Religion Versus Salvation in the Philippines
In the Philippines I have seen many examples of religious expression: writings on Jeepneys that say, TO GOD BE THE GLORY, A NATION NOT FORSAKEN, and even JESUS I BELIEVE IN YOU; people say God bless you, and before deplaning after a domestic flight the attendant said to us, "Have a blessed day." Pictures intended to represent Jesus, Mary, and saints abound. On the one hand I am reminded of the apostle Paul in Athens, when he waited in the city and saw all the shrines and monuments to various gods that the people worshiped, and also one to THE UNKNOWN GOD. Paul said to the philosophers of that city, "Whom therefore ye ignorantly worship, him declare I unto you" (Acts 17:23). On the other hand I am reminded again of Paul but speaking of his fellow Israelites, also religious but not knowing God's righteousness unto salvation because they have not received Jesus Christ (John 16:3). "I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according t...