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Not All The Same


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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