There are so many religions in the world, why is Christianity any different? Don’t they basically all teach the same thing? You may be shocked by the answer.
Many years ago in Auckland, New Zealand, a man tried skydiving for the first time. He was so overwhelmed by the free-fall that he forgot to pull his ripcord. His friends saw him plummet to the ground. Fortunately, he landed on a freshly plowed field, breaking one of his legs with the bone sticking vertically out. He looked up at his friends and said, “Boy, did I blow it.” Whatever you do, don’t blow it for eternity. There’s nothing more important than your eternal salvation.
To some, all religions seem the same; it doesn’t matter which one you choose, as long as it works for you. But to others, the decision is agonising because it determines where they’ll spend eternity. Many people believe in heaven, but fewer believe in hell, even though the Bible teaches its reality. Some think God is too good to create a terrible place like hell. Yet, consider this: in February 2005, a nine-year-old girl from Tampa, Florida, was brutally raped and buried alive. How do you feel about the man who did that? Anger is a natural reaction, and if God didn’t care about such evil, it would reveal something horrible about His character.
God’s anger toward wickedness is evidence of His goodness. If God is good, He must be outraged by acts of evil. Therefore, it makes sense there is a place of punishment called hell.
Many people believe that God’s goodness will mean forgiveness for everyone, allowing all to enter heaven. However, when Moses asked to see God’s glory, God told him that he could not see Him and live. The fire of God’s goodness would have consumed Moses instantly because of his sinfulness. Only those who are pure in heart can stand in God’s presence, which Jesus clarified by saying, “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.”
The question of heaven and hell is paramount. Do you think everyone goes to heaven? Many people feel God wouldn’t send anyone to hell, but this reveals a misunderstanding of His character. God’s anger at wickedness and His desire for justice highlight the reality of both heaven and hell.
In Christianity, God Himself provides a solution for our predicament: Jesus Christ. Just as a parachute can save you from the law of gravity, Christ provides salvation from the consequences of God’s moral law. Jesus took the punishment upon Himself and satisfied God’s wrath, allowing us to receive forgiveness and eternal life. God can justify you, cleanse you, and grant you righteousness on the Day of Judgment. All you need to do is repent and put your trust in Jesus Christ.
Think of four major religions: Hinduism, Buddhism, Islam, and Christianity. Only Christianity offers a parachute to save us from sin and death. Hinduism teaches reincarnation, Buddhism suggests life and death are illusions, and Islam prescribes good deeds to outweigh sins. However, only Christianity addresses sin’s consequences and offers a Saviour who bore our punishment.
God’s gift to you is the salvation offered through Jesus Christ. Accept it by turning from sin and trusting in Him alone. If you do, you’ll pass from death to life.
This message is good news for everyone, whether Hindu, Muslim, Jew, Buddhist, atheist, agnostic, or anyone else.