For it is by grace you have been
saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not
by works, so that no one can boast. (Ephesians 2:8-9)
Some
people say that all religions are the same.
There are superficial ways in which they are correct. All religions give
some ideas about how one should interact with the god(s), with one another and
with the universe. Many of these directions are obvious and therefore they are
found in many religions. Today's verses show why Christianity is not like the
other religions or philosophies.
If
you study the religions of the world, one of the things all but Christianity
have in common is that it is left to the follower of the religion to achieve whatever
is needed for salvation, or to reach heaven (by whatever name.) This is
precisely what one would expect from a religion designed by people. Somehow,
people can and must do it on their own. It might take several lives, but
ultimately, it's all Karma.
Christianity
is different. Christianity not only says that it's impossible to save ourselves
or to earn our way to Heaven, but that the only way to be saved or to get to
heaven is for God to accomplish it for us. Christianity also says that God is
willing and able to do just that, and provides a record of His doing so. This
is precisely the sort of thing that people would not design.
Christianity
is not like the other religions in all the ways that say clearly that it is
real and true.
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On the Calendar
Last Day of Passover
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