Jesus versus Islam/Buddhism/Hinduism/etc.
Does it really matter whom we choose to follow regarding life here and hereafter?
When approaching the god I will serve and to whom my life will be dedicated, there have been many options offered through time into the present. Civilizations have chosen natural phenomena, geographical features, outstanding people, or noble causes as the driving force (god) of life.
A few years ago while sitting in a room with others receiving IV transfusions, I spoke with a man who touted the religions he encountered while in India, where he’d witnessed “supernatural signs”. He claimed he’d been told of people being raised from the dead. (We had plenty of time so we had a conversation.) As we spoke, I confessed that my inquiries and study had led me to believe strongly in the God of the Holy Bible to the point that I believed and received forgiveness and a new life through faith in God’s Son, Jesus Christ.
Jesus is the only one I have found who was prophesied, fulfilled those prophecies, was virgin born, lived a sinless life, died voluntarily on a cross, rose from the dead, was affirmed by the lives and deaths of His followers, was seen by hundreds after His resurrection, and promises to return. Bottom line: Jesus Christ changed my life and pursued a deep, love relationship with me showing Himself to be faithful and true. He loves me and wants me with Him forever. No other “god” offers and delivers on those truths.
I told the other gentleman at the doctor’s office that I was going to stick with the one who did all that and particularly had risen from the dead to reveal that He had power over life and death. I am sticking with Jesus.
Mohammed didn’t do any of that. I agree that he was a great military leader and had done some pretty amazing things in his life amassing a large following then and now, but his legacy was not love, mercy, forgiveness, or grace. He did not die to save others from sin and hell or resurrect from the grave showing himself alive to many witnesses. Jesus did.
Perhaps the greatest reason I am sticking with Jesus is the truth He revealed in John 13:34-35 when He said, “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”
Not only did/does Jesus demonstrate the reality of His love and power, but He offers us The Way to have His love become a part of our character and personality, and then opens the door to heaven where we’ll be with Him forever – living in His love!
I have staked my life and hope on the truth and love of Jesus Christ. I respect the religious leaders in other religious systems (most of them), but only Jesus is the Savior sent from the Father to purchase eternal life for those who believe that He died on the cross for our sins, was buried, and rose again from the dead. (I Corinthians 15:1-7; Romans 1:16; 2 Timothy 1:12)
Every other “religion” I have studied is based not on grace, faith, love, and fulfilled promises but on our ability to earn eternal life, on the keeping of enough laws or rules to deserve acceptance into “heaven”.