How Is Christianity Different From All Other Religions?

How does Christianity differ from all other religions of the world? Why are the differences so important?

Works

Most of the religions that I know about are based upon human works and ability. Only Christianity teaches that no one is saved by anything good they could do. Ephesians 2:8-9 are clear about the disconnect between works and salvation, “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.” For most religions of the world, it is do, do, do; but for Christians it is done! What Christ did on the cross was to take away our sins because our works would never be enough to save us since no works of the law could ever justify us (Gal 2:16). Someone once asked Jesus what works they must do to be saved and Jesus said “This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent” (John 6:29). If we have to do some work to save ourselves, then we are actually becoming our own co-redeemers with Christ and that robs glory from God.

A Relationship, not a Religion

Religion is one thing but a relationship is altogether different. The other religions of the world don’t seek to have an intimate relationship with the founder of that religion or the god that is worshiped. They can be distant, unknowable, and sometimes totally separated from their followers. This is not so with Christianity because it’s not about religion; it’s about a relationship with Jesus Christ. Jesus says “Come to Me” so that you can have eternal life and “this is eternal life, that they know you the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent” (John 17:3). Just before Jesus went to the cross to die and eventually go back to the Father, He said “No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you” (John 15:15). Now isn’t “friend” more intimate than worshiping some ethereal object, goal, or deity?

Who seeks Who?

Most religions have the followers seek after their gods or their “path” or “way” or whatever they call it but in Christianity, God does the choosing. Jesus told the disciples “You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide” (John 15:16). Elsewhere He says to them in a rhetorical manner, “Have I not chosen you, the Twelve” (John 6:70)? Later, He told them “I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you” (John 15:19). If you read Ephesians chapter one you’ll see that God had long ago predestined to redeem you, even before you or the earth existed.

Many Paths?

The growing sentiment among many today is that there are many paths to God, although this is contrary to biblical doctrine (Acts 4:12; 16:30-31). Some even say that their god would not send someone to hell but they should realize that it’s a god of their own imagination, created in their own image. They don’t realize that God doesn’t send people to hell, they choose to go there by choosing to reject Jesus as Lord and Savior (John 3:18, 36). If you want to know about how many options there were to heaven, then Christianity will disappoint you. To me, it’s not amazing that there is only one way; it is amazing there is any way! Jesus didn’t believe in this humanistic philosophy of “many paths to God.” He was clear about it when he said “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6). This is not your way, your truth, and your life that leads to eternal life nor is it my way but it must be His Way, His truth, and His impartation of eternal life. The other world religions that seek paths of peace, harmony, serenity will find them of no help on the Day of Judgment (Rev 20:12-15).

Resurrection

Many world religions have no belief in an afterlife. Some have beliefs in reincarnation, some hope for Nirvana, while others desire Paradise but none of those religious leaders can claim what Christianity does. Its Leader is still alive! Krishna, Muhammed, Confucius, and Buddha are all dead. They never achieved what Christianity did in Jesus death and resurrection from the dead. Paul wrote that after Jesus was raised from the dead “he appeared to more than five hundred brothers at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have fallen asleep” (1st Cor 15:6).

Conclusion

If you don’t have the right Jesus, you don’t have the right Savior and that means you won’t be saved on the day when Christ judges all the dead and living (Rev 20:12-15). Jesus declared “this is eternal life, that they know you the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent” (John 17:3) and that eternal life is not found through the teachings of Krishna, Muhammed, Confucius, Buddha, or any other human agent. They’re all dead. Only Jesus is alive of all the world’s religions and He gives everyone His warning; “Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him” (John 3:36). The differences determine where you’ll spend eternity at.

Article by Jack Wellman

Jack Wellman is Pastor of the Mulvane Brethren church in Mulvane Kansas. Jack is also the Senior Writer at What Christians Want To Know whose mission is to equip, encourage, and energize Christians and to address questions about the believer’s daily walk with God and the Bible. You can follow Jack on Google Plus or check out his book Teaching Children the Gospel available on Amazon.