
I had recently been asked by someone why Christianity is the "true " religion? After all most religions teach morality. Most religions require followers to worship, most religions are interested in the betterment of mankind, right?
I have to be honest, I couldn't answer that person. It is true that there is spiritual truth in nearly all of the major religions of the world, so why choose Christianity? After some prayer and meditation I now have an answer.
But, before I answer I think it is important to distinguish the single most important difference and that is in the word religion. True Christianity is not a religion. A religion is a set of dogmas, rules and regulations one must follow. Jesus hated religion.
Jesus taught that we were to be witnesses to His resurrection. He taught that we were to be His friends and Love each other as He loved us. This is not religion but rather a relationship.
Another major difference between Christianity and other religions is that God has reached out to us and accepted us, in spite of us. Other religions require that a person must act a certain way or fulfill certain actions to be acceptable to their god/gods and then maybe they will be acceptable.
I have to admit that we Christians have made a real mess of things. We do teach dogmas, we
fight amongst ourselves over stupid stuff that in the scheme of eternity will not matter. We have gone to war and condemned others in the name of our "religion". In short we have not acted as Jesus did. It is no wonder the world says we are no different than any other "religion".
Another major difference is that of the baptism of the Holy Ghost. I know of no other religion that teaches that we can have our God live in us and empower us to change and become new persons with a new more loving attitude and outlook on life. In other words God does the work in us instead of us doing the work of changing into a new kind of man.
Yes, I agree that spiritual truth can be found in every major religion. I have chosen Christianity because Jesus chose me and I have met Him in a way that is impossible to describe but is absolutely undeniable. I will be the first to admit I am not always His best witness, but He is changing me a little bit at a time, as I permit. And that is another great distinction, My God never violates my will. He may not approve of my actions but He will not "make me" change to be acceptable to Him.
The bottom line is I can not objectively demonstrate that Christianity is THE true religion. What I can do however is tell you - try it - open your heart and mind to the possibility that Jesus is alive and real, admit your unbelief to Him and ask Him to reveal Himself to you. If you really mean it then, just like me, you can have a real, vibrant, and dynamic relationship with the Creator God who is Love.
May the God of the Universe, Creator of all life, Bless and keep you through His begotten Son Jesus
Amen