Sanctify them in the truth; Your Word is truth. John 17:17

Here's a question: can you tell me what would be the difference between the following two statements:

1. When I go out on a speaking trip, I come home to the wife.

2. When I go out on a speaking trip, I come home to a wife.

Although there is only one word changed in the two sentences, that one word makes a big difference. Congratulations if you figured out the difference.

I offer you my congratulations because not everybody can see such distinctions. At least that appears to be the conclusion of a recent in-depth study made by the Barna Group.

After interviewing 2,000 people, Barna found that 50 percent of Americans believe the Bible, the Islamic Qur'an, and the Book of Mormon are different ways of expressing the same truths.

In other words, one-half of America's Christians believe these three books are just different paths that lead to the same destination ... different roads which lead to the same god.

That's an interesting idea. If those folks are right, that means we could get rid of two of those books, and it wouldn't make any difference.

So why don't we try an experiment:

1. Let's go to people of Islam and tell them we're going to get rid of all the Qur'ans. Then let's tell them they don't have to worry because, since all holy books are the same, they can have the Bible, which will take them to heaven: a Christian heaven.

Do you think the people of Islam would have any objection to your suggestion?

2. Let's round up all the Mormons and ask them to turn in their Books of Mormon. Then, when they've gladly done as we asked, let's tell them that since they still have the Holy Bible they're going to be just fine. The Bible will take them to heaven.

Do you think these Latter Day Saints would say, "Great by us. After all, all the holy books are basically the same"? Or do you think they might maintain there are differences?

Nobody from these other religions would find such a thing acceptable. They remember Jesus said, "... Nobody comes to the Father except through Me" (John 14:6b). If Jesus was right -- and He was -- that means these other books are wrong.

And they are.

THE PRAYER: Dear Lord, I give thanks that Your Word is truth. With faith founded on that Word, may we hold fast to Jesus, the Savior who is the only way to heaven. In His Name. Amen.

In Christ I remain His servant and yours,

Today's Bible Readings: 1 Samuel 20-21    Psalms 34    Luke 21:20-38

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