How many who think they have a good religion are hiding from the true God

Religions – love them or hate them – they are everywhere and some are worse than others.

Judaism, Islam, Catholicism, Seventh Day, Jehovah’s Witnesses, Mormons, satanists, pagans for example –  they all have long lists of things followers must do and must not do.

True Christianity on the other hand, is very different: the Bible talks about the freedom that a true believer has – freedom from heavy sets of rules and regulations…totally different from all other religions and a strange concept for most… 

Because of this, Christianity has often been described as ‘the only true religion that is about a person and position instead of a set of rules or behaviours.’

First off, we need to seperate True Christianity from a number of the false beliefs that claim to be ‘christian’. It may be a shock to learn that the below list of religions are not christian.  

• Catholicism ¹Doctrine contradicts the Bible in a number of ways, states that ‘good works’ are required for the person to be saved, adds unbiblical tradition 
• Mormonism ²Doctrine contradicts the Bible in many ways, states that ‘good works’ are required for the person to be saved, uses an alternative, contradictory text, says Jesus is the brother of the devil  
• Jehovah’s Witness ³Doctrine contradicts the Bible in many ways, states that ‘good works’ are required for the person to be saved, deny the Words and Identity of Jesus, have higher allegiance to the Watchtower than scripture  
• Seventh Day Adventist ⁴Doctrine contradicts the Bible in a number of ways, states that ‘good works’ are required for the person to be saved 

It may be obvious, but other religions stray even further from what the Bible states: Islam for instance, worships a different God than the God of the Bible, places long lists of demands on followers and encourages forced or even violent persuasion of ‘converts’: the exact opposite of what the Bible teaches ⁵Bless those who persecute you – Jesus . 

So what is Christianity? 

Here’s a quick summary, which may be different than what you think or have heard. 

Jesus, the Son of God, is the King of the Universe. He came to earth, died on the cross to pay for the sins of world, rose again and ascended to Heaven where He rules. Oh, and He is coming back to usher in those he redeemed into Heaven for eternity. 

Those of us who respond to His message, decide to follow Him, are forgiven, cleansed and transformed into new people with a new heart & desire. They are adopted as sons of God. 

And, while there are things He instructs His followers – even commands…none of them are things that the person has to do to earn or stay ‘forgiven’. That is already taken care of remember? The huge sacrifice of Jesus’ death is HUGE – far larger than needed to forgive anyone & anything. 

Interestingly, the relationship between each person and Jesus also has an individual element. This personal connection, this personal relationship, leads to a personal revelation of sin. What is sin for one person is not for another – totally different to a religion with one set of rules for everyone. 

While Mormons are told they can not drink coffee, Christians can choose – for some it is sin, for others it is not. For some, worshipping on Sunday or anyway is fine – for others it has to be Saturday (Sabbath). For some, any food is fine, for others, certain foods are out – whether it be pig, seafood or meat altogether. 

God, using His Spirit, convicts people individually on a range of issues. 

But there is also a clear standard for all: sexual sin, adultery, sex before marriage, fornication (pornography etc), getting drunk, harbouring unforgiveness, that is all out. Followers are told to forgive, to be selfless and to show love to everyone, even their enemies.

Another thing that separates Christianity from all other religions: God Himself helps each person to fulfil the standard that He requires from them! 

It is worlds apart from a standardised religion – it stands alone. Why? 

Because it is the only one where the Leader is actually alive! 

Then some women from our group of his followers were at his tomb early this morning, and they came back with an amazing report. 23 They said his body was missing, and they had seen angels who told them Jesus is alive! 24 Some of our men ran out to see, and sure enough, his body was gone, just as the women had said.” Luke 24:22-24 (NLT)

Buddha? Joseph Smith? Muhammad? Russel Tazel? Ellen Wright? They are all dead. They never cheated, let alone defeated death – so how could they offer personalised help or companionship? They can’t. 

Religion is dead but Jesus is Alive! 

Conclusion: Submit to Him, Follow Him, Live with Him today – now and forever. 

Lord, please forgive us for the way that we have tried to make You in our own image or fit You into a box. Help us to understand who You are and what You require. And please help us to allow You to get close to us even when we are uncomfortable or have done the wrong thing. 

Footnotes:

• 1
  Doctrine contradicts the Bible in a number of ways, states that ‘good works’ are required for the person to be saved, adds unbiblical tradition
• 2
  Doctrine contradicts the Bible in many ways, states that ‘good works’ are required for the person to be saved, uses an alternative, contradictory text, says Jesus is the brother of the devil
• 3
  Doctrine contradicts the Bible in many ways, states that ‘good works’ are required for the person to be saved, deny the Words and Identity of Jesus, have higher allegiance to the Watchtower than scripture
• 4
  Doctrine contradicts the Bible in a number of ways, states that ‘good works’ are required for the person to be saved
• 5
  Bless those who persecute you – Jesus