Is This the Right Way?
by Dan Houze, August 21, 2005."Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is - his good, pleasing and perfect will." - Romans 12:2
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Have you ever heard someone say that all religions are basically the same?
1. All religions are NOT the same.
|
Major World Religions |
View of God |
View of Destiny |
Means to Destiny (how to get there) |
|
Hinduism |
Monoism. All is one and eternal. God is an "it" and can't be known. |
Become one with the supreme being in a state of Nirvana |
Earn your way to Nirvana by a chain of re-incarnations, to make up for bad things in previous life |
|
Buddhism |
Wide range of views depending on the sect: polytheism, pantheism, atheism |
Enter Nirvana which is defined as a state of nothingness (annihilation of individual consciousness) |
Release from chains of reincarnation comes by following the 4 noble truths and the 8 fold path |
|
Judaism |
Unitarian, one God, one person in the Godhead (no trinity) |
Range of views: from nothing after death, to eternal life with Messiah who has not yet been revealed |
Turn to God and live a moral lifestyle (follow the law) |
|
Islam |
Unitarian, one God, one person in the Godhead |
Join Allah in heaven for eternity of sensual pleasures |
Follow the 5 doctrines of Islam and perform the duties of the 5 pillars of faith |
|
Christianity |
Trinitarian (three eternal and co-equal persons in the Godhead) |
In heaven eternally to fellowship with God |
Cannot be earned. Belief in Christ's work on the cross gains place in heaven. |
Although in our present culture, it may be viewed as intolerant.
3. The truth of Christ is based on Christ alone. See the following words spoken by Christ:
John 3:18
John 8:24
John 14:1-6
What are the benefits of truth?
Truth sets us free
- from the grip of sin
- from confusion and anxiety
- from the world's standards and expectations (including religious ones)
Truth enables us to enjoy the benefits of godliness (and one way to evaluate godliness is to look at our relationships with people).
Application
Looking back over your past week, decisions, and responses to people:
1) How much was influenced by God's perspective?
2) Do you have more than an intellectual knowledge of Christ?
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