Fast food restaurants tempt us by allowing us to order our food exactly how we want it. Some coffee shops boast about hundreds of different flavors and variations of coffee. Even when we buy houses and cars, we can look for one with all the options and features we want. We no longer live in a world of chocolate, vanilla, and strawberry. Choice is king! You can find almost anything you want according to your own personal tastes and needs.
So how about a religion that’s right for you? How about a religion that’s guilt-free, makes no demands, and isn’t saddled with a bunch of pesky rules about what one should or shouldn’t do? It’s there, just as I’ve described it, but is religion something to be chosen like a favorite flavor of ice cream?
There are a lot of voices competing for our attention, so why should one consider Jesus superior to, say, Muhammad, Confucius, Buddha, Charles Taze Russell, or Joseph Smith? After all, don’t all roads lead to heaven? Aren’t all religions basically the same? The truth is that not all religions lead to heaven, just as not all roads lead to Rome.
Only Jesus speaks with the authority of God, because only Jesus conquered death. Muhammad, Confucius, and the others rot in their graves to this day, but Jesus, by His own power, left the grave three days after dying on a cruel Roman cross. Anyone who has the power over death deserves our attention. Anyone who has the power over death deserves to be heard.
The evidence for Jesus’ resurrection is overwhelming. First, there were over five hundred eyewitnesses to the resurrected Christ! That’s a lot of eyewitnesses. Five hundred voices cannot be ignored. There is also the matter of the empty tomb; Jesus’ enemies could easily have stopped all talk of the resurrection by producing His dead, decomposing body, but there was no body to produce! The tomb was empty! Could the disciples have stolen His body? Hardly. To prevent such an eventuality, Jesus’ tomb had been heavily guarded by armed soldiers. Considering that His closest followers had fled in fear at His arrest and crucifixion, it is highly unlikely that this poor band of frightened fishermen would have gone toe-to-toe with trained, professional soldiers. Nor would they have sacrificed their lives and become martyrs, like most of them, for a fraud. The simple fact is that Jesus’ resurrection cannot be explained away!
Again, anyone who has power over death deserves to be heard. Jesus proved His power over death, so we need to hear what He says. Jesus claims to be the only way to salvation ( John 14:6 ). He is not a way; He is not one of many ways. Jesus is the way.
And this same Jesus says, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest” ( Matthew 11:28 ).) This is a complicated world and life is hard. Most of us have suffered enough, are hurt, and damaged. Do you agree? So what do you want? A reset or a mere religion? A living Savior or one of many dead “prophets”? A meaningful relationship or empty rituals? Jesus is not a choice — He is the choice!
If you are seeking forgiveness, Jesus is the true “religion” ( Acts 10:43 ). Jesus is the true “religion” if you are seeking a meaningful relationship with God ( John 10:10 ). Jesus is the true “religion” if you are seeking an eternal home in Heaven ( John 3:16 ). Put your faith in Jesus Christ as your Savior. You won’t regret it! Trust Him for the forgiveness of your sins. You won’t be disappointed!
If you want a “real relationship” with God, here is a model prayer. Remember, praying this prayer or any other prayer will not save you. It is only trusting in Christ that can deliver you from sin. This prayer is simply a way to express to God your faith in Him, and to thank Him for providing salvation. “God, I know that I have sinned against You and deserve punishment. But Jesus Christ took the punishment that I deserved, so that through faith in Him I can be forgiven. I turn from my sin and put my trust in You for salvation. Thank You for Your amazing grace and forgiveness – the gift of eternal life! In Jesus’ Name, Amen!”
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