Can Divine Inspiration Be Found in Other Religions?

Can divine inspiration be found in other religions or could they be inspired by Satan.

That is one of the questions will be answering on today's addition of core Christianity hi this is Bill Meyer along with Pastor Israel Sanchez and this is the radio program where we answer your questions about the Bible and the Christian life every day. You can call us right now with your question. At 833 the core that's 1-833-843-2673 also post your question on our Facebook, Instagram or twitter accounts and you can watch a drill right now live on YouTube and send us a message through our YouTube channel course you can always email us your question at questions@corechristianity.com. Today we received this voicemail from one of our callers having to do with the verse in Psalm 118, 1880. You might yeah thank you for that question Blakely skin had been getting a lot of questions about the COBIT 19 mixing over the last few weeks as I know this is something a lot of people's minds. Someone hundred and 18 verse eight. It is better to trust in the Lord in the put confidence in men and so does this mean that getting something like the vaccine would be a lack of trust in God will know why. I don't think that that's the case at all. You know what we believe in common grace. We believe that God uses things like science and medicine to help people that God can work in and through those things sort of reminded of the encounter that Jesus had with the evil one with Satan when he was tempted in the wilderness. If you remember in Matthew chapter 4 is in verse five, and the devil took him to the holy city, and set him on the pinnacle of the temple and said to him, if you are the son of God, throw yourself down.

For it is written, he will give.

He will command his angels concerning you, and on their hands they will bear you up, lest you strike your foot against a stone's. In other words, Satan is telling Jesus the son of God. Don't you trust God, you know you just you can throw yourself down. And the angel supposed to bear you up, and in the response of our Lord. The wise response of our Lord is again it is written, you shall not put the Lord your God to the test and so my concern is that we don't test the Lord by our our actions now.

Again, this is a complex question that the question of of vaccines, but I wouldn't say that an individual who gets the vaccine is not trusting in the Lord. I think there are many people are just think boy. Thank you Lord for the advances in modern technology that help to deal with diseases like the ones were sicknesses like the ones were were experiencing today and so it can be just a way of giving thanks to the Lord doesn't have to be an issue if I don't trust God against complex and feel free to follow-up.

Thank you for that question you're listening to core Christianity with Pastor Israel Sanchez.

Our phone lines are open right now. If you have a question about the Bible. Maybe there's a Bible passage that has confused you in the past and you want some clarification on it will and real love to take those questions. So feel free to give us a call 833 the core that's 833. The core let's go to Duncan whose calling in from Ottawa, Canada. Duncan, thanks so much for listening in Canada what your question for Pastor Israel, our Lord, calling show I've ever heard. Now my question, Pastor Sanchez, could you please explain you please find the prayer of faith described in James chapter 5 verse 14 and 15 prayer. Pray and in times of misfortune. I love the section in James's letter is one that I refer to oftentimes Duncan. By the way, thank you for your encouragement, I refer to this this section. Oftentimes this is an elder is a pastor in the church is something we do. We pray that prayer of faith for those who are sick and and struggling because James says beginning in verse 13 of chapter 5 is anyone among you suffering. Let them pray.

Is anyone cheerful let him sing praise. Is anyone among you sick let them call for the elders of the church and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord and the prayer of faith will save the one who is sick little raise them up and if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. Therefore confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed.

So there's a lot going on there. There is prayer for the sick. There's also confession of sin and a prayer for for healing for for healing in the spirit, if you will, and it's something that churches are called to do if you're part of a church and in your struggling with what James is your your sick you have some ailment it's okay go to the elders of your church, point them in James chapter 5 and say that I need prayer. I want prayer that the Lord might heal me now course, we know Duncan the Lord doesn't always choose to heal him and we trust in his sovereign will. But we are called to come before him, looking to him and it's interesting because throughout James's letter. He talks a lot about faith.

He talks about praying for wisdom and asking in faith. Let not that man doubt you know who asked for wisdom. If he doubts his neck and receive anything from the Lord.

And so I think this idea of the prayer of faith, what you see throughout the book of James Duncan's is not a particular form of prayer, so it's not you know that this prayer that was floating around in the first century. The disciples were using and reciting its praying, believing that the Lord is who he says he is and that he's able to heal that he hears us, dragged out of the Hebrew says in Hebrews chapter 11 without faith it is impossible to please God, for he who comes to God must must believe that he is and that he is a rewarder of those who diligently seek him.

And so were called to pray believing believing what believing that God is able. I'm about to preach through the first part of Genesis chapter 18 this week and there's this question that supposed to Abraham and to Sarah there is anything too hard for the Lord. It's a rhetorical question, of course, the answer is no to the prayer of faith. This is a prayer offered up knowing that that's the truth, knowing that there is nothing too hard for the Lord that we can come before him confident knowing that he is able to heal and to restore us. That's the prayer of faith. Thank you Duncan for again for your encouragement and for giving us a call.

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Here's the number it's 833-843-2673. That's 833 the core there's a voicemail we received earlier this week from one of our listeners named Marilyn about how Christianity went a little bit after that very and I was wondering if the berries can still be finally inspired because I practitioner that is them for a long time.

Like he said a lot of things that Jesus said I don't know if he got it from the Bible that would be doubtful part of the divinely inspired, or if you think that what was inspired by light satanically inspired. I'd like to see what you have to say about that thinking well thank you for that question. Maryland now.

I think that I would.

I would first want to say that when it when it comes to other religions of the world other world religions or spiritual beliefs that they are not divinely inspired that they were inspired in the same way that Christianity was inspired of the holy Scriptures were inspired. And yet, that doesn't mean that there aren't elements of truth in each of the systems.

One of the things we believe in is that the that the created world around us reveals things about God reveals to us that God is the creator that God is all-powerful, we have this sense of right and wrong. I deep down inside of us. The sort of moral law that's written on our hearts. And so that's something that's universal. The psalmist said in Psalm chapter 19 the heavens declare the glory of God and the firmament shows his handiwork. Day and today utters speech, and night unto night reveals knowledge. And so you would expect to find. I think elements of truth.

Truth true teachings true moral teachings and other world religions and and that kind of thing it so it insofar as that's the case, we can say yeah that's that's real.

That's that's true yet what they're missing is the kernel of Christianity. And that's the gospel that's the gospel and that's what saves this week we were not saved by gazing up at the stars are studying the trees. Those things reveal something to us about God that he's the creator, but forgot to know God personally and have a relationship with him the kind of relationship he intends for us to have a reconciled relationship that can only come through God's special revelation which is inspired by God found in the holy Scriptures. Now it is the case I would save that the evil one. Satan does sword seek to deceive people through these other world religions and and oftentimes you know that the way in which the that the devil deceives is is not by making everything in these systems, a lie, but by shrouding the, the, the light together with truth is sort of a mixture of truth and error and this is precisely what the apostle said would happen, the apostle Paul writing to the Corinthians in second Corinthians chapter 11 says verse 14. No wonder even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. So it is no surprise if his servants also disguise themselves as servants of righteousness there and will correspond to their deeds. As a what is this mean for us. I think what it means in terms of knowing God and embracing the truth of religion if you will stick to stick to what is inspired that is the holy Scriptures, the revelation given to us by God through his son Jesus Christ. But that is when you look at everything else outside as totally bad as everything is wrong or false. We can say oh yeah, you know, there are elements of truth there that we would say maybe were divided derived just do that sort of common grace to that general revelation that God gives to the whole world as we can affirm that, while also disagreeing with the areas that contradict God's revealed word seems to me to be what what the apostle Paul did in places like acts chapter 17 when he was speaking at the Areopagus, you know, encouraging people there by preaching the gospel and affirming certain things that they had believed in or embraced but but correcting in and challenging in some ways to leave them further deeper into the truth. Based on what God had revealed through his son Jesus and so appreciate that question. Such a good question and I pray that your blessed. I'm guessing it really would also say that when were talking to a nonbeliever.

What say we meet somebody at Starbucks or whatever and were getting into a conversation. Sometimes that's a great place to join them on the things that we find in common like yeah boy does seem like the world is messed up why you think that is and then to go from there into helping them understand the truth of God's word. Yeah, I mean what we find in Scripture's is the perfect revelation given to us from God. And so while you might finding of certain moral truth and other places you don't have the whole story and often times that if if they take away if they take our eyes off of Jesus is a big problem. So the goal is always to get to the gospel to get to Jesus and oftentimes we can get a find common ground and then go to Christ. From there, and I think that's a helpful apologetic technique you're listening to core Christianity with pastor Israel Sanchez. Let's go to Mike in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Mike what your question mark call. I'd like to see if you could clarify something for me reading chapters 5, verse three through 54325 where it says something about mold immorality and agreed where where there's no place for people like this in the kingdom. Could you clarify this for me a little yeah well you right here in Ephesians chapter 5.

First you have this call.

Verse one.

Be imitators of God, as beloved children.

Sometimes we talk about these these two distinctions that this distinction between the imperatives in the indicative's in Scripture you have an imperative European imitator of God. Boy doesn't that sound like that's that's a ton that's a lot imitate God. Had I do that, but then he gives us is indicative truth as beloved children who peers who you are. Those of you who are in Christ. You are the beloved children of God. And so, as God's beloved children imitate him imitate the heavenly father, and walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. So you have this encouragement first to love, to serve the Lord to imitate God in in how we interact with one another and then you have a warning if you will, in verse three, but sexual immorality and all impurity or covetousness must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints and that he sees is this an and brothers and sisters here the apostle Paul here because I think his words are.

We just need to hear this today. He says let there be no filthiness nor foolish talk nor crude joking which are out of place that's out of place for you as a beloved child of God, called to imitate God but instead let there be Thanksgiving now he goes on even further in this exhortation for you may be sure of this but everyone who is sexually immoral or impure, or who is covetous that is an idolater, has no inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.

Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience.

A really what's what's happening here brother is Mike Mike.

The Lord through the apostle Paul here is encouraging us to live in light of our new identity in Jesus Christ as the beloved children of God and he's outlining what it looks like to do the opposite of that.

He said don't don't do that and let me remind you that those who do, that the people who live in this way, they have no no inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. So don't follow with them to follow suit with them.

That's not who you are. He's he's encouraging us to live holy lives on the basis of our new identity in Jesus on the fact that we have been saved. How we saved what he says it in Ephesians 2 by grace you have been saved, you note that he's not saying here do these things so that you might be saved.

That's that's absurd to get the cart before the horse you saying you are now the beloved children of God. Walk as such, and don't be characterized by the things that the people of the world are characterized by that sexual immorality that that he brought up and so it really is just an expectation there and one that we desperately need to heed today. Thanks much for your? We appreciate that this is core Christianity go to Mason in Springfield, Missouri, Mason, what your question for pastor. Israel and have a question about what kind of like the age of accountability. Given the biblical command to teach one another in all wisdom and to make disciples gave the man to make disciples of all nations.

How should we love and care for disciple our brothers and sisters, or just people, maybe even unbelievers who have developmental disorders like autism or any kind of handicap like that love to know your thoughts. Yeah, thank you for that very important question and the first thing I would say is our hope for anyone to grasp the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ is not first and foremost on that individual's cognitive abilities.

We know that there are many people who you know have sharp minds who rejected the gospel. You think of what Jesus said in Matthew chapter 11 when he was praying to the father and he said thank you, father, Lord of heaven and earth. You've hidden these things from the wise and the prudent and revealed them to the babes, the gospel is something that we understand, by the grace of the Holy Spirit. And I think that should be something that comforts each and every one of us think about this week when John the Baptist was in the womb of his mother, Elizabeth, and Elizabeth was greeted by Mary were told in the gospel of Luke that John the Baptist wept, left, excuse me, the opposite of wept. He leapt for joy in his mother's womb because somehow even there in utero. He was able to to to realized that he was in the presence of the Christ Jesus. It's a beautiful thing and and one encouragement that I would have for for all of all of you who you know this is this is your question. Just knowing that Jesus can and does work in our brothers and sisters with mental handicaps with the autistic that the spirit of God can and does work there and that the gospel is even for them now.

We don't understand how it's all going to work out, but we know that anytime anyone believes and receives the grace of God.

It's a miracle the Holy Spirit. So we pray that as well in in this situation, and we commit to loving them as if were in the context of the local church to loving them to treating them as a as a part of the body to caring for them to helping them in the context of of corporate worship and in ministering to them and so I think that's important. Treating them as as a vital part of the body. Because they are not children of God made in his image and so that's that's what I was saying and Bill.

I wonder if you would have anything to add.

With your background in counseling and therapy as well.

You know, I would say I am so appreciative of those churches that have ministries to the developmentally disabled because it is been there before.

It's a real challenge to say have a Sunday school class or maybe you have individuals who are in the worship service, who, for whatever reason might be disruptive. How do you deal with those things and I think it's it's a real blessing when a church goes out of its way to reach out to those individuals and offer them of God's love and grace of both you know through corporate worship and through. Maybe small group or Sunday school class, and I know it's I know it can be challenging at times takes the right volunteers right personnel with the right training, but I just ought to recommend those churches were doing that and I know many are doing extremely well. Yet, you know, Bill. There was a woman in our church for some time who tragically she she died.

She was older and she died during during the pandemic and she had a number of developmental issues. That is the mental health issues as well and yet only it was so wonderful to have her in our church and as a part of the body and in you know she had a hard time articulating the faith. But when we would talk about Jesus and her tears would just well up in her eyes and she was such a sweet member of the church. I think oftentimes it's it's easy for Christians to to sort of overlook what Jesus referred to as is the least of these.

I I felt like every time I had the opportunity to sit with her meet with her like the presence of Christ was there in a very special way, and it is our privilege as Christians to get to minister to these brothers and sisters and Jesus calls us to to love them and to honor them and respect them and so it really is wonderful to see would also hold churches do this and they have no ministries geared towards as you said, the developmentally disabled.

Your listing the core Christianity. Here's an email that came in from one of our listeners named Christie she says why did God free the children of Israel, only to let them wander in the desert for 40 years and then punish them for complaining. That seems cruel to me. Yeah well the you know the children of Israel wandering around in in the wilderness were not being very kind to guide you know I mean essentially what you had was unbelief, Dow and God.

One of the things he was proving over that that period of time in the wilderness was his faithfulness and he provided for them over and over and over again and yet what did they do, they grumbled against his promises state they didn't believe him when he promised to bring them into the land of Canaan. They were afraid they try to take matters into their own hands.

At times even saying we should go back to Egypt. It was better for us while we were in Egypt and so in one sense, you know that there is a warning here for all of us in the apostle Paul talked about that in the book of first Corinthians, and we don't want to be like them committing idolatry, turning away from the Lord after his goodness after his kindness to us and so they were responsible for their own wandering in the wilderness and it was the result of their sin. It wasn't that God delivered them just to cast them into the wilderness and abandon them for 40 years know over and over again. God was showing his steadfast love and faithfulness he was guiding them in the wilderness and a with with cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night. He was feeding them with manna from heaven. It was it was a picture of God's love for his people who are so prone to wander, and that's one of the big takeaways for me and for all of us. The hymn says prone to wander, Lord, I feel it, prone to leave the God I love. Here's my heart, O take and seal it, seal it for thy courts above. Thanks for listening to core Christianity request your copy of today's special offer.

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