At the core of most world religions is the desire to appease a god or gods to attain favor in the afterlife. Followers live in fear of upsetting their gods, so day after day they labor to earn their salvation through good works and religious practice.
Salvation is received by faith in the sacrificial death and triumphant resurrection of Jesus Christ.
While these religions are focused on pursuing and appeasing a deity; Christianity is founded on God's pursuit of man. In Christianity, salvation cannot be earned. Rather, it is received as a gracious and merciful gift. "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast" (Ephesians 2:8-9).
Salvation is received by faith in the sacrificial death and triumphant resurrection of Jesus Christ. Through faith in the perfect shed blood of Christ, we are fully covered for eternity. No other sacrifice is necessary for the remission of sins. The idea that our God sacrifices for us reverses the pattern followed by other religions.
Prayer: Father, thank You for grace. Thank You for making the ultimate sacrifice, not sparing Your own Son, to save me from my sins. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.
"For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ" (John 1:17).
Learn more in Dr. Michael Youssef's sermon series The God Who Pursues Us: LISTEN NOW
Related Content
