May you have peace! [Mat 10:12-13]
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Introduction:

I came home from the Nam being more serious about life. It inspired a more focused search for God. One of my friends and fellow survivors of the Nam told me recently he believed God had a plan for him. That is a thought I would like to have as well. Problem is for me, I knew a lot of seemingly upright men who died, some leaving behind their family and already born young children. So... Whether or no I was part of God's plan in my ignorant youth, I have tried to find out what that plan is and to be part of it since I came home. Sadly, (or happily, I guess, depending on point of view) I have realized my search for truth has involved me in yet another war. [Matthew 7:15-16; Ephesians 6:10-13] And, make no mistake, similar to how my friends from Vietnam were friends largely because they were drafted and trapped there with me, YOU are caught in this war with me. We were each one drafted into it sixty centuries ago while we were still in the genetic materials of Adam and Eve. Satan drafted us into his war by deceiving or manipulating our first parents to sin, thus bringing the promised death on themselves; and dragging all of us who were unborn into their plight. [God told them they would die if they disobeyed, because He knew disobedience would bring the kind of dying world we have now created. Sin then spread to us all like the loathsome disease it is. (Rom 5:12)] Because of their rebellion, we were all born headed to the grave. (Eph 2:1-5) If you are a lover of peace and have integrity, you are hated by this law defying world and are distressed by what you see. [2 Pet 2:7-8] Thankfully, God made a way out for all who want it! (Luke 2:14 of 8-14) If you want to survive, consider these few scriptures. Know this: You are in this war and on Christ's side, or, you are against him! (Mat 12:30; Luke 11:23) There are lots of people who are ignorant about God's plan, or, are wicked and don't want to hear. Even so; many or even most people seem anxious to tell me (and you) how to please God and how to be saved. [Acts 20:29-30] So, you see, Satan not only dragged us into his war, but he raised up his legions of minions trying to lead us all astray. In the case of each group of such self-righteous religious servants of Satan, it "always" involves persuading us to become or remain an approved member of their sect (or gang). It's the same with Muslims, Jews, Catholics, Amish, Baptists, Jehovah's Witnesses, Mormons and all the other Protestants. Join "them" and you will be blessed by god, they all promise! Most of them are pleased to judge me wicked if I expose what they are, or even if I don't join them. [1 Cor 4:3] It is ever easier to see why Jesus would refer to the lying and manipulative [often religious] leaders of this world as a nest of snakes and as the offspring of vipers. [Mat 12:33-37] Please take note that such "follow me" religious sectarianism is very different from what you are hearing. In my 50 years of searching for God since Vietnam, I have never heard the simple caution you are now hearing, about the danger from the churches and other religions. What you are hearing is about Christianity and how to be cautious you really do have it. I am not starting a new cult for you to join, I'm just telling you to open the Gospels and join Christ along with those who joined him 2000 years ago. (Mark 3:31-35) Don't "follow me" or any sect or imperfect human, follow Christ! You can only do that by reading his words. (John 15:14-16) It's my own fault I didn't know about false religion earlier, you see, because Jesus did warn me (and you)! [Matthew 7:15-16; Acts 20:29-30; Mat 24:23-25] Even though I imagined I was a follower of Christ, by rather following after churches and their leaders, I just wasn't really listening to Jesus at all. I was misled for all those years by my religious affiliations. Joining one group after another, only to figure out over and over, the group I had joined weren't really following Christ. "Groups" of people don't join Christ, I finally figured out, only individuals can do so... It is a very personal matter! I had somehow imagined for many years I needed to find "the right group" to join. That is onie of Satan's tricks and is even true in a sense; but I failed to discern all I had to do was open the Gospels and actually listen to Jesus, and so seat myself at his feet among his followers. [Luke 10:22] You don't become a Christian by joining a group [a sect] of men! You can become part of the group of true Christians only by joining yourself personally to Jesus Christ. (Luke 10:20; Mark 3:31-35) And, I had failed to discern all those trying to lead me into their sect were just as lost as I had been all those years. I said earlier our nation is one of the [or is the] greatest nations that ever existed; in large measure because of the freedoms we have. One gift from God I am very thankful for is our nation has taken much of the power away from the churches to hurt their enemies. In the dark ages, under the Roman Empire with its alliance to the Holy Roman Church, those who disagreed with the church were often burned at the stake, or in other hideous ways publicly tortured to death. The dark ages church made killing people a science, sometimes taking days. William Tyndale and John Calvin and Michael Servetus were burned by the church for translating the Bible into English. Michael was burned alive... They worked to translate and share the Bible because English was the most common language of their day, while the Church's Latin was a dead language. In their mass judgment and rejection of non-members, the churches, even in our day and nation, still cause much harm. So... I've discovered a simple and wonderful solution. Let me first clarify, I am not asserting I am special and must confess "my solution" actually has nothing to do with me. God spoke to mankind in many ways through the centuries, but He is now speaking to each one of us through his son. [Hebrews 1:1-2] Since Jesus started teaching, God has given only one command: "This is my beloved son, listen to him." [Matthew 17:5] My secret is we can still today sit at the feet of Christ and listen to him explain to us personally how to pray and how to worship his Father. We do that by simply reading the Gospels. Choosing to sit at the feet of Christ in that way makes us part of his family. [Mark 3:31-35] What is happening to our world is the revelation of, and/or an awakening to, truth. You are in danger, though: You must be careful that what you learn from God's son actually comes from the lips of Christ. [Mat 7:15; Acts 20:29-30] So... Don't listen to me and don't listen to any other religious person beyond our directions to Christ. [John 5:44] Read for yourself the Gospel records of Jesus's life and teachings, as penned by Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. It means your very life. [John 17:1-3; 1 John 5:19-21] Listening to Jesus's words is how you take in God's spirit. [John 6:63] All during my combat tour in Vietnam, I believed everything would be alright. Now, in the midst of this tribulation of a dying world, I once again believe everything will be alright; for each and every person listening to and obeying God's son. [Luke 6:46] While much or most of the world is on track to death, Christ is providing life for those expressing faith in him. Doesn't that require you first have to know him?