Therefore, if you died with Christ from the basic principles of the world, why, as though living in the world, do you subject yourselves to regulations- “Do not touch, do not taste, do not handle,” which all concern things which perish with the using—according to the commandments and doctrines of men? These things indeed have an appearance of wisdom in self-imposed religion, false humility, and neglect of the body, but are of no value against the indulgence of the flesh. – (Col 2:20–23).
I have frequently expressed two ideas: one can place the Bible on one end of a table and all other religious texts on the opposite. Though my opinion may be biased, it is the truth and it can be objectively proven. The second idea I have shared is that Christianity stands apart from all other religions and philosophies worldwide, and I will explain why.
The appeal of religion to our fallen human nature lies in the belief that we can achieve our atonement. All religions acknowledge our inherent flaws but offer a solution: if we follow the prescribed rules, we can improve our standing. This system reinforces the egotistical pride that is part of human nature. We find comfort in the lists of do's and don'ts that religions provide, as we are responsible for following them. This provides a sense of moral accomplishment and progress, leading to comparison and competition. We measure our adherence to the rules against the objective list but also compare ourselves to others to see who is “righteous”. Thus, religion becomes a social hierarchy, with individuals vying for the title of most devout according to their respective religion.
Christianity differs from all other religions in that it asserts that salvation is not earned through human effort or good works but is granted to those who have faith in what has already been accomplished. In the messages of the gospel, works is not a means to attain redemption, rather, they serve as a natural consequence of it. Christianity emphasizes faith in the sacrifice of Jesus as the means of salvation; other world religions view good works as necessary for achieving an eternal reward or a better reincarnation. For Example
Islam: In Islam, salvation is achieved by following the Five Pillars of Islam and obeying Allah's commands as outlined in the Quran. Good works are seen to earn favour with God and are necessary for salvation. Muslims are encouraged to do good deeds, give to charity, and perform acts of kindness to achieve the eternal reward.
Judaism: In Judaism, salvation is not viewed in the same way as in Christianity or Islam. Instead, the focus is on following God's laws and commandments, as outlined in the Torah, to live a life of holiness and righteousness. Good works are seen to fulfill one's duty to God and to live a life of service to others.
Hinduism: Hinduism teaches that salvation is achieved through reincarnation and karma, where a person's actions in one life determine their status in the next. Good works are seen to accumulate positive karma, leading to a better reincarnation in the next life. The goal is to achieve moksha, or liberation from the cycle of reincarnation, which can be attained through spiritual practices and self-realization.
Buddhism: In Buddhism, salvation is achieved through enlightenment, which is achieved through the Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path. Good works are seen to accumulate positive karma and cultivate compassion and generosity, which are necessary for achieving enlightenment. The ultimate goal is to achieve Nirvana or liberation from suffering and the cycle of rebirth.
Now, turning to Colossians chapter 2, verses 20 and 21, we see the Apostle Paul warns against relying solely on human effort and religious rules for salvation. He writes, "Since you died with Christ to the elemental spiritual forces of this world, why, as though you still belonged to the world, do you submit to its rules: 'Do not handle! Do not taste! Do not touch!'?" Here, Paul is cautioning against emphasizing external religious practices and rituals, which can distract from the trustworthy source of salvation - faith in Christ's sacrifice.
As we reflect on the differences between Christianity and other world religions, we can see that the appearance of wisdom lies in recognizing that we cannot achieve our salvation through our efforts. We are not saved by our work or by following rules and rituals. Instead, salvation comes through faith in Jesus Christ, who has already accomplished everything necessary for our redemption. As Paul writes in Colossians, we have died with Christ to the elemental spiritual forces of this world, and our focus should be on faith in Him rather than on external rules and regulations. Remember that true wisdom comes from recognizing our need for a saviour and trusting the one who has already saved us.
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