Tara...you do seem to have a heart for people and that is commendable. However Jesus tells us he comes with a sword...and the enemies of God would be those of their own households. One day He will come with Judgement on men who have defied Him.
The “popular” trend in many so called religious circles, as well as a worldwide push... is to promote the unity of the faiths...and the “lets all just get along” mantra. But Jesus tells us as that day approaches there will be a great falling away from the faith to “other” gospels...scripture warns of us that and the deceptions which will lead people away from the truth.
There will be a “One world Religion”...but it will not be Christian, we see the beginnings of this lining up already as many mainline religions have begun to unite...and that with those who have no belief whatsoever in Christ.
Jesus many times did more than just debate with the religious leaders of His time....Matthew 23:13-33 is an interesting read where He states, as an example:
” Woe to you teachers of the law and Pharasies..you hypocrites! You shut the kingdom of heaven in men’s faces. You yourselfs do not enter, nor will you let those enter who are trying.”
And again....another woe...”You hypocrites, you are like whitewashed tombs, which ‘look’ beautiful on the outside but on the inside are full of deadmens bones and everything unclean. In the same way you ‘appear’ to people as righteous but on the inside you are full of hyprocrisy and wickedness.”
Now these were religious teachers Tara, who Christ outright opposed...later on calling them “snakes a brood of vipers”.
So therefore one must be grounded in Gods word...and as Jesus taught. Not as man would rather like it.
We are approaching difficult times in the Christian world...Jesus tells us to “put on the whole armor of God”. A good place to get armed is in Him... by praying and to learn what He has to say. Otherwise it will be an easy thing to get caught up in the push for a “false” unity of the religions...which God never intended nor does He intend now.
I agree with you...I know that the world is headed twoards a *One World Religion* however Jesus also said
If they hated me, they will also hate you....
JOHN 15:18
If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first.
John 16:33 “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
Acts 14:22 strengthening the disciples and encouraging them to remain true to the faith. “We must go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of God,” they said.
Jesus has won this battle, we are to endure without becoming like the world...No dis-respect to people here on this thread, but many have posted words like the world and not of Christ....
Jesus never tried to convince people of who he was, what he did reflected who he was....