Thousands of religions exist in today's world, but what is true religion? How can anyone know if any one religion is better than another or if any particular religion is true?
One common element of a religious system is a focus on a particular set of beliefs and practices required in order to be "successful" within the religion. For example, Islam has Five Pillars essential to practice among all Muslims. Buddhism includes the Eight Noble Truths. Judaism follows the Law of Moses written in the Torah.
Yet Christianity offers a unique religious belief system that is not based on rituals but rather on a relationship. The Bible teaches that no level of works could make a person good enough to earn eternity with a perfect God in heaven (Ephesians 2:8-9). In fact, Scripture affirms all have sinned and fall short of God's glory (Romans 3:23). The deserving punishment for human sin is eternal separation from God or spiritual death (Romans 6:23).
In biblical Christianity, the one and only solution to the problem of sin is found in Jesus Christ. As both perfect God and perfect man, He came to earth to offer His own life as a substitute for sin (Romans 5:8). If we confess that Jesus is Lord and believe God raised Him from the dead, we will be saved (Romans 10:9). By God's gift of grace we are saved from sin through faith in Jesus (Ephesians 2:8). The result is the forgiveness of sin (Acts 10:43) and eternal life (John 3:16).
True religion includes the way we live (James 1:27) but involves more than a set of rules or rituals. Without a relationship with Jesus Christ through faith, religion is insufficient for making us right with God. Instead, we receive Jesus by faith (John 1:14) and become a child of God. As a result of our changed lives, we serve Him and others as a spiritual act of worship (Romans 12:1-2).
Have you sought to improve your life based on religious rituals and works instead of a relationship with Jesus? Are you ready to enter into a true relationship with God? If so, take time right now to place your faith in Jesus Christ. There is no special prayer you must pray to do so. Words won't save you; only Jesus will. However, the following prayer is one you can use to accept Jesus Christ as your Savior:
"Dear God, I realize I am a sinner and could never reach heaven by my own good deeds. Religious rules and rituals will not save me. Only you can save me. So right now I place my faith in Jesus Christ as God's Son who died for my sins and rose from the dead to give me eternal life. Please forgive me of my sins and help me to live for you. Thank you for accepting me and giving me eternal life."
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