What Makes Christianity Any Different?

Many people are turned off by Christianity because they believe it’s all about being religious or because it makes them feel guilty. But there is a big difference between religion and genuine Christianity.

Religion is spelled "D - O." It consists of trying to do enough good things to somehow please God, earn his forgiveness, and hopefully, gain entrance into heaven. This self-effort plan can take on many forms, from trying to be a good, moral, person, to becoming an active participant in an organized religion - Christian or otherwise.

The problem is, we can never know when we have done enough. Even worse, the Bible makes it clear that we can never do enough. It states in Romans 3:23: "All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." Simply put, the "D - O" plan cannot bring us peace with God or even peace with ourselves.

Genuine Christianity, as Jesus came to announce it, is spelled "D - O - N - E." In other words, that which we could never do for ourselves, Jesus has already done for us. He lived the perfect life we could never live, and He died on the cross to pay for each of our wrongdoings. And He now freely offers us His gift of forgiveness and leadership for our lives.

However, it’s not enough to just know this; a genuine journey with God begins when we humbly receive what he has done for us. We do that by asking for His forgiveness and leadership in our lives.

There is no person so moral or religious that he or she can earn their peace with God. There is nobody who has messed up their life so badly that Jesus' loving sacrifice can't overcome it and give a fresh new start.

Living as a Christian isn't about having to earn our salvation. Instead it's about living a grateful journey of joy with the God who loves to forgive people, and who wants to bring healing change their lives from the inside out. You matter to God!

If you'd like to find out more about how to get started in a journey with God, feel free to look up the information under that heading or E-mail a question to our pastor. We'd love to hear from you and want to walk with you on your spiritual journey.