Every religion today and everyone that existed in the past is a works-based religion, except Biblical Christianity. This truth demonstrates the profound uniqueness of the God described in the Bible. The God of the Bible is also differentiated from the God of Islam or Judaism. Both Abrahamic religions reject the Trinity, but a cursory read of the entire Bible makes you conclude that God or YHWH is three persons while remaining one God. Unfortunately, most people cannot read the Bible and accept it on its own merit without calling on interpreters of the Word or extra-Biblical sources. The Bible was meant to be read by ordinary people with adequate intelligence. So, if you decide to read and study your way through the Bible, please read it without preconceived notions. Let's explore what most religions believe and what the Bible teaches.
Works-Based and Ritual Filled
What do I mean by works-based? I mean a religion based on a balance. If the balance of your good works outweighs the sins in your life, you will probably make it to heaven – maybe. Christians like to say they are trying to work their way into heaven. This scale of good works outweighing evil works (sin) comes not only from religions like Islam, Judaism, Hinduism, Buddhism, and all other religions except Biblical Christianity but also from pseudo-Christian religions. Some of these pseudo-Christian religions are Mormonism, Jehovah's Witnesses, and other sects that require you to do something to receive salvation.
Salvific Works
Islam requires at least one pilgrimage to Meca in your lifetime to be saved. It requires you to memorize the Koran in Arabic, even if that is not your native language, yet never requires you to read, understand, or memorize the Koran in your own language. This inconsistency requires you to rely on the interpretation of a Mullah or Imam. You are also required to pray three times per day and follow all the rituals and observances of Islam, or you will not enter heaven – unless you kill an infidel to further the religion of Islam. That's your ticket into heaven without regard for your past life of sin. It is a false gospel.
Judaism requires you to follow the Jewish scriptures, or Tanakh, the writings of the Rabbis, and perform the rituals of the various sects. The Law, or Torah, is the first five books of the Bible. These laws cannot currently be upheld because there is no temple in Israel for the various sacrifices required by the law. Therefore, salvation has its primary basis in Israel's destiny as the elect people of Yahweh. It is a false gospel.
Hinduism and Buddhism are strictly works-based, and your good works must outweigh your sins. Hinduism has an aberrant notion called karma, which, in fundamental terms, is "there is a reaction to everything you do." You will receive kindness if you are kind to someone of equal status. If you are kind to someone of lower status, their lower status might rub off on you – so you'll want to avoid being kind to them. If someone harms you, karma will ensure they are hurt too. Hinduism is a very superstitious religion. Their "heaven" is Svarga, the celestial home of the devas in Hinduism. Svarga is a realm of divine greatness and splendor, where the divine beings live eons of time, contributing to the evolution of the whole creation. Svarga is nothing like the Biblical concept of heaven. Buddhism is a religion of trying to do the right thing, praying, chanting, and improving yourself to the point of entering one of their (more than twenty) versions of heaven. It is a false gospel.
The Profound Uniqueness of Biblical Christianity Versus Pseudo-Christianity
Pseudo-Christian religions are very ritual and task-based. Mormons can't get to heaven unless they tithe a specific amount of their income. They can't reach heaven without proselytizing, wearing holy undergarments, and performing temple rituals. These things are mandatory for entering heaven. Jehovah's Witnesses have similar requirements to proselytize, and both religions require obedience to extra-Biblical writings like the Book of Mormon and the writings of the Watch Tower Society. Both religions require doing specific tasks so that you might make it to heaven – maybe. It is a false gospel.
The Profound Uniqueness of Biblical Christianity
Biblical Christianity is based on the Word of God – the Bible. The Bible explains that we are so utterly immoral that we cannot enter heaven, no matter what we do. So, how do we get in if God requires that only holy and perfect things enter heaven? The Bible says we cannot get ourselves into heaven, and we have no right to enter heaven. We must rely on the sacrificial generosity of Jesus Christ, our belief in the true Gospel as written in the Bible, and our acceptance of the free gift of salvation. So, we don't have to do anything except believe and accept. None of our salvation rests in our works because Jesus did all the work for us. Jesus is the only one who possesses the necessary perfection. This perfect sacrifice explains the profound uniqueness of Biblical Christianity.
Biblical Christian Salvation
There are just a few things to know and a simple prayer to pray to have a personal relationship with the creator, master, and sustainer of the universe, our Lord Jesus.
First, God loves you! John 3:16 says, "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life."
Second, We are all sinners: Romans 3:23 says, "For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;"
Third, we can be redeemed through Jesus's willing substitutionary sacrifice: Romans 5:8 says, "But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us."
Fourth, All may be saved: Romans 10:9 says, "That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved."
If you have read and understand these four things, and feel the drawing power of the Holy Spirit of God, and you are ready to make the most important decision of your life, please pray something like the following prayer:
Lord, I confess that I am a sinner. I believe that Jesus died for me, and on the third day after his death, he rose from the dead and is alive today. Please forgive my sins and accept me into your kingdom. I accept your free gift of grace through my faith in Jesus Christ alone for my salvation. Amen!
The Profound Uniqueness of Biblical Christianity Conclusion
Christians know that they have no part in their salvation. God knew exactly who would accept Jesus before he created the universe, yet he expects us to accept Jesus' substitutionary atonement of our own free will. When we accept Christ, we are redeemed, justified, and sanctified, and in that moment, we receive the Holy Spirit of God. After salvation is when a genuinely born-again Christian "takes the ball and runs with it." In other words, you are compelled by the Holy Spirit within you to obey Biblical scriptures, serve God, serve others, and develop a relationship with God. How do we develop this relationship? We listen to God by reading and studying the Bible and speak to God through prayer. You are a Christian by receiving grace through your faith in Jesus Christ alone for your salvation.
"Jesus said unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me." John 14:6. God the Father resides in heaven. The only way to heaven is through Jesus Christ. The profound uniqueness of Biblical Christianity is that we have no power or ability to get to heaven. We must rely on Christ alone for our salvation, our relationship with God, and our eventual unquestionable entry into heaven when our body dies. Biblical Christians know they will enter heaven. All other religions hope they can enter heaven. Unfortunately, they will not.