Is there a similarity between following Christ and believing in religious rituals?
From the writings of the Rev. Billy Graham
Q: My wife and I met at church, married at church, and raised our family at church. After 20 years, she has turned to another faith. She says all religions are the same and we are all people of faith, but adds that Christianity depends more on crutches than intellect. There’s clearly no similarity between following Christ and believing in religious rituals. I’m losing ground. – O.F.
A: Freedom for the scientist, he thinks, is found in seeking truth about the physical universe. The philosopher tries to discover the truth about human existence. The psychologist looks for truth about the action and reaction of the human mind. At the end of his life, Buddha said, “I am still searching for truth.”
People seek freedom in various ways, not realizing that the freedom they seek is often the pathway to bondage. Einstein said, “I feel like a man chained. If only I could be free from the shackles of my intellectual smallness, then I could understand the universe in which I live.” My, what insight to a man who is considered one of the most brilliant minds.
We say we want freedom from prejudice, freedom from ignorance, and freedom from poverty. We even say we’re searching for religious freedom; yet even in America, there are groups that want to throw out religious symbols. They wish to be free from bondage while throwing away the symbols that speak of true freedom.
Jesus is Truth – all psychological, sociological, scientific, philosophical, and religious truth (see John 14:6). He came to deliver the most freeing message of all and to rescue mankind from bondage and bring peace and freedom to weary souls.
While friends may say to believe everything, the Bible says to pray about everything (see Philippians 4:6–7) and proclaim freedom for those in captivity and under the influence of evil (see Isaiah 61:1).
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(This column is based on the words and writings of the late Rev. Billy Graham.)
©2024 Billy Graham Literary Trust. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
(c)2024 BILLY GRAHAM DISTRIBUTED BY TRIBUNE MEDIA SERVICES, INC.
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