Uniqueness of Christianity Part IV

This is the final article in the series by Jennyn Herrera. The full article will soon be posted in BT Exclusives

The Amazing Love of God

        Other religions emphasize what a person must do in service to their god. However, in Christianity God lovingly sends His Son to die for His people. Romans 5:6-8 states, “For while we were still helpless, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. For one will hardly die for a righteous man; though perhaps for the good man someone would dare even to die. But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” This is an absolutely amazing truth! Donald MacLeod in his book The Person of Christ says, “There was a unique bond between the Father and the Son, arising from the fact that the Son was uniquely lovable and the Father was uniquely affectionate. God could not have made a greater sacrifice. His love is astonishing precisely because at this point he put the world before his Son. The statement, ‘God gave the world for his Son’ would evoke no wonder. The statement, ‘God gave his Son for the world’ borders on the incredible” (Donald MacLeod, page 73).

Jesus Christ is the Only Way

        In contrast to today’s relativism, Christ says in John 14:6, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me.” The only way to Heaven is through Christ, and this flies in the face of today’s relativity and inclusivism. Therefore, Christians are often seen as intolerant. However, if man could enter Heaven without Christ, then Christ would not have had to die. As Matthew 26:39 says, “And He went a little beyond them, and fell on His face and prayed, saying, “My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; yet not as I will, but as You will.”

Christianity is Not Merely About Self-Improvement

        Christianity is not merely about self-improvement like Scientology, for example. Once men and women trust in Christ for salvation, they are altogether different people, as it says in 2 Corinthians 5:17, “therefore if anyone is in Christ he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold all things have become new.” Jeremiah 31:33 also says regarding those in the New Covenant, “But this is the covenant which I will make with the house of Israel after those days,” declares the LORD, “I will put My law within them and on their heart I will write it; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people.” Ephesians 2:4-5, states, “But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in our transgressions, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved)”. Also, Colossians 3:3 says, “For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God. In addition, Colossians 3:9 states, “Do not lie to one another, since you laid aside the old self with its evil practices”.

        Some may ask, “If Christians are forgiven of their sins then what stops them from living an ungodly life?” The answer is that once believers are saved, they are sanctified by the work of the Holy Spirit in their lives. As it says in Philippians 2:13, “for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure.” Paul in Ephesians 2:10 writes, “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.” Again in Philippians 1:7 Paul writes, “For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus.”

The Radical Christian Mind-Set

         Furthermore, in contrast to the money, power, women, and so forth, that other religions offer their people; Christians are called to holiness of life, suffering, and ultimately, to not live for themselves, but for Christ (2 Corinthians 5:15). In Philippians 1:29-30, Paul says, “For to you it has been granted for Christ’s sake, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake”. Also, in Philippians 4:14, “Nevertheless, you have done well to share with me in my affliction.” 1 Peter 2:21 says, “For you have been called for this purpose, since Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example for you to follow in His steps”. In 1 Peter 5:10 Peter says, “After you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself perfect, confirm, strengthen and establish you.”

        The mindset of the Christian is very different from that of “the world”. Christ teaches that in order to be the greatest in the kingdom of Heaven, (Mark 9:35; Matthew 18:4) the person must be the servant of all; and that the first shall be last, and the last shall be first (Matthew 20:16). Paul writes in Romans 12:1-2, “Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.” He goes on to say “Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good” in verse 12:21 of Romans. For these reasons and many others, Christians think differently once regenerated in contrast to the natural man who does not know Christ.

        Unlike some history books, the Bible very honestly portrays the good, the bad and the ugly, regarding the people described in its contents. This collection of sixty-six books does not candy-coat history or try to present only the favorable stories, but instead records everything. It records King David’s adultery and murder, the flaws of Christ’s disciples, and many other things.

        In conclusion, major points regarding the uniqueness of the Christian worldview have been explored in this article. Various points such as the Trinity, the nature and incarnation of Christ, and the Gospel of Grace, have been discussed. The Christian worldview is not one in which a person has to work his or her way into Heaven. It is my prayer that this paper will enlighten those who are uncertain about the uniqueness of Christianity and that those who have not trusted in Jesus Christ for their salvation, will do so. As it says in Isaiah 55:6, “Seek the LORD while He may be found; Call upon Him while He is near” and Acts 4:12, “And there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men by which we must be saved.”