08/28/2021
Grace is what sets true Christianity apart from every other religion in the world. Other religions may acknowledge and worship a “one true God.” They may even agree that Jesus existed and that His teachings are admirable. They say that He was a good man, perhaps even a prophet, but definitely not God manifest in the flesh. Religion refuses to acknowledge Jesus Christ as the only way to salvation—right relationship with God.
Every false religion—even religious Christianity—puts the burden of salvation upon the individual. In other words, “salvation” is based upon your perform- ance. If you live holy enough, do enough good things, observe all of these rituals and rules, then you might be able to be saved. The problem is—and Romans makes it crystal clear—that none of us can live up to those standards. We can’t
save ourselves!
True Christianity is the only faith on the face of the earth that has a Savior. On Judgment Day, each one of us must stand alone before God and answer the question,
“What makes you worthy to enter into My presence?” The followers of every other religion will say, “I was holy and gave to the poor. I never did these things and always did these others. I even journeyed to the holy city and performed the prescribed rituals. I prayed three times a day, and fasted.” However, the Word plainly reveals that all have sinned and fall short of God’s glory. (Rom. 3:23.) Who wants to be the best sinner that ever went to hell? Therefore, you simply cannot trust in yourself for salvation.
However, a born-again believer would answer that same question differently. They’d say, “Jesus Christ is my Lord and Savior. I’m trusting completely in His goodness and His performance. It’s definitely not anything I’ve done. I get in based on what He did for me through His death, burial, and resurrection.” Now that’s the right approach!
Many people around the world who have embraced “Christianity” have never heard the true Gospel preached concerning God’s goodness and grace. They’re simply substituting “Christian” things to do instead of Muslim, Hindu, Buddhist, or some other religion’s things to do. To many people, Christianity is nothing but a different set of rules, doctrines, and regulations whereby they must earn their way to God. That’s not the true Gospel—and it’s exactly what the book of Romans confronts.
The Gospel—as referred to in Romans—speaks of the good news of salvation independent of our performance. It’s by God’s grace. That’s nearly too good to be true. But it is. Thank You, Jesus!
