“Who among the gods is like you, O Lord? Who is like you — majestic in holiness, awesome in glory, working wonders? You stretched out your right hand and the earth swallowed them. In your unfailing love you will lead the people you have redeemed.  In your strength you will guide them to your holy dwelling.” — Exodus 15:11-13 (NIV84)

I know I’ve said this before, but it irritates me when people make statements like, “All religions are alike” or “All religious paths lead to the same place.” These statements irritate me because, for one, they just aren’t true. And second, they wash away the significant differences that truly exist among the major world religions. Christianity uniquely believes in a God who is personal, intimate and loving. Our God doesn’t need to be mystically sought out, but He intentionally reveals Himself to humanity so that He might be known. He isn’t a God far away, but He is a God so near that He regularly touches our temporal existence to ensure that His will takes place. We have a God who, like a father to his child, bends over and inclines His ear toward us when we pray. Christianity professes faith in a God who, although just, chose to inflict His justice for sin upon His own Son so that we might be redeemed and saved. Our God daily guides and directs our lives through His Word and the Spirit He placed in our hearts.

I could go on and on, but do you see my point? It is important that we do not allow Christianity to be clumped together with the other major religions of the world. They do not offer the same God or the same grace. One more distinction: Christianity is the only religion in the world that professes that its leader (Jesus) defeated death by rising from the dead. He not only said that His words were true, He proved it!

Peace!

Pastor Tom

www.firmlyrooted.church