# 1: What is Truth?

Logic says that the sole criteria as to what Christianity is and how it functions must originate from only one source: the New Testament of the Christian Bible. Therefore, any organization that mentions Jesus Christ as Lord (absolute boss, as to what they believe and how they live) and does not teach and practice what Scripture dictated is a false form of Christianity, regardless of how devoted and sincere one is to his or her religious beliefs. In other words, the only people who qualify as becoming citizens of God’s realm are those who do the will of God as dictated in the Christian Constitution (The New Testament).

If that is true, and it is, one might ask why there are so many diverse denominations, independent churches, cults, etc. who claim to be following what the Bible teaches. Could it be, without knowing it or wanting to admit it, that the clergy are people-pleasers to some degree in order to keep church membership from dwindling and to entice new members? If the Christian Constitution were to be followed to the letter, it would rub our human nature the wrong way, and most of us would rebel. We would rather have it say, “The Christian life will be easy and things will go our way, because Jesus Christ doesn’t deliberately desire to make it burdensome for anyone.” Ha! Any object, theory, or belief that has any complexity whatsoever would not be able to function correctly or function at all if a major part was removed. Case in point: that is called irreducible-complexity. How then, is Christianity supposed to produce results when so much of what the Bible teaches is ignored? Well, it may appear to work, since it has been around for decades/centuries; regardless, it’s only marking time, if even that.

If any religion is producing people whose lives do not, to some degree, resemble that of Jesus Christ, their teaching is in error, and therefore is false Christianity. Do our lives resemble that of Jesus Christ? If not, let us truthfully admit it and make corrections. The various, less than mediocre standards prescribed by Christianity, coupled by being bombarded with a myriad of modern life’s seemingly necessary distractions, do not allow anyone, even the most dedicated, to actively believe God in a way which produces supernatural events. Genuine limitless miracles activated by Christ-like people (Mark 9:23 – Matthew 17:21) are sorely needed to display the reality and power of Jesus Christ.

We must remember that genuine Christianity is not only for self-betterment in this world but more importantly for the continuation of Christ’s cause. If we adhere to what Christ commands (which will be an extremely difficult task, and not what religion teaches), God promises that we will fulfill, through pain and adversity, our greatest genetic capacity (becoming Christ-like) and possibly enjoy His presence in the hereafter.

Comprised of two distinct parts, genuine Christianity is unlike many other world religions such as Islam, Buddhism, Judaism, and Hinduism. The first all-important part is mostly passive in that Christians must believe what was accomplished for them by God through Christ; those who believe, He justifies (are made free of all guilt) and sanctifies (are made pure, holy and perfect). Although that belief is mostly passive, if it is genuine, it will lead to the second major part of Christianity, which is active. The initial response is relatively easy since it requires no significant action; the second absolutely essential portion is active and requires obedience to what is commanded in God’s Word the Bible. The action of the latter is not to be done so that God will find reason to approve of that life as worthy of Christianity, but to confirm that faith is genuine.

There is a wide chasm between a desire to be approved and a belief that confirms acceptance by God. Although it is extremely important to be aware of the above differences, that is not what has plagued Christianity for almost 2000 years. The problem is this: when, for whatever reason, there is little or no desire to implement the second segment which is displayed by obedience, God’s work (the first part) is nullified as not being authentic Bible-based Christianity. “You can’t have one without the other.” It is unthinkable for any human to do Christ’s part, and just as impossible for God to fulfill humanity’s obligation.