Satan's Lie: Any Religion Will Do

Each week, I engage with people of other religions. I ask a Buddhist, “What are your goals in life?” I ask a Hindu, “What do you think about the Bible?” I ask a Muslim, “Who is Jesus?” It’s intriguing to have these conversations, as they open my eyes to other worldviews. But one thing I also learn is that all of these religions, including Christianity, are fundamentally contradictory to one another.

The Buddhist believes that the ultimate goal is to cease, to be “quenched,” to reach nirvana. The Hindu has not read the Bible, but believes it to be a good book, since it can lead us to one more god. The Muslim believes Jesus was a historically good man, even a prophet, but truly not the Son of God.

On the other hand, Christianity has as its goal “to be well pleasing to Him” (2 Cor. 5:9). Christianity holds the Bible as the only inspired message of God on earth today, able to equip us “for every good work” (2 Tim. 3:16-17; cf. Gal. 1:6-12). Christianity teaches that Jesus is “the Christ, the Son of the living God,” and “the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through [Him]” (Matt. 16:16; John 14:6). Do you see how Christianity is not compatible with other religions?

Celebrities today tell their millions of adoring fans there are many different ways to God. Well-meaning, sincere religious leaders say we are all on different roads, but we are headed to the same destination. Tell me, if all of that were true, then why did Jesus come to earth?

Before Jesus took on flesh, plenty of other religions existed. There were gods for nearly all natural (and even some unnatural) things and events. And even within Judaism, there were many different sects to choose from. There were enough to choose from to safely say there would have been a religion for every one. Satan tells us today that any religion will do. If that’s true, Jesus’ mission on earth was meaningless.

Jesus certainly didn’t come to earth to be adored (He was mocked, tortured, and killed). It certainly wasn’t to obtain political power (He refused for His disciples to make Him king on earth). It certainly wasn’t to provide just another option (He corrected false ideas and called sinners and the self-righteous to repentance).

Why did He come? From His own mouth: “For this cause I was born, and for this cause I have come into the world, that I should bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice” (John 18:37). If it is the case that Jesus Christ is the truth (He is), then that must mean those in contradiction to Him are false (they are). No matter the religion, if it is not the religion started by Jesus Christ Himself, substantiated by the fact that He rose from the dead, then it will not do. It will not provide true joy. It will not fulfill your purpose in life. It will not get you to heaven.

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ. Ephesians 1:3.

Christ is the only source of all spiritual blessings. All other religions are seriously lacking.

As we peer into the pages of Scripture, we see that Jesus truly is the only way to know God. “He is the image of the invisible God” (Col. 1:15). If you truly know Jesus, you know the Father (John 14:7). Founders of other religions cannot do that—not Buddha, not Krishna, not Joseph Smith, not Mohammed. Can you be a morally upright citizen of earth and be a member of one of these other religions? Of course. Can you be a citizen of heaven and be a member of one of these other religions? No.

Brethren, join in following my example, and note those who so walk, as you have us for a pattern. For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ: whose end is destruction, whose god is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame—who set their mind on earthly things. For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body that it may be conformed to His glorious body, according to the working by which He is able even to subdue all things to Himself. Philippians 3:17–21.

“[Jesus] is the stone which was rejected by you builders, which has become the chief cornerstone.” Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved. Acts 4:11–12.

Dear Reader, Satan has deceived many people of our generation with the lie that any religion will do. I hope you’re not next. To believe this lie is to deny everything that Jesus came for, everything the gospel stands for, and everything that Christianity proclaims.

As we began, we noticed that not any religion will do, simply because not all religions are compatible. In fact, no other religion is compatible with Christianity. But let’s take that logic further. Instead of looking outward to “other religions,” look inwardly to “Christianity.” There are many different flavors of Christianity that are also not compatible with each other. There are different denominations meeting in every city, teaching opposing doctrines. If two groups teach different things on any issue, they both cannot be teaching the truth from the Bible.

The New Testament emphasizes that Jesus did not come to the earth to start new religions (plural). Instead, He came to establish His church (singular) (Matt. 16:18), “which He purchased with His own blood” (Acts 20:28). That church is His body (Eph. 1:22–23), and there is only “one body” (Eph. 4:4–6).

Do not believe Satan’s lie that any religion will do. Do not believe Satan’s lie that division in Christianity and man-made churches and denominations are acceptable in God’s eyes. Long before any denominations existed, the Bible boldly proclaimed, “Christ is head of the church; and He is the Savior of the body” (Eph. 5:23). Just as God would have us reject false religions, we are also to reject denominationalism and man-made churches. Instead, trust that God knew what He was doing by establishing His church centuries before recognized denominations.

If you believe in Christianity, you’re in good company. Not only is it the only way to be confident you’re pleasing to God, but history, archaeology, and science are also on your side, testifying to the truthfulness of Christianity. Jesus isn’t some fairytale man, made up to give us good feelings. He was a real man, born on this earth as “God with us,” in order to be like us (Matt. 1:23). He promised to build His church (Matt. 16:18), establish His kingdom (Mark 9:1), and provide forgiveness of sins and salvation to all who forsake themselves and other religions, and trust and obey Him (Mark 16:15–16; Luke 9:23–27; Acts 2:38). Those who are of God’s true family have been added to His church, which He planned from the foundation of the world (Acts 2:47; Eph. 1:4–6). Does this describe you?

The lie that any religion will do nullifies Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection. Reject that lie, and cling to the beautiful life that is Christianity.

Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Philippians 2:5–11.

Satan's Lie: Any Religion Will Do

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