There is only one religion that provides eternal life and an eternal relationship with God based on nothing but God’s grace through your faith. That religion is true Christianity. I say true Christianity because there are many Christian-like religions and cults that, on the surface, seem Christian but they are not. These religions profess Jesus but fail to trust completely in His redemptive work. They feel they need to help God or Jesus in some way. Many also have such a distorted view of God that they don’t even serve the true God of the Bible.
These professing Christians may have obligated service required for salvation. Or they may need to do certain rituals to please God. Some even require certain signs, like speaking in tongues or prophesying in order to be saved. The fact is, many people feel that Christianity is just too easy. They feel they must contribute something to make Christianity true. But the fact is that we are saved by Grace alone by our faith in Jesus alone.
By Faith Alone or Buy Other Mainstream Religions
The following list of religions require some sort of religious activity from their devotees in order to earn something – enlightenment, nirvana, heaven, etc.
Religion – Percentage of the World Population
Islam – 23%
Hinduism – 15%
Buddhism – 7%
Sikhism - 0.4%
Judaism – 0.3%
Bahaism – 0.15%
Confucianism – 0.1%
Jainism – 0.06%
Shintoism – 0.01%
According to Jegede 2019, the above represent the top nine religions practiced in the world after Christianity at 32% of the world population. Unfortunately, the author lumps all Christian and Christian-like religions together and claims that Christianity has 2.5 Billion followers or 32% of the world population. Wikipedia further delineates the “Christian religions” as 50% Catholic, about 37% Protestant, about 12% Eastern Orthodox, and 1% other “Christian” sects. Now, any member of any of these Christian denominations is saved if they are relying on Jesus alone for their salvation. Unfortunately, many in these religions are relying on their works, their experiences, or often just their presence at church. Those that feel religious practices will get them into heaven will have a rude awakening after their body dies and their spirit enters eternity.
Those that don’t practice a religion either feel they simply cease to exist when they die or they will get to heaven because “I’m a good person.” These people will also experience a rude awakening.
By Faith Alone and True Christianity
As stated before, salvation is by the grace of God. The only thing we supply is our faith in the perfect redemptive power of Christ’s willing sacrifice on the cross, his death, burial, and resurrection from the dead. If that is what you believe, you are saved and have eternal life. So, salvation comes first. Then, compelled by the Holy Spirit of God, you will want to obey the scriptures, do good works, love your neighbor, bless those that curse you, pray for those that maliciously use you. Mathew 5:44, Luke 6:28.
The passages in the Bible that speak to the truth of the grace through faith doctrine include Romans 3:24, Romans 5:2, Romans 5:15, Romans 11:6, 1 Corinthians 1:4, Galatians 2:21, Ephesians 2:5, Ephesians 2:8, Titus 3:7. Since the Bible is completely true and can be proven to be true, it is logical to accept this doctrine of God’s grace through faith as the truth. So, why do so many people insist that they need to do something, or experience something in order to enter heaven?
The Need to Be an Active Participant
This need to be an active participant in your salvation comes in many forms. The primary cause is pride. People want to be in charge of their own destiny. They want to be in the driver’s seat, not the passenger. Others simply cannot believe being a true Christian could be so easy. Yet others think that if you have been forgiven of all your sin by grace alone you will see no need of obeying scripture. Yet, a true Christian obeys scripture as a form of worship. In other words, “Jesus, you saved me by grace so I’m going to worship you through obedience.”
People often feel that God must require something from them in order for them to receive all the promises of God. These promises include, I will never forsake you, eternal life, a permanent home in heaven, I will comfort you, I will strengthen you, I will teach you, I will give you rest, I will give you peace, and many more promises. God is so vast, powerful, and wise that he has absolutely no need of assistance. He can do it all on His own. So, if God promises he will provide grace to you through your faith in Jesus as your Lord and Savior, He means it!
So, we are saved by grace alone through faith alone. Just make sure your faith is based on the Gospel presented in the Bible. Jesus is the only way to heaven. If you try to get there on your own or through religious practices, you will not make it to heaven.