Christians are Moralists as well. This is in abject defiance of Christian theology. This is what the Protestant Reformation was all about. The bible, no longer hidden, exposed the church charlatans in the catholic moralistic religion. (as it always will)
TRUE BIBLICAL CHRISTIANITY DENIES MORALISM.
Christianity Is NOT Moralistic; therefore, it is unpopular.
Major reasons:
1-Strips away pride and ego.
This may very well be the strongest reason people would rather be religious than Christian.
I WANT TO BE GOOD BY AND FOR MYSELF SO THAT OTHERS THINK I AM A GOOD PERSON.
When you and I face death, the bible says that this appointment event will include a time of judgement.
How would you answer this question from God?
Why should God allow you and me, sinful creatures, to enter His heaven?
Most people would answer,
“BECAUSE I AM BASICALLY A GOOD PERSON. I HAVEN’T DONE ANYTHING REAL BAD AND I DID MANY GOOD THINGS. (as if God didn’t know our life)
This is called, RELIGIOUS MORALISM. It is the worship of self, taking credit for what I do not possess.
2-Keeps Christ’s death and sacrifice as necessary—not my attempts at appeasing God.
“I have been nailed to the cross with Christ. 20 I have died, but Christ lives in me. And I now live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave his life for me. 21 I don’t turn my back on God’s undeserved kindness. If we can be acceptable to God by obeying the Law, (being good) it was useless for Christ to die.” Galatians 2: 19b-21
Think of that. You and I can work at earning our way to God and heaven on our own?
If so, then God sent His Son to die for my sin and yours in vain.
3-Disallows Comparisons and one-up-man-ship (No Goody-Two-Shoes Allowed)
Problem here is that we are all equally guilty under the law. And one sin is enough to condemn us.
Further, “If you obey every law except one, you are still guilty of breaking them all.” James 2:10
4-Eternal Security and Assurance is supplied by the Atonement of Jesus Christ, not adherence to the Law or Moral Behaviors.
Listen to God Speak Here and Now:
3 We used to be stupid, disobedient, and foolish, as well as slaves of all sorts of desires and pleasures.
We were evil and jealous. Everyone hated us, and we hated everyone.
4 God our Savior showed us how good and kind he is.
5 He saved us because of his mercy, and not because of any good things that we have done.
God washed us by the power of the Holy Spirit. He gave us new birth and a fresh beginning.
6 God sent Jesus Christ our Savior to give us his Spirit.
7 Jesus treated us much better than we deserve. He made us acceptable to God and gave us the hope of eternal life. Titus 3:3-7
While the entity of New Testament teachings supports Christianity (Salvation by grace alone through faith) over Moralism, here is just one passage that tells the story of how God chose to redeem mankind apart from impotent, moral human effort.
Listen to God Speak Here and Now:
“In the past you were dead because you sinned and fought against God.
2 You followed the ways of this world and obeyed the devil. He rules the world, and his spirit has power over everyone who doesn’t obey God.
3 Once we were also ruled by the selfish desires of our bodies and minds. We had made God angry, and we were going to be punished like everyone else.
4-5 But God was merciful! We were dead because of our sins, but God loved us so much that he made us alive with Christ, and God’s wonderful kindness is what saves you.
6 God raised us from death to life with Christ Jesus, and he has given us a place beside Christ in heaven.
7 God did this so that in the future world he could show how truly good and kind he is to us because of what Christ Jesus has done.
8 You were saved by faith in God, who treats us much better than we deserve. This is God’s gift to you, and not anything you have done on your own.
9 It isn’t something you have earned, so there is nothing you can brag about.
10 God planned for us to do good things and to live as he has always wanted us to live. That’s why he sent Christ to make us what we are.” Ephesians 2:1-10
Religious Moralism seeks to deceive people into a form of slavery. The sadness of it all is just how far a person will go in adherence to “The Organization”. Moralistic followers are well known for their clean appearance, blind allegiance to rules and regulations, and being impossibly dutiful in the stated missions of their church. From the outside, it appears that religious moralism is capable of human-transformation from within. Unfortunately, it is an outward devotion to surface ideologies, and it promises to appease the God who demands purity and loyalty as a prerequisite to His pleasure, salvation and eternal fellowship.
WHAT TO DO WHEN YOU DISCOVER YOU ARE MORALIST-
NOT A CHRISTIAN– In other words:
HOW TO FIX THE PROBLEM
—DITCH THE PRIDE – TURN FROM YOUR UNBELIEF AND SIN.
–RECEIVE, TRUST AND GIVE YOUR LIFE TO CHRIST ALONE
You and I are not good. Yes, we may do good things, but this is not what God requires of us to be acceptable to Him.
Listen to God Speak Here and Now:
21 Now we see how God does make us acceptable to him. The Law and the Prophets tell how we become acceptable, and it isn’t by obeying the Law of Moses.
22 God treats everyone alike. He accepts people only because they have faith in Jesus Christ.
23 All of us have sinned and fallen short of God’s glory.
24 But God treats us much better than we deserve, and because of Christ Jesus, he freely accepts us and sets us free from our sins.
25-26 God sent Christ to be our sacrifice. Christ offered his life’s blood, so that by faith in him we could come to God. And God did this to show that in the past he was right to be patient and forgive sinners. This also shows that God is right when he accepts people who have faith in Jesus.
27 What is left for us to brag about? Not a thing! Is it because we obeyed some law? No! It is because of faith.
28 We see that people are acceptable to God because they have faith, and not because they obey the Law.” Romans 3:21-27
DENY THE DAMNING DOCTRINE OF MORAL SUFFICIENCY ALONE
If your church/religion seeks to imprison you with rules, regulations and prerequisite demands that have nothing to do with God’s Grace and Salvation through Christ alone, then run to the nearest church who preaches GRACE ALONE.
If the bible, God’s Word to us, is doubted, demeaned or debunked (much less added to or replaced), then seek a church where you can be free in Christ and secure in His substitutional death, burial and resurrection for you.
You and I are sinful and can never deserve God’s grace and forgiveness through Christ.
Listen to God Speak Here and Now:
“By faith we have been made acceptable to God. And now, because of our Lord Jesus Christ, we live at peace with God. 2 Christ has also introduced us to God’s undeserved kindness on which we take our stand. So, we are happy, as we look forward to sharing in the glory of God. 3 But that’s not all! We gladly suffer, because we know that suffering helps us to endure. 4 And endurance builds character, which gives us a hope 5 that will never disappoint us.
All of this happens because God has given us the Holy Spirit, who fills our hearts with his love.
6 Christ died for us at a time when we were helpless and sinful. 7 No one is really willing to die for an honest person, though someone might be willing to die for a truly good person. 8 But God showed how much he loved us by having Christ die for us, even though we were sinful.
9 But there is more! Now that God has accepted us because Christ sacrificed his life’s blood, we will also be kept safe from God’s anger. 10 Even when we were God’s enemies, he made peace with us, because his Son died for us. Yet something even greater than friendship is ours. Now that we are at peace with God, we will be saved by his Son’s life. 11 And in addition to everything else, we are happy because God sent our Lord Jesus Christ to make peace with us.
12 Adam sinned, and that sin brought death into the world. Now everyone has sinned, and so everyone must die. 13 Sin was in the world before the Law came. But no record of sin was kept, because there was no Law. 14 Yet death still had power over all who lived from the time of Adam to the time of Moses. This happened, though not everyone disobeyed a direct command from God, as Adam did.
In some ways Adam is like Christ who came later. 15 But the gift that God was kind enough to give was very different from Adam’s sin. That one sin brought death to many others. Yet in an even greater way, Jesus Christ alone brought God’s gift of kindness to many people.” Romans 5:1-15
TRADE SLAVE OWNERSHIP
We are either slaves to sin or to Christ.
We are either slaves to the rules and regulations of religious performance, or to God Himself.
Listen to God Speak Here and Now:
Slaves Who Do What Pleases God
15 What does all this mean? Does it mean we are free to sin, because we are ruled by God’s wonderful kindness and not by the Law? Certainly not!
16 Don’t you know that you are slaves of anyone you obey? You can be slaves of sin and die, or you can be obedient slaves of God and be acceptable to him.
17 You used to be slaves of sin. But I thank God that with all your heart you obeyed the teaching you received from me.
18 Now you are set free from sin and are slaves who please God.
19 I am using these everyday examples, because in some ways you are still weak. You used to let the different parts of your body be slaves of your evil thoughts. But now you must make every part of your body serve God, so that you will belong completely to him.
20 When you were slaves of sin, you didn’t have to please God.
21 But what good did you receive from the things you did? All you have to show for them is your shame, and they lead to death.
22 Now you have been set free from sin, and you are God’s slaves. This will make you holy and will lead you to eternal life.
23 Sin pays off with death. But God’s gift is eternal life given by Jesus Christ our Lord.” Romans 6:15-23
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THE CHRISTIAN, unlike the religious moralist, IS FREE FROM THE OBLIGATION TO SINS DEMANDS.
I did not say free from the potential to sin or the temptation to sin, or from sinning.
Say goodbye to anyone who seeks to keep you loyal to their brand of religious expression apart from loyalty to Jesus Christ. The law, quotas of good-deeds and religious duties prescribed by men/religious leaders, can only offer club membership.
Religious moralists can out work most people, including Christians. WHY?
1-They are told that they can’t go to heaven without more good works than bad.
2-They are told they will be excommunicated, rejected and lose their credential with God and religious system.
3-In other words, FEAR AND MANIPULATION. What a graceless way to live for a lying taskmaster who will never deliver on his promise.
THINK ABOUT THIS:
If you want to live by the Moralist demands, who among the Moralism’s Elite has the Moral Authority and ability to determine when you have reached the level of, “I MADE IT”? That’s right—No One! It’s all a guessing game.
ONCE MORALISM IS THOROUGHLY OUT OF YOUR SYSTEM AND CHRIST IS LORD OF YOUR LIFE,
THEN GET BUSY AND WORK. Work for the pleasure of Christ, not the glory and satisfaction of man’s approval–not for eternal anything.
–Work—but not for your reputation and image before men.
–Work—not for a human Empire built by men but for the Kingdom of God.
–Work– BECAUSE you are a Christian, not to become one and certainly not to try and remain one.
–Work to give God glory for all He accomplishes through you.
Jesus told His Disciples (followers)
“You are like salt for everyone on earth. But if salt no longer tastes like salt, how can it make food salty? All it is good for is to be thrown out and walked on. 14 You are like light for the whole world. A city built on top of a hill cannot be hidden, 15 and no one would light a lamp and put it under a clay pot. A lamp is placed on a lampstand, where it can give light to everyone in the house. 16 Make your light shine, so that others will see the good that you do and will praise your Father in heaven.“ Matthew 5:13-16
Listen to God Speak Here and Now:
“So, work with fear and trembling to discover what it really means to be saved. God is working in you to make you willing and able to obey him.” Philippians 2:12b-13
IF OUR FAITH IS REAL—OUR WORKS WILL REVEAL–OUR MORALITY WILL MATCH THE WORD OF GOD AND THE LIFE OF CHRIST WHO RESIDES WITHIN OUR LIVES
Listen to God Speak Here and Now:
Faith and Works
14 My friends, what good is it to say you have faith, when you don’t do anything to show that you really do have faith? Can that kind of faith save you?
15 If you know someone who doesn’t have any clothes or food, 16 you shouldn’t just say, “I hope all goes well for you. I hope you will be warm and have plenty to eat.” What good is it to say this, unless you do something to help?
17 Faith that doesn’t lead us to do good deeds is all alone and dead!
18 Suppose someone disagrees and says, “It is possible to have faith without doing kind deeds.”
I would answer, “Prove that you have faith without doing kind deeds, and I will prove that I have faith by doing them.”
19 You surely believe there is only one God. That’s fine. Even demons believe this, and it makes them shake with fear.
20 Does some stupid person want proof that faith without deeds is useless?
21 Well, our ancestor Abraham pleased God by putting his son Isaac on the altar to sacrifice him.
22 Now you see how Abraham’s faith and deeds worked together. He proved that his faith was real by what he did.
23 This is what the Scriptures mean by saying, “Abraham had faith in God, and God was pleased with him.” That’s how Abraham became God’s friend.
24 You can now see that we please God by what we do and not only by what we believe.
25 For example, Rahab had been a prostitute. But she pleased God when she welcomed the spies and sent them home by another way.
26 Anyone who doesn’t breathe is dead, and faith that doesn’t do anything is just as dead!” James 4:14-26
Final Notes:
If I could become and or remain a Christian (Christ-follower) by being a “good” person, I could most certainly become a better person than you. Then I could look down on you and label you as “less-than”. I could and would promote myself.
And I would be lost–an egotistical fool who rejected the free gift of salvation and eternal life through no work of my own. I have no hope in this life or the one to come called “eternity”.
Christians are never better than any one, though, because of knowing and following Jesus Christ, they are often better-off.
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When you and I die, the bible says that we will face judgement and that our knee will bow to Jesus Christ. Here is what WE WILL NOT HEAR at that moment:
“Are you Baptist? Are you Catholic, Presbyterian, Mormon, Buddhist, Shinto, Episcopal, Pentecostal, Shriner, Methodist, etc. Our religious label will matter not. Our balance of good and bad deeds will matter not.
Good and bad deeds DO relate to rewards in heaven for those who gave their lives to Jesus.
HERE IS THE TRUTH THAT SEPARATES THE SHEEP FROM THE GOATS:
This is written to believers–submitted Disciples of Jesus Christ.
“We believe what people tell us. But we can trust what God says even more, and God is the one who has spoken about his Son. 10 If we have faith in God’s Son, we have believed what God has said. But if we don’t believe what God has said about his Son, it is the same as calling God a liar. 11 God has also said that he gave us eternal life and that this life comes to us from his Son. 12 And so, if we have God’s Son, we have this life. But if we don’t have the Son, we don’t have this life.” I John 5:9-12
All people will have eternal life–Some in heaven–Some in hell, separated from Christ for eternity.
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bible quotes are from the CEV American Bible Society