All religions are not created equal

Why are there so many different religions? Do all of them lead to God?

Romans 1:19-21 gives us some insight into why other religions besides Christianity have been established. There, the apostle Paul wrote, “For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse. For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they obecame futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened.” NKJV

Simply put, the existence of so many different religions is proof of humanity’s rejection of the one true God. There are some people who do not want to believe in God because He demands that they live holy lives. Others cannot accept the fact that eternal salvation is a free gift. Then there are those who refuse to submit to another’s authority and want to live life their way. For these reasons and more, people have invented their own religions.

Christian apologist Ravi Zacharias wrote in his book, Jesus Among Other Gods, “The desire to recreate God in our own image comes from the sin nature within us—a nature that will eventually ‘reap destruction’” (Galatians 6:7-8). NKJV

So, do all religions eventually lead to God and eternal life? Absolutely not! Such a belief is known as universalism—the belief that if one does his best to be good, follows the rules, observes sacraments and/or participates in rituals, then he will end up in Heaven. Furthermore, such a belief denies that there are no moral absolutes. One who believes that there are moral absolutes knows that only one faith can be right.

The difference between the founders of other religions and the God of the Bible is that the others are dead, but Jesus is risen (Luke 24:1-53; 1 Corinthians 15:1-58; 1 Peter 1:3).

Am I saying that anyone who rejects Jesus will be eternally separated from God? Well, what I say matters very little. It is what God says in His Word that really matters. So what does He say?

1. In 1 John 5:12, God’s Word says, “He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life.”

2. Jesus says in John 14:6, “Jesus said to him, ‘I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.’”

3. Acts 4:12 says, “Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”

Here’s the deal: Either Jesus is a liar, a lunatic or Lord. Because of the insurmountable proof available, as well as what He has done in my own life, I am certain, beyond the shout of a doubt, that Jesus is Lord!

Do you know Him as your Lord and Savior? If not, reach out to me today and I will share with you how you can enter into a personal, saving relationship with Him.

Read Matthew 7:14; Matthew 28:13; Luke 6:46; John 13:13; Acts 2:36; Romans 10:9; Revelation 17:14