So Many Religions, so Little Time!
0 comments | Posted by Steven Layson on 15 Nov 2009 in From Steve's Study ::
Have you ever been into the supermarket to buy toothpaste? It sounds like a simple exercise, but once you get in there you are immediately overwhelmed with the complexity of the task. Do you want “Tartar Control” or “Teeth Whitening”, “Adult” or “Children’s, “Regular taste” or “Spearmint”, “Blue” or “White”, “Striped” or “Sparkling”, “Colgate” or “MaCleans”, “Wiggles” or “Non-Wiggles”? And the possibilities go on. There are so many to choose from and they all seem to do pretty much the same thing. Does it really matter which one you choose?
When you walk into the “Spiritual Supermarket” you can have a very similar experience. Do you want a dose of “Christianity” or “Islam”? Perhaps “New Age” or “Buddhism” is more to your liking? Maybe one of the really old ones like “Judaism”, “Animism” or “Hinduism”? Or do you like people in nice suits? Then you might prefer “Mormonism” or “Jehovah’s Witness”. Would you prefer “5 Spiritual Pillars”, an “8-fold path to enlightenment” or “10 commandments”? Again, the possibilities are almost endless. There are so many to choose from and they all seem to do pretty much the same thing. Does it really matter which one you choose?
Many people believe that “choosing” a religion is much like choosing a toothpaste – it doesn’t matter which one you choose, as long as you’re happy with it.
However, “choosing” a faith is not like this at all. All of the world’s faiths make exclusive truth claims. All of them claim to provide the only way to “enlightenment”, “meaning” or “eternal life”. They do not claim to be just one of many equally valid options. The choice is more akin to sitting on your roof as flood waters rise and deciding whether or not to take hold of a helicopter’s ladder to safety.
Jesus claimed to be “the way, the truth and the life” & that “no one comes to the Father except through me”. In other words, the only way to get to know God and receive eternal life is through him.
Now either he’s right, or he’s wrong. If he’s wrong, Christianity does not deserve our time or attention. But if he’s right, then we must come to him. Let me encourage you to look into Jesus. Read the stories of his life in the Bible. See if he is who he says he is. Ponder his death and resurrection. As you do, I believe you will see that he really is God on earth, and he has achieved what he set out to achieve, the salvation of our souls.
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