Introducing... You!
It's wrong for any one religion to claim they are the only way to heaven, nirvana, etc., and it is also wrong to judge other people in their lifestyle and choices unless they are really bad. Sincerity - as in it doesn't matter what you believe, is one of my highest values, as long as you are sincere (genuine and honest) in your beliefs. I feel that my worldview is what will get me what I want out of life without hurting others.
About God:
What you say: I believe in God, but my view depends on what the media, my family, and my friends say.
What the Bible says: God identified Himself as "I Am" (Exodus 20:2) - meaning He is the self-existent (never had a beginning or end) eternal Creator of the universe. He is both loving AND holy, meaning He will judge sin (2 Timothy 4:1).
About the Trinity:
What you say: I think the concept of the Trinity makes no sense, so why should I believe in it?
What the Bible says: There is one God and yet three Persons (Isaiah 45:5; Deuteronomy 6:4; James 2:19). The Trinity is true whether or not it makes sense.
About Jesus:
What you say: Jesus was a nice guy who said a lot of important things, but I'm not sure if He is the Son of God, or even what that even means.
What the Bible says: Jesus is fully God and fully man, He is the God of the universe (John 1:1, 14, 18; 8:58 ; 10:30 . Compare Titus 2:13 and Isaiah 45:21), and His death on the cross completely paid for the sins of the world (1 John 2:2). He was 'nice' when He lived on earth, but He was also sad, passionate, angry, tired, loving, and yes, even righteously judgmental of the stuck up religious people.
About the Bible:
What you say: The Bible is a good book that should be treated with a certain amount of respect. But I don't take the Bible too literally, though, because that's what turns people into intolerant extremists. I generally pick and choose what parts of the Bible are true - like the Ten Commandments and the Golden Rule.
What the Bible says: The Bible alone is the word of God and is absolute truth. It is without error. It cannot and should not be added to or subtracted from (2 Timothy 3:16-4:4; Revelation 22:18-20), and it is also the ultimate authority on spiritual matters. Every word of it is inspired by God, so you can't just pick and choose what you 'think' is true.
About the Afterlife:
What you say: I believe in an afterlife where there is a heaven and hell, and the only people who go to hell are really bad people like murderers and rapists.
What the Bible says: Those who trust in Christ alone as their only hope of salvation spend eternity in heaven; those who reject Christ spend an eternity in hell (John 5:24-30; Revelation 20:11-15). There will be many 'bad' people who trusted Christ and will be in heaven, and there will be many 'good' people who lived a great life but never trusted Christ who will be in hell.
About Salvation:
What you say: A person gets to heaven by having more good deeds than bad at the end of his/her life.
What the Bible says: Salvation is by faith in Christ ALONE on the basis of His death on the cross. (John 3:16-17, 36; 6:29, 47; Romans 4:1-5; Galatians 2:16; Ephesians 2:8-9; Titus 3:5) Good works are a natural result of our salvation, but they have nothing to do with our salvation. Sincerity is not the qualification for salvation...truth is - and Jesus claimed He was the way, the truth, and the life, and that no one gets into heaven except through Him (John 14:6). There are other religions who are sincere, but they are sincerely wrong.
Now let me ask you some questions
- Every major religion contradicts the others on major issues like who God is and how we get to heaven, so how can they all be right?
- If getting into heaven is a matter of being good and sincere, why did Jesus come to earth, die on the Cross, and come back from the dead?
- Osama Bin Laden claims to be a strict Muslim who planned the Two Towers attack partially out of a sincere religious belief called a Jihad. Do we have a right to judge him for that? Will he be in heaven as well?
- There are many areas in the physical life where there are absolute truths, like mathematics and science, so why wouldn't there be absolute truth in the spiritual world?
- You may have heard of the crisis in Darfur, Sudan. Do we have the right to judge the government? Do the victims deserve to suffer this pain?
Christ said that He is the "way, the truth, and the life" (John 14:6). Salvation in Jesus Christ gives us endless freedom from suffering, guilt, and sin and also the gift of eternal good life without suffering! In Matthew 11:28, Jesus makes this promise: " Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest." This is the reason why Jesus died on the cross for you! No matter how much you screw up, He's still there for you! That's something to look forward to! A God who's still willing to accept you even though you don't deserve it!
Are you a good person?
