Can true religion be identified? “By this all will know that you are my disciples—if you have love among yourselves.”—John 13:35. WHAT THE BIBLE SAYS Illustrating how to identify those who practice true religion, the Bible says: “By their fruits you will recognize them. Never do people gather grapes from thorns or figs from thistles, do they?” (Matthew 7:16) You need not be a botanist to distinguish a fig tree from a thistle; likewise, you need not be an expert on religion to tell the true from the false. What are some of the fruits, or identifying features, of true religion? True religion teaches the truth from God’s Word, the Bible. (John 4:24; 17:17) It is not based on human philosophies. True religion helps people get to know God, including knowing his name, Jehovah.—John 17:3, 6. True religion focuses attention on God’s Kingdom, not man’s governments, as the only hope for mankind.—Matthew 10:7; 24:14. True religion promotes unselfish love. (John 13:35) It teaches people to respect all ethnic groups, to use their time and resources to help others, and to avoid sharing in the wars of the nations.—Micah 4:1-4. True religion is a way of life, not just ritual or formality. Its members practice what they preach.—Romans 2:21; 1 John 3:18.
Posted on: Tue, 12 Aug 2014 05:28:19 +0000