I love those who love me, and those who seek me diligently find me. Proverbs 8:17

At the back of our property, I usually left the car parked and unlocked because we lived in a safe neighborhood.  One day, I opened the door of my car and there on the front seat was a pamphlet that read “The Whore of Babylon” and it went on to read all sorts of accusations against the Catholic church.  My first reaction was shock!  Why would someone open my car door and  leave a pamphlet in my car?  Was this a threat to my family?   The pamphlet had some  pretty strong words against the Catholic Church.  My second reaction was curiosity… why would someone say this about a Church.  I never knew who placed the pamphlet in my car or why.  Needless to say, my car was always locked from that point on….goodbye safe neighborhood.

Even well-meaning people spread untruths unintentionally.  Why?  Because they believe something at face value rather than researching the truth themselves.   The pamphlet may have delayed my seeking what the Catholic Church believed…but even I (a Protestant) knew that spreading such vile stuff like this at a Church founded by Christ was wrong.

There are many divisions among Christ’s followers.  Divisions that saddens Him greatly.  We grieve His heart and yet we go to Him in our little ways complaining about those that don’t believe Him the way we do.  We, as his children, need to bow before Him in adoration, seeking His face, His comfort and guidance.

Besides the split of His children during the Reformation…we are fragmented on both sides even today.  On the one side, we see the Church Christ founded struggling between those that maintain His Church and those who are trying to adjust His Church to their liking.  On the other side, we have over 40,000+  denominations, all having their own way of interpreting scripture, even to the point of saying their interpretation is the only correct way and all others are lost.   Is it no wonder that those of the world might be confused as to what or who to believe.  Here are five things that might help you on your journey of truth.

• Know what you believe and why.

…but in your hearts sanctify Christ as Lord.  Always be ready to make your defense to anyone who demands from you an  accounting for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and reverence.  I Peter 3 ^15-16

• Read the Bible and ask God to show you His truth.

So they asked him, “Teacher, we know that you are right in what you say and teach, and you show deference to no one, but teach the way of God in accordance with truth.  Luke 20:21

• Look to the Church He founded.

Go to:  Not by Scripture Alone, By: Jim Blackburn   http://www.catholic.com/magazine/articles/not-by-scripture-alone

• Do not rely on the opinions of others when it comes to God’s truth…

(noun: opinion –  a view or judgment formed about something, not necessarily based on fact or knowledge.)

• Do not let men sway you from the truth.

In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and in view of his appearing and his kingdom, I solemnly urge you: proclaim the message; be persistent whether the time is favorable or unfavorable; convince, rebuke, and encourage, with the utmost patience in teaching. For the time is coming when people will not put up with sound doctrine, but having itching ears, they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own desires, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander away to myths. As for you, always be sober, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, carry out your ministry fully.              II Timothy 4:1-5

I continue to seek God’s truth and know that I have found it through the Bible and His Church. Remember, don’t always believe what someone leaves on the front seat of your car…or at your door, or in the mailbox or it could delay your search as it did mine.

I love those who love me, and those who seek me diligently find me. Proverbs 8:17