Christianity vs. the World

There are thousands of religions. Which one is right?

Innumerable religions and belief systems exist in this world. So how are you supposed to choose one? Moreover, which is really the right one? Last week I attempted to prove that there is indeed truth in this world, but acknowledging that fact doesn’t tell you which religion is true.

Why Christianity?

I for one have put my faith in Jesus, and I know countless others have as well. Now please let me tell you why I chose Him over every other option.

For starters, He gives me purpose in life. And I mean true purpose – Heavenly purpose. Thanks to Jesus, I have a reason to live.

Jesus also offers me a personal relationship – a one-on-one relationship. He truly loves me and cares about me as a best friend would. He’s there for me when things get hard, and He’s someone I can always talk to about whatever is on my mind.

But wait, you may ask, how can I know Jesus is truly God?

Thousands of prophecies led to Jesus.

One of the biggest reasons you can trust that Jesus is God is the number of fulfilled prophecies regarding His birth, life, death, and resurrection. Get this, some of them were written centuries before He was born. It was no coincidence.

Even wilder to fathom are the actual scientific stats behind the probability of Jesus fulfilling the dozens of prophecies mentioned in Scripture. The odds of one man doing that is 1 out of 2.54×10 to the 28th power. Or, to write it all out: 2.54×10000000000000000000000000000.

Even if you don’t believe the Bible is true, there are many trusted historical writings (written by non-Christians) which corroborate the events that took place in the Bible. It’s hard to argue with the logic that one Man who fulfilled so many prophecies couldn’t be the Messiah. Yet some say He was merely a good moral teacher.

Let me clear that up once and for all: Jesus either had to be both, or neither. Some claim Jesus was a good moral teacher, but not the Messiah. But Jesus Himself claimed that He was the Messiah. The truth is though, if He was a good moral teacher but not the Messiah, He was either lying or a lunatic. Both of those contradict His status as a “good moral teacher”.

Meaning He had to be both: the greatest Teacher and the Saviour.

Jesus died (and rose again) for our salvation.

God did something that no one in the history of the universe had ever done. He sent His son down to Earth to die for us. Jesus sacrificed His life for His broken, sinful, unworthy servants. Scour the history books and I guarantee you won’t find another example like this throughout humanity’s existence.

Jesus loved us so much He was willing to die for our sins so we could spend eternity with Him. Since He cared that much, it’s the least I can do to try and serve Him in my own life.

This event, beyond any other, is the crux of my faith. If Jesus didn’t rise from the dead, Christianity would be meaningless. Which is why next week I’m going to go over the reasons why I know Jesus both died and was resurrected, and how Christianity spread because of it.

Christianity has reshaped the world.

Christianity didn’t stop with Jesus. In fact, without Him, the world wouldn’t look anything like it does today. It was because of Him that so many detestable practices were cut off. It was because of Him that countless modern organizations were created. (Just think of a few well-known charities and I can almost guarantee you they were founded by Christians.)

Without Jesus, the Red Cross (the program I’ve taken some of my Lifeguarding courses through) wouldn’t exist either.

The world wouldn’t be the same without Jesus. Even when we look at North America today, and see how much better off financially we appear to be in contrast to the rest of the world, that’s due to Jesus. It’s due to America and Canada being founded by Christians.

I read an entire book on this very topic, called What If Jesus Had Never Been Born? I’d highly recommend checking it out. It’s crazy to think how different today’s world would be if it weren’t for one Man who died 2000 years ago. Truly crazy.

Christianity gives us hope.

Beyond anything else, this is one of the things I treasure most about what Jesus did for us. He didn’t leave us to die on Earth and sink into oblivion. No, He gave us a reason to live and a purpose in life.

I’ve struggled with a lack of motivation before, but this is one area where I’ve always been able to overcome. I honestly know I wouldn’t be where I am if it weren’t for the hope Jesus offers me. He gives me a reason to keep going, keep pushing, keep spreading His message.

Because I know where I’m going in the end – to Heaven, to be with Him forever. So enduring the hardships, the sin, the brokenness, and the darkness here on Earth for less than a century is nothing.

God makes you an offer.

God presents a deal that’s so simple. It doesn’t involve praying exactly 5 times a day, offering sacrifices, being “good enough”, or random chance. All you have to do is “Confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, and you will be saved.” (Romans 10:9)

It’s truly “an offer you can’t refuse”. Despite all the persecution Christianity has faced, it remains stronger than ever. God’s message is an unstoppable force, and today it’s calling to you.

What will you choose?

This question is a rudimentary one, but with eternal results: Will you trust in the God who sent His own Son to die to unlock the possibility of a future in paradise with you? Jesus didn’t die for those who are perfect, far from it. He died for each and every one of us, no matter how flawed we are.

But that wasn’t it. Jesus also reshaped our world for centuries to come. Without Jesus, Earth would have no hope, no law, and no joy. Imagine how much better it will be when you’re with Jesus forever. He loves you more than you can possibly fathom, and all He wants is for you to say yes.

Will you believe in Him?