The Only Solution to Our Dilemma

God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
–Romans 5:8

How do we know that Christianity is the exclusive way to God? Only Christianity has the solution to man’s dilemma. Almost all the world religions will agree that we are flawed. They say that the key to achieving the afterlife, or having a better life here, is to overcome these flaws. Not only that, the world religions say that the solution to our flawed self begins with us. We have to overcome our deficiencies. Eastern religions like Hinduism and Buddhism say it is through transcendental meditation that we realize our greater self. Other religions like Islam say it is by worshipping a god and keeping his list of requirements that we can earn that deity’s forgiveness. Only Christianity offers the unique solution to man’s dilemma.

Christianity agrees with other religions in saying that we all are flawed, but Christianity’s diagnosis of man’s problem is much more severe. Christianity says we are not just flawed spiritually; we are dead spiritually. Romans 3:23 says, “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” Unlike other religions, Christianity doesn’t allow selective obedience to a list of laws. In Galatians 3:10, Paul said, “For as many as are of the works of the Law are under a curse.” Then he quotes Deuteronomy: “Cursed is everyone who does not abide by all things written in the book of the law, to perform them.”

Have you ever taken a pass-fail course? If you meet a minimum standard, you don’t have to worry about your grade. I have some good news and some bad news for you. God grades us according to the pass-fail system. You either pass or you fail. That’s the good news. Here’s the bad news. No one of us can pass. You see, God doesn’t allow for 80 percent compliance with His laws. The Bible is very clear. James 2:10 says, “Whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles in one point, he has become guilty of all.” God’s standard is not 80 percent, 90 percent, or even 99 percent. It is 100 percent compliance with God’s law. If you fail to keep even one of God’s laws, then you are guilty of breaking the whole law. You fail.

You say, “Nobody can keep that standard.” Exactly. That is the point of Christianity. We are all incapable of meeting God’s requirements for eternal life. But the good news of the gospel is that Jesus Christ paid the penalty for our sin. When we trust in Christ as our Savior, we are admitting our inability to pass God’s requirement. We are saying, “God, I have sinned. I have failed You. I have fallen short of Your plan for my life.” But when we trust in Christ as our Savior, we are saying, “I believe that when Jesus died, He paid the penalty for my sin. He took the wrath of God that I deserve, and only by trusting in and believing in Him can I have eternal life.” Every other religion says, “You are saved by works.” Only Christianity says, “You are saved by grace.”

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Today’s devotion is excerpted from “God’s Exclusive Christmas Offer to You” by Dr. Robert Jeffress, 2013.

Scripture quotations are taken from the NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE®, Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission.