Ezekiel 12:1-14:11 / Hebrews 7:1-17 / Psalm 105:37-45 / Proverbs 27:3
Religion is an interesting topic. Religion is defined by Merriam Webster as: “An organized system of beliefs, ceremonies, and rules used to worship a god or a group of gods.” Each religion names its god and has certain ways that god demands to be worshiped. I am not fully familiar with every aspect of religions other than Christianity, although I know a little about several belief systems.
Instead of studying the other religions and their gods, I want to focus on the Truth found in the Christian faith. Feel free to compare by implication with other religions you have familiarity with. In Christianity, we do not work to earn our salvation. Jesus Christ has paid the price fully for our salvation by His death on the cross, burial, and resurrection.
In Christianity, we are not required to offer sacrifices, offerings of food or incense, or subject ourselves to bodily harm or injury. Jesus Christ is our sacrifice, and the old system of animal sacrifice was done away with. If you know a religion that practices blood sacrifice, you can be assured this religion does not lead to life.
In Christianity, we are not required to observe certain days to make ourselves holy. We are holy through the blood Jesus Christ shed on the cross, and this gift of holiness allows us to approach the Father in Heaven. We are given free access to the Father through the Son, Jesus Christ. We no longer require someone to mediate between us and God, such as a priest. That is because Jesus has become our priest.
It is this last point of Jesus Christ being our priest who allows us access to the Father that I want to talk more about. Hebrews 7 has several references to Jesus Christ as Messiah and priest. For example in verse 11b “Why was there still need for another priest to come, one in the order of Melchizedek, not in the order of Aaron?” New International Version (NIV). Aaron was from the tribe of Levi out of which all priests came. Jesus, here, referred to as from the order of Melchizedek, was from the tribe of Judah. Yet he was still referred to as another priest.
Hebrews 7:16 says of Jesus: “One who has become a priest not on the basis of a regulation as to his ancestry but on the basis of the power of an indestructible life.” (NIV). The priesthood of Jesus was ordained by God, and Jesus who was God in the flesh lived a perfect, sinless life. This makes Him alone our perfect High Priest through whom we may approach God.
In Christianity, we are allowed direct access to the One God who created all things through the Son Jesus Christ. Jesus was a unique son who was fully God yet lowered Himself into the form of man so that He might save us from death. No other religion allows direct access to the deity. The other religions I’ve learned about require something of the follower yet offer little to nothing in return. Followers of other religions require sacrifices of different kinds, observances of all sorts, and perhaps the follower is given a measure of peace and hope in the practice. However, any acts a man or woman can offer will never remove the guilt of sin and punishment of death.
There is only one way to escape sin and death and it has nothing to do with what we have done or anything we will do to make ourselves righteous, or right with God. We cannot make ourselves righteous. I understand that what I’m sharing will only be received if the Holy Spirit is present to reveal to our hearts the Truth. So, I pray that those who read this post will have the gift of Holy Spirit enlightening their hearts and minds toward Truth.
If you have attempted to earn your salvation, or even to keep your salvation or to be righteous apart from what God has provided, may Holy Spirit lift the veil from your eyes and heart and may you be able to see and to hear Truth. Jesus Christ is the only way to the Father (John 14:6). He is the only door. He is the only escape. Run to Him and be saved!
