I’ve talked to so many people lately who equate spirituality with being in a right relationship with God.
I remember a conversation I had with a close relative about the subject of salvation. She said, “Don’t go preaching to me about Jesus Christ. I’m much more spiritual than you’ll ever be.”
How sad that she thought her own spirituality was equal to the work of Jesus Christ on the cross.
It’s not. You can be very spiritual. In fact, we humans were made by God in His image to be spiritual beings with the capacity of thinking and wondering about spiritual matters.
Even people who claim to know about God and who pray to Him don’t necessarily know God.
There are a lot of spirit entities hovering about in this world, ready to mislead and deceive people into believing that they are a god to believe in. Worse, these spirits also try to deceive some people into believing that they do not need a god because the people themselves are gods!
So don’t be comforted, Christian friend, just because a dear friend or relative who’s about to die says “I pray to god every day so I’m going to heaven.”
Just what god is your friend praying to?
If your friend has not confessed Jesus Christ as his or her only payment for sin, then find a way to explain to them the way of salvation.
Just any God is not good enough. Only Jesus Christ paid for your sin. Think about all the major religions of the world. Which founder made the claim that he can cover all your sin? Completely and forever?
Which of these founders came back to life after being confirmed dead?
None but Jesus.
My spirituality will not save me. My spirituality is only evidence that a loving God made me in His image.
Many spiritual people are going to hell!
So when someone tells you he or she prays to God, find out which 
God. Not just any god will do.
“Many deceivers, who do not acknowledge Jesus Christ as coming in the flesh, have gone out into the world. Any such person is the deceiver and the antichrist. Watch out that you do not lose what you have worked for, but that you may be rewarded fully. Anyone who runs ahead and does not continue in the teaching of Christ does not have God.” (1 John 1: 7-9 NIV Bible)
Amen, Dena!
People tend to treat spiritual things as a smorgasbord. In the Book of Judges, there’s a scripture that says every man did what was right in his own eyes. We see this happening today. Bottom Line – God is the ultimate authority in such matters.
Susan, I’ve often remembered the verse about each man doing what was right in his own eyes. I agree, it sure looks like today! Praise God, we have Him within to counsel and guide us.
Thank you Dena! A wonderful post about truth! I have been struggling with this very issue with the sudden death of my cousin. I have no idea if she is a true believer. The only thing I know is she credits Jesus in healing of her addictions to drugs and alcohol. I guess I will have to find hope in that. Susan is right that God is the ultimate authority but we know clearly that it states that unless you confess and are born again you are not saved. Salvation is not by works but by the blood of Jesus.
Robin, I can relate, because I’m not sure where a lot of my relatives are who’ve passed on. We have a great a great compelling from God to pray each day for our loved ones! (And I know that you do.)