The Difference

Hi kids,

There are a lot of religions out there. Some claim not to be religions, like atheism. But no matter, everyone, every "ism", presents a view of the world, of human purpose, and of what is "good" and "bad".

But how can you distinguish human ideas from godly ones? How can you know what to put your trust in?

You know I'm going to say Jesus. Jesus. Jesus. But let me tell you why. Everything that is not of God either says nothing matters, or it's you focused. As in, you must do more, you must be more, you need to get busy, etc.

Consider what the Bible says though.

1 Thessalonians 5:23 says,

"Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you entirely; and may your spirit and soul and body be preserved complete, without blame at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ."

Sanctification is just a fancy word for "set apart". Think of sanctification as being set apart for God's glory and purpose.

This verse is a prayer from the apostle Paul, expressing a desire for believers to be wholly sanctified by God. It emphasizes that God is the one who sanctifies us, setting us apart for His purposes. The verse also highlights the completeness of this sanctification, encompassing spirit, soul, and body, ensuring that believers are kept blameless until Jesus returns.

Philippians 1:6 says,

"being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus."

This verse emphasizes the assurance believers have in God's faithfulness. It highlights that the work of salvation and transformation that God starts in a believer's life is guaranteed to be completed. This completion is not dependent on human effort but on God's power and promise. It reassures believers that their spiritual journey is secure in Christ, and God is committed to bringing them to full maturity in Him. This aligns with the understanding that believers are fully accepted and secure in their relationship with God through Jesus Christ.

And Hebrews 10:14 states, "For by one offering He has perfected for all time those who are sanctified." This verse highlights the completeness and permanence of the work of Jesus Christ on the cross. Through His single sacrifice, believers are made perfect in their standing before God. This perfection is not about our behavior but about our spiritual status and identity in Christ. It underscores the total and once-for-all forgiveness and sanctification that believers receive through Jesus, affirming that there is no need for repeated sacrifices or additional forgiveness. This assurance allows believers to rest in the finished work of Christ, knowing they are fully accepted and secure in their relationship with God.

Again in Philippians, chapter 3, verses 7-11 says:

"But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ—the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith. I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection from the dead."

In this passage, Paul expresses that all his previous achievements and status under the Law are worthless compared to the value of knowing Christ. He emphasizes that true righteousness comes not from the Law but through faith in Christ. Paul desires to know Christ deeply, experiencing the power of His resurrection and sharing in His sufferings. This passage highlights the centrality of a personal relationship with Jesus and the transformation that comes from faith, rather than adherence to the Law. It underscores the believer's identity in Christ and the pursuit of knowing Him above all else.

Do you see how the gospel of Jesus Christ is different than anything else the world offers? I've included just a few references, but the Bible is full of examples like these, where the writers are pointing to what God has done through His Son, Jesus. If someone is trying to tell you happiness, joy, or goodness comes from what you do, just laugh, because you know those things come from knowing and trusting in what God has done.

One more verse: John 6:40 - and this is Jesus talking. Can you imagine what the hearers back then were thinking when Jesus told them this:

“For this is the will of My Father, that everyone who beholds the Son and believes in Him will have eternal life, and I Myself will raise him up on the last day.”

So don't get distracted by trying to save yourself, or save the world. Those are dead end roads. Jesus is our eternal life, and He will raise us up on the last day.

Love,

Dad