If anyone teaches a different doctrine and does not agree with the sound words of our Lord Jesus Christ and the teaching that accords with godliness, he is puffed up with conceit and understands nothing. He has an unhealthy craving for controversy and for quarrels about words, which produce envy, dissension, slander, evil suspicions, and constant friction among people who are depraved in mind and deprived of the truth, imagining that godliness is a means of gain.

1 Timothy 6:3-5 (ESV)

There is a movement today within different church denominations calling for the joining together of different religions of the world in unity to worship God. World peace and casting aside division appear to be the motivation for its purpose. Following in a parallel track is also popular teaching in some megachurches. They state that God wants all His children to be prosperous and in good health. If we follow after God in service, we will be rewarded with many blessings.

Both of these teachings are addressed by Paul in his letter to a young pastor named Timothy. In order to unite the world’s religions to worship God, there must be an acceptance of a different doctrine than what Jesus taught. To believe that pleasing God brings health and prosperity, we must follow different teaching about godliness than what is taught in the Bible.

To worship God, we must believe in the Triune God, God the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, three in one with no beginning or end. Jesus Christ of Nazareth, virgin-born of a woman, is the eternal Word spoken in John 1:1, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.”  

Eternal Jesus became man to pay sin’s penalty. By His death, burial, and resurrection, those who believe by faith and confess that Jesus is Lord will receive eternal life. To unite the world’s religions, there must first come dissension and division away from those who believe in the words of Jesus.

To believe that accepting Jesus will improve our lives here on earth is following incorrect teaching. Paul clearly identified that those who are deprived of truth imagine “that godliness is a means of gain.” God has not promised good health, wealth, and success. God promises to provide His children and to never leave nor forsake them. The focus for Christians should be on God and not on what He can give us.

This week, recognize that religion is not the way to God, but rather it is only through a personal relationship with Jesus as Lord and Savior. Know also that as a child of God, we will receive what is best for us to draw closer to Him.