It is Done!

Often people look at the large number of religions in the world and use that fact to dismiss them all. Its either too hard to find the truth or it obviously that none knows or it does not matter. I can understand this because it is difficult to work out what the differences are and where the truth may lie. But it is a dangerous stance to take because what happens if one of them is right?

I say this because many religions, Christianity included, make bold claims about themselves - what will happen to those who believe and who don’t believe, what awaits us when we die, or how to live life now for our own or society’s best interests. You can’t simply ignore them and go on your own way as if it does not matter. What if one of them were right? Where would that leave you?

It leaves us with a dillema which one is right? The problem is that not only are there lots of religions but they are almost always exclusive and contradictory. They all cannot be right!

I believe in Christianity because it makes sense to me. It makes sense of what I observe in the world about God, about creation and about humanity. It stands out from the multitude of other religions for me in three important ways:

Christianity claims to come from God not man. That is Christianity claims that it is not a philosophy that finds its source in human thinking (such as Buddhism) but is a teaching that has been handed down from God. God reveals himself to us and in so doing shows us who we are as well. Christianity is not unique in this claim but it is important note because if it does not come from God then we could not be certain we have got it right.

Where Christianity is unique though is in its claim that everything has been done for us Every other religion is about what we have to do to gain enlightenment, or Nivanah or get to heaven etc. Christianity is unique in that it states that we cannot do anything to be right with God but that he has done it all for us. Imagine that I don’t have to be good to be a Christian, I don’t have to go to church to be a Christian, I don’t have to act in a particular way to be a Chrisian. All has been done for me by Jesus Christ dying on the cross. All I have to do is accept this gift.

Don’t get me wrong. Christianity is has a moral living aspect to it but I live the ethical life BECAUSE I am a Christian not in ORDER TO BECOME a Christian. Show me another religion that says I don’t have to do anything!

And this leads me to the third aspect of Christianity that makes it unique - it is about relationship with God not about what we do. God is all of this for us because he loves us and wants us to turn back to him. He is more interested in having a restored relationship with us and has therefore done what he could to reconcile us to himself. This is more important to him than rituals, services, what we eat or what we do. Every aspect of Christian living is about this relationship - prayer, bible reading and church are all expressions of relationship with God. Which other religion talks about such things?

So I challenge, don’t stick your head in the sand because you think it is too hard - have a look, it may change your life!

Your Comments:

It is a false assumption and false dichotomy that the state is ecular and the chruch is sacred. This then led to religion vs. no religion dichotomy. These ideas were developed using the dualistic mindset of the pagan Greeks. tHUS christians agreed with the Pagan definitions of religion. All of life is religious. There is no such thing as Religion vs No Religion. The issue has always been WHOSE RELIGION - God the Creator or Man the creature. When it is thus presented in this way Life- all of life is religious. There are only two religions in the world today - God’s revelation and man’s research. Tere is absolute need for CHRIST to be taken out of Christianity and presented as the Bible presented Him. Let all creatures then decide either He is the LORD of all or He is not Lord at all.

Mesia Novau on 04/11/2008

what if you don’t believe in relegion, so much people have their own relegions that you don’t know witch one is the truth but what if you don’t believe but you truly believe in the bible you walk right with God and believe that he came to earth and die for your sins and die again.

jorge on 07/11/2008

I personly see things as David has written about christianity and totally agree. I also believe there is a spiritual battle going on that is distracing people from even searching the truth about life. The way I understand things, it’s God who enables us to receive faith in him. You could share the same words to the same crowd and whom ever God enlightens only is able to recieves its message. Others are just not ready for the word or its not God,s timing for them. This is how I understand it anyway correct or not I’m not sure??. Only God knows I guess.

STEVE on 01/12/2008

Ecclesiasticus Chapter 51
7 I was completely surrounded, there was no one to help me; I looked for someone to help me, there was no one
11 And my plea was heard, for you saved me from destruction, you delivered me from that time of evil.
13 When I was still a youth, before I went travelling, in my prayers I asked outright for wisdom.
14 Outside the sanctuary I would pray for her, and to the last I shall continue to seek her.
16 By bowing my ear a little, I have received her, and have found much instruction.
17 Thanks to her I have advanced; glory be to him who has given me wisdom!
20 I have directed my soul towards her, and in purity I have found her; having my heart fixed on her from the outset, I shall never be deserted;
21 my very core having yearned to discover her, I have now acquired a good possession.
22 In reward the Lord has given me a tongue with which I shall sing his praises.
24 Why complain about lacking these things when your souls are so thirsty for them?
30 Do your work before the appointed time and at the appointed time he will give you your reward. (Subscript:) Wisdom of Jesus, son of Sira.

Charles on 02/12/2008

I Agree With Steve. Only the Elect are saved.
If you are somebody who has no care for the bible and the things of God, then thats because your name isnt written in the book of life in the first place.
Those whom God has called hear their Shepherd’s voice.

Roy Henderson on 30/12/2008

Thank you David, and well done on your posting. It is that simple, its not what we do at all it is what God has done for us on the cross. Jesus did not die so that we can sit here and type in objections or debate religion, in fact Jesus did not come into this world to start a religion but to fulfil the scriptures (God revealing himself to us throught the word). Peace be to all who believe in the name of Jesus and peace be to those who are still searching for the truth.

Craig on 01/01/2009

I think some of you have the wrong image of God. He does not have a list of those who WILL be saved but one of who ARE saved. He loves ALL of His creation and therefore does not simply give up on those who do not care about the Bible or the things of God. They are the people who He tells us to be a light to. Don’t give up on someone just because they don’t like the Bible or are skeptical of it. Yes there are some people who have hardened their hearts and who will not be saved, but that is no excuse to give up on those who show the slightest sign of opposition to Christianity. God put us on this earth to be fishers of men. So go get them :)

Jamie on 04/01/2009

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