Tuesday, January 12, 2010

Is it really all the same?

So, I'm not going to delve into the difference between all the major religions, too many people have done far better than I ever could. However, I do want to shed light on one particular point that came to mind the other day.

According to many people, and I've heard this quite often, all religions are basically the same, at the basis, they have the same principles of love and peace, and being a better human being because we are all innately good natured. I never truly believed this, those of you that know my past will know why. However, it is true that there is good-will in some shape or form in every religion.

Here's where it gets a little tricky. Christianity doesn't actually say that. Really? Yes really. The Bible stressed very specifically that all have fallen short of God's perfect goodness, and that there is no one who is good, "not even one" Romans 3:10.

this leaves me with 3 points:
  1. God says that there is, inside us, a nature that keeps us away from being good. (Rom 8)
  2. Also, do right to what end? you're a good person all your life... you stuff up sometimes, everybody does, but then what?
  3. The bible tells us that there is nothing we can do, no matter how good we are, to earn anything from Him (more on that in the next entry). so really there is nothing we can do to be Christian.

The bible specifically says that God's gift to us is to no longer struggle with that. With "good" and "bad". That's what grace is. It's God's way of giving us an out. A free ticket. Not cheap, but it is free, all we have to do is accept it.

There is nothing you can do to be a christian. No steps to follow. No list to tick off. Just accept!

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