In the famous story of Paul and Silas in the Philippian jail, the jailer cries out, "What must I do to be saved?" It is this fundamental question that draws the line between Christianity and every other religion on the planet. There is a common thread in world religions. Salvation, if it is to be obtained, is accomplished by being good. Various religions have various versions. In some you get multiple lives to arrive at perfection. In others you just have to be more good than bad. Still, all religions are morality plays to which you must conform to get to that better place beyond this life. All religions, that is, except Christianity.
What is interesting to me is the lack of an answer in other religions to the fundamental question we all face in life -- What do I do with this mess? You know. We're all human. We all make mistakes. We all make a mess of things. What do I do with this mess? The best answer is "Ignore it" because, well, you just need to be less of a mess than others. The worst answer is "You'll grow out of it" as if someone has ever seen this in anyone at all. Christianity alone has an answer to the question.
I recently read a conversation online (if I could find it, I'd reference it) about whether or not Christ died for our sins. One well-meaning believer said that God could save on a whim if He wanted to, but He didn't. This completely ignores the problem of justice. The question, "What do I do with this mess?" begs that question of justice. We intrinsically know that there is a debt to pay. Just forgetting the debt on a whim doesn't satisfy the problem.
Most religions have prophets and preachers, morals and martyrs, saviors and saints. Most have a way of salvation that falls within the realm of Man to accomplish if he so desires. But only one can answer the problem of justice. Where do we go to get this debt problem settled? What must I do to be saved? There is no other name given under heaven by which we must be saved. There is no other religion available today that provides for a God who is both just and justifier. There is forgiveness in none other. Kind of makes Christianity unique.
3 comments:
The very topic being waged at my place, though now it may have come to an end with the progressive bailing. Christ died for our sins. Seems like an essential doctrine to me. His death saves us from the penalty our sinfulness deserves. His death, should we accept Him as Savior, gains our salvation and allows us to fully access God's grace. OR as is said in the Bible, we are saved by grace THROUGH Christ's death on the cross. Amen.
I went and looked and didn't find that debate, but you're right. Saved by the blood, not in spite of it.
At the risk of engaging in shameless self-promotion, the latest incarnation of this debate began, as it often does, digressing from the posted topic. You can find it here, if you haven't by now.
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