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Answer
Religion is the practice of faith; that is, religion involves the external or ceremonial observance of a set of beliefs. Technically, there is a distinction between faith (the internal attitude) and religion (the external actions). However, for the purpose of this article, we will broadly define “Christian religion” as “the faithful adherence to the teachings of Jesus Christ and His apostles.”
James 1:27 states that pure and faultless religion before God entails “caring for orphans and widows in their distress and keeping oneself unstained by the world.” In essence, attending to the less fortunate and upholding personal integrity are outward expressions of genuine love for God. Moreover, since James specifies that he is referring to “pure and faultless” religion, it implies the existence of an “impure and flawed” form of religion—a religion not rooted in love for God.
Here are five reasons why Christian religion surpasses non-Christian religions (why following the teachings of Jesus Christ is superior to not following them):
Christian religion – Jesus Christ is the Path to God.
The Christian religion excels over other religions because what leads to God is superior to what leads away from God. We have strayed from God due to sin “All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.”, (Isaiah 53:6), and we require a Guide to bring us back. Jesus is that Guide “Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.”, (John 14:6), the One who seeks the lost “For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.”, (Luke 19:10). Jesus claims not to be one of many ways, but the one-and-only Way to God. He is, in fact, God Himself in human flesh “And Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord and my God.”, (John 20:28), so to find Jesus is to find God. “Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father,” He said “Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? he that hath seen me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, Shew us the Father?”, (John 14:9). The Christian religion is unique in that it offers a close, intimate relationship with the personal God of the universe.
Christian religion – Jesus Christ is the Truth.
The Christian religion is superior to other religions because truths are superior to falsehoods. Jesus is “the Truth” “Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.”, (John 14:6). He is the embodiment of truth, the revelation of God to humanity “For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily.”, (Colossians 2:9), and the conveyor of God’s words “For I have given unto them the words which thou gavest me; and they have received them, and have known surely that I came out from thee, and they have believed that thou didst send me.”, (John 17:8). The Christian religion is grounded in truth, being based on a historical Person whose acts were verified by eyewitnesses and recorded by four different biographers. Parodies of Christianity often arise through the actions of “false prophets.”
“Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world.” (1 John 4:1) Only Jesus is true. By following Christ, Christians hold truth in the highest esteem, rejecting superficiality and the deceit of false appearances. Christianity compels us to confront our own truth and speak honestly with others.
Christianity – Jesus Christ is the Life.
Christianity surpasses other faiths because life triumphs over death, and heaven exceeds hell. Jesus declares, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” (John 14:6) He is the giver of life, and apart from Him, true existence is impossible (John 1:4; John 3:36; John 5:24; 10:10). Jesus provides all that we need: the Bread of Life that satisfies eternally, “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst.” (John 6:35), the Living Water that grants eternal life (John 4:14; John 7:37-38), and the Resurrection and the Life, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live.” (John 11:25). These are not mere assertions; Jesus demonstrated His power over death by raising Lazarus (John 11), Jairus’ daughter (Mark 5), and the boy from Nain (Luke 7). Then, a
After His own death on the cross, Jesus rose again on the third day, having conquered death forever (Matthew 28). The Christian faith is distinctive in that it is founded on the actual, physical resurrection of its Founder.
Christianity – Jesus Christ transforms humanity.
The Christian faith surpasses other belief systems because righteousness triumphs over wickedness. While other faiths may enforce adherence to a specific code of conduct, they lack the ability to transform the heart. Christianity asserts that the believer is “dead to sin” and now lives “in newness of life” «God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein? », (Romans 6:2,4) «Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. », (Romans 6:2,4). The defining characteristic of a Christian is the shift from engaging in sin to displaying a passion for good deeds (Titus 2:14;2 Corinthians 5:17). The Christian’s enthusiasm for benevolence has led to the establishment of numerous orphanages, hospitals, clinics, schools, homeless shelters, and emergency relief organizations—all in the name of Christ. Christianity stands out in that it does not impose change externally but rather transforms lives from within.
Christianity – Jesus Christ is compassionate.
The Christian faith excels over other belief systems because love triumphs over the absence of love. God is love «He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love. », (1 John 4:8,16) «And we have known and believed the love that God hath for us. God is love; and he who dwells in love d
He who dwells in God, and God in him., (1 John 4:8,16). Love is the supreme of His gifts to us «And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love.», (1 Corinthians 13:13)—not the unpredictable, so-called love of the world, but the selfless, unconditional love that always seeks to benefit the one loved. God demonstrated His love for us by sending His one and only Son (John 3:16;1 John 4:10). Jesus displayed His love for us by providing for our salvation through His death on the cross «Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends. », (John 15:13). Jesus gave His disciples a new command: “Love one another as I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another” (John 13:34-35). Love, not obligation or indebtedness, is what drives the believer and propels him towards greater humility and greater service for the kingdom of heaven. Christianity is distinctive in that it is not a set of regulations but a commemoration of selfless love. “Love is the fulfillment of the law” «Love does no harm to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfillment of the law. », (Romans 13:10).
Man, in his ingenuity, has devised countless religions in his endeavor to reach God. God, in His love, has bestowed upon us the truth: the one true religion, Christianity, in which God seeks to reach man.
