Home |  The value of knowing the true God

Today, despite the enormous progress in civilization, we find many people who go through difficult times fraught with danger. Making a living has become an ordeal to many, with more and more people all over the world suffering from poverty. Add to this the increase of violence and evils in different parts of the world. In the face of these problems, it is but natural for people to seek solutions. They may try to find comfort in abundant wealth, or perhaps in being highly educated, or even in having power over others. But what problem should all people strive diligently to solve? What should we all understand concerning our life on earth? Our Lord Jesus Christ teaches us:

Do you gain anything if you win the whole world but lose your life? Of course not! There is nothing you can give to regain your life" (Mk 8:36-37, TEV)

We only have one life to live. Once we lose it, we cannot have it again. Nothing in this world - in fact, not even the whole world -can be compared to the value of being alive. Why is it very urgent for us to find the means to preserve this precious life? What will endanger this one life we now possess?

"And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment." (Hebrew 9:27 NKJV)

Two things have been appointed by God to all human beings: death and judgment. These are the two gravest problems we all face. Death, as we all know is when our breath ends and we are taken to our graves. But what is the judgment people will have to face? The Bible explains:

"But the heavens and the earth which are now preserved by the same word, reserved for fire until the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly" (II Pt.3:7. Ibid)

The ungodly or sinful people will be judged to suffer by fire on the day of judgment. This fate is worse than the death of our physical bodies. It is torment forever without any rest, (Rev. 14:10-11, Ibid.) Therefore, not only does man need to find solutions to life's current problems; he must also find a way to overcome death and escape judgment. You maybe wondering, dear friend, if it is really possible to win against death and judgment. The Bible which contains the words of God, will show us how. While others consider wealth as their most important possession, the Bible teaches that a man's riches cannot save him from death.

"Do not be afraid when one becomes rich, when the glory of his house is increased, For when he dies he shall carry nothing away; His glory shall not descend after him." (Ps. 49:16-17, Ibid)

Like what happened to all those who have lived before us, riches will not keep us from dying. Neither can we take anything with us when we go to our graves. None of our wealth, glory or success can ever solve the problem of death. Moreover, when judgment day comes, can wealth or anything we have amassed in this present life save us from being condemned because of our sins?

"On the day when the Lord shows his fury, not even all their silver and gold will save them. The whole earth will be destroyed by the fire of His anger. He will put an end - a sudden end to everyone who lives on earth." (Zeph.1:18, TEV)

Worldly possessions cannot save us from God's anger when He brings us to judgment by eternal fire. We should remember that time is running out on everyone because death may strike us any moment. Likewise, the day of judgment is much nearer now than ever before because the signs Jesus spoke about (Mt.24:3, 6:8,NKJV) have already happened and are presently taking place. These events are proofs that we are indeed at the last days. How can we overcome the two gravest problems which we all face? Our Lord Jesus Christ reveals to us the only solution for both problems:

"And so I tell you, Peter: you are a rock, and on this rock foundation I will build my Church, and not even death will ever be able to overcome it."(Mt.16:18,TEV)

Christ build His Church with the promise that death will not overcome it. This means that the members of His Church will eventually triumph over death when they shall be resurrected. (I Thes.4:16, NKJV) What about salvation from judgment? Whom will Jesus, the Savior, save when Judgment day arrives?

"For a husband has authority over his wife just as Jesus has authority over the Church; and Christ is himself the Savior of the church, his body" (Eph.5:23,TEV)

Christ is Himself the Savior of the Church. The Bible does not say "all churches" or "any church" will be saved, but only "the Church" founded by Christ - the Church of Christ (Acts 20:28, Lamsa Translation). We need the Church of Christ because it is the only Church for which Christ gave His life. (Eph.5:25,TEV) and which He purchased or redeemed from sin (Acts20:28, Lamsa Translation) In what way can a member of the true Church of Christ win over death when he is already dead? Jesus makes this promise:

"And it is the will of him who sent me that I should not lose any of all those he has given me, but that I should raise them all to life on the last day." (Jn.6:39, TEV)

It is God's will that the people He gave to Christ will be raised to life on the last day. How does God give people to Christ?

"God is to be trusted, the God who called you to have fellowship with His Son Jesus Christ, our Lord."(I Cor.1:9, Ibid)

God calls people first and brings them to have fellowship with His Son. Where is the place of fellowship or union between Jesus Christ and those called by God? If one receives God's call, where must he be found?

"The peace that Christ gives is to guide you in the decisions you make; for it is to this peace that God has called you together in the one body. And be thankful" (Col. 3:15, Ibid)

All people who respond to God's call must be together in the one body. This body is the Church:

"He is the head of his body, the church." (Col. 1:18, Ibid)

Therefore, all who are called by God are in the one body of Christ, which is His Church. They are the ones given by God to Christ and are promised to be raised from death. Thus, salvation from judgment as well as resurrection to everlasting life depends primarily on a person's relationship with Christ as a member of His Church. How does the Bible substantiate the importance of being in the Church of Christ in order to have relationship with Christ?

"We are parts of his body. That's why a man will leave his father and mother and be united with his wife, and the two will be one. This is a great mystery. (I'm talking about Christ's relationship to the church) But every husband must love his wife as he loves himself, and wives should respect their husband."(Eph.5:30-32)

Notice that the scriptural verse quoted by Apostle Paul concerns the true marriage before God wherein the husband and wife become one and cannot be separated by anyone. (Mt.19:5-6, TEV). That inseparable union is a great mystery that applies, as Apostle Paul states, to the relationship of Christ and His Church. No one can separate Christ from the true Church. One cannot simply say he accepts Christ and not His Church - the Church of Christ (or Iglesia ni Cristo in Filipino). Why do we emphasize this true union that a person must have with Christ? Consider this reason:

"For just as all people die because of their union with Adam, in the same way all will be raised to life because of their union with Christ." (I Cor.15:22, Ibid)

Therefore, we need to find the true Church of Christ today because becoming a member of this Church means receiving the great promise of being raised from death to eternal life on the appointed day. We would like to help you in your search for the truth and for the one true Church of Christ.

This page is maintained and managed by Romano D.

For comments and suggestion you may contact the author. Back to top or index