Other Religions Archives - Faith Lutheran Church, Wesley Chapel

Kurt Steinbrueck June 9, 2020

Aren’t They All Basically the Same?

Aren't They All Basically The Same?

“Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few.” – Matthew 7:13-14

Have you ever heard someone say, “Aren’t all religions basically the same?”

Our culture, today, trumpets inclusivity. We don’t like it when people are left out of something, even if it’s because of their own choices. In many situations, inclusivity is a good thing, but what about religions or, more to the point, what about God and salvation?

Works vs Faith
Despite the claim that all religions are basically the same there is one, Christianity, which stands apart. How? If you categorize all religions under the headings, “Teaches how you earn your way into heaven” or “Teaches you can’t earn your way into heaven,” Christianity is the only religion that says you can’t do it and that’s not what it’s all about.

The Bible teaches us that we are saved by faith not works. You can do all the good or religious works you want. If you don’t have faith, you’ve missed it. Have you done horrible things? Through faith in Jesus you are forgiven and made righteous…you are saved.

The Instructions Test
It reminds me of the old test teachers give from time to time when they find their students aren’t reading the instructions on assignments. The test looks like a normal test with one exception. At the top of the test, in the opening instructions, it tells the student to read all instructions before starting the test. Then, at the very end of the test, there is an instruction to put your name on the paper and turn it in without answering any of the test questions and leave the room.

Whenever I’ve seen this test administered, there are a few who follow the instructions. Within a few minutes, they are getting up, turning in their tests and leaving the room with the rest of the students looking perplexed at the speed these students completed the test. The rest of the students spend the class period struggling through the test. Some realize at the end that they messed up. Some never figure it out.

It doesn’t matter how many questions the students who answered all the questions get right. They failed the test because it wasn’t about answering the questions. It doesn’t matter that the other students didn’t answer any questions, they passed because they followed the instructions.

Jesus is the Way
The Bible tells us that anyone and everyone can be saved, but it also says we only get to the Father (into Heaven) through Jesus. If we believe in Him we shall be saved.

This is a great comfort for those who believe. We can rest from thinking we have to earn our salvation. It’s also, however, a sobering thought as we see many who do not believe. Let us pray for them and share the Good News of salvation with them that they may also join in Christ’s rest.

Dear Jesus,

You are the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through You. Help me to trust in Your works, not my own. Be with those who do not, yet, know you. May Your Gospel be shared with them that they might believe and be saved.

Amen.

In Christ’s Service,

Pastor Kurt

Kurt Steinbrueck March 17, 2020

Blog jesus, Other Religions, salvation

Aren’t All Religions Basically the Same?

Aren’t all religions basically the same?

“Let it be known to all of you and to all the people of Israel that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead—by him this man is standing before you well. This Jesus is the stone that was rejected by you, the builders, which has become the cornerstone. And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” – Acts 4:10-12

Have you ever heard someone ask, “Aren’t all religions basically the same?”

It’s a relatively common question in our American society, today. Our society values inclusion and tolerance and one of the effects of this has been a growing number of people who want to accept all religions as the same, just different ways of getting to God or into heaven.

You may hear statements like,

“As long as you believe in God, your fine. It doesn’t matter whether you call God Jesus or Allah or the Great Sky Spirit.”

“All religions are essentially the same. As long as you are a good person, you’ll get into heaven.”

You may even hear more negative statements like,

“How arrogant are you that you think your religion is right and everyone else is wrong?”

In the end, though, it doesn’t matter what we think or what others think. It matters what God says. After all, He’s the one who gets to determine this.

The Bible is very clear. There is only one way to God and one way to heaven, Jesus. It is only by faith in Jesus that we are saved.

This can be a hard teaching for us, today. We may feel like we are being exclusionary and people around us may say we are not being loving or kind to insist that Jesus is the only way. However, it is the truth and to share the truth is loving and kind.

Salvation is a gift, but Christianity isn’t easy. We are called to stand in Christ alone and speak His Words, even when they aren’t popular, but we can do so with confidence. We can be confident that it is true and confident we are truly being loving.