I will explain to the world why I think that Jesus Christ the Lord is indeed the only way to salvation, and I sincerely welcome all arguments that might prove me wrong. Please do not hesitate to prove me wrong for I desperately need to know the answer to this question. I need to know the Truth. To begin, we must define terms: What is the definition of Salvation? Although there are many sources of definitions, they are all basically saying the same definition. According to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary, Salvation is defined as:
“1 a: deliverance from the power and effects of sin b: the agent or means that effects salvation [my emphasis added] c: Christian Science : the realization of the supremacy of infinite Mind over all bringing with it the destruction of the illusion of sin, sickness, and death 2: liberation from ignorance or illusion 3 a: preservation from destruction or failureb: deliverance from danger or difficulty.”
Indeed, these are very powerful and very real definitions. So, according to the first definition of Salvation above (1a: “deliverance from the power and effects of sin”), What then is the definition of “Sin?”
According to Merriam-Webster Dictionary, Sin is defined as:
“1 a: an offense against religious or moral law b: an action that is or is felt to be highly reprehensible <it's a sin to waste food> c: an often serious shortcoming : fault2 a: transgression of the law of God b: a vitiated state of human nature in which the self is estranged from God.”
Most of the sin definitions above can be debatable because if sin is a “transgression of the law of God,” or “an offense against religious or moral law,” then whose “God” or “Religion” are we talking about since there are many religions. But for all practical purposes, most people would generally agree that sin may be defined as “An action that is or is felt to be highly reprehensible” regardless of what Religion, nation, sex, race or ethnic background you belong to. For example, killing your neighbor to steal his possessions; having sex with your children; throwing your baby away; or killing your own family out of envy, are considered very sinful (or extremely bad and reprehensive) by all societies and civilizations on this planet. For those who do not think so, then you have a very serious mental problem and a very sinful nature. So Sin is something bad to the welfare of human beings, but where did this Sin come from? What is the origin of Sin and why do we need this so-called Salvation? Why can’t sciences like natural Science (Physics, Chemistry, etc...), Psychiatry or Psychology help us eliminate this Sin. And if these sciences can eliminate Sin, then Science would be the Salvation to the human race. Unfortunately, it seems that Sciences can Not eliminate sin, but can only treat some of its after-effects, as for example, healing a victim. It would be interesting to know if these sciences have an explanation to the origin of sin (or whatever they classify or call these illnesses).
So, it seems evident that sin is throughout the world and in every nation whether by illegal activities, wars, killings, etc..; but is there a satisfactory explanation for its origin? According to one source, the Holy Bible—a book of ancient writings claimed to be inspired by the Holy Spirit and given to humans2---sin entered the world through human disobedience to the commandment of God Almighty. According to this Holy Bible, it seems that this God order the first human3 to delight himself in God’s creation of fruits and vegetables and happiness, etc.; but God instructed him Not to eat from the “Tree of Knowledge of Good and Bad,…the moment you eat from it you are surely doomed to die.” (Genesis 2: 15-17).* Shortly thereafter, God creates a woman (second story of creation), but a serpent (a spiritual being or a fallen angel?) influenced and deceived the woman to eat the forbidden fruit, saying:
“you certainly will not die! No, God knows well that the moment you eat of it your eyes will be opened and you will be like gods who know what is good and what is bad.” (Genesis 3: 4-5). *
Because the man and woman disobeyed God, and because the Serpent deceived the humans; God’s punishment has come upon the human race, that is to say, Sin entered our world. To Satan (the serpent), God stated:
“I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and hers; He will strike at your head, while you strike at his heel.” (Genesis 3: 15).*
Note: This Is An Extremely Important Passage To Understand Why Jesus Christ The Lord Is The Only Savior, Because It Is Precisely Here Where God Has Established His Plan Of Sin And Salvation. The Holy Bible Speaks In Crypt, And The Mysteries To The Fate Of The Human Race Are Available To Those Who Want To Know The Truth. This Is One Extremely Important Passage To Understanding What God Has Intended For The Human Race (Fate Of Humanity). This Is An Extremely Important Passage To Understanding Why There Is Sin In The World, And Why Jesus Christ The Lord Is The Only Savior.
“He will strike at your head” (i.e., Jesus Christ will Strike Satan and defeat this power and his followers forever. This event has not yet occurred, and it is indicated heavily in the book of revelation); “while you strike at his heel” (Satan struck at the Lord Jesus Christ almost 2000 years ago when he was crucified) (Genesis 3:15). This passage is extremely important to realize why Jesus Christ the Lord is the Only savior for this world, regardless of race, ethnic background, sexual orientation, culture, nation, or wherever you live, and regardless of what religion you belong to.
This is basically God’s plan for the world without getting into technical Revelations: God has given the human race just a limited amount of time for us (humans) to govern ourselves. Whether we are governed by city, state, national governments, or international establishments (United Nations, etc..); All human governments on this planet will ultimately come to an end. This end of government and the ruler of this world will only happen after the second coming of the Lord Jesus Christ on planet earth. Those of us who are saved will spend eternity with Jesus Christ as our leader. This is the belief of Christianity. Until then, or rather, until the second coming of the Lord Jesus Christ, we are living in a world of sin. I must admit, this plan is so spectacular that it still does not cease to amaze me.
So, having consumed this Christian belief, I say to myself: How can Jesus Christ be the Only savior in this world! What about all of those other nice religions and people in other countries and other cultures—are they all wrong? Is there religion wrong? Will they be unsaved? Will they go to hell forever? Preposterous! How can good intentional people go to hell forever simply because they belong to another religion besides Christianity. How absurd is this notion that only Christians who believe in Jesus Christ will be saved? There are many people, who belong to other religions that are living a Godly life, and they are obeying the laws of their government, society, and customs, etc., and they are indeed righteous according to their religious belief if they follow their religion. One of the most disturbing concepts I have in understanding Christians is how Christians tortured and killed other Christians, and others people, during the Spanish Inquisition and at various times throughout history under the banner of Christianity. There are many martyrs who were killed by their own people and in some cases by their own religions. Of course there are very good people who belong to other religions and God Almighty will either bless them or punish them according to their deeds here on earth.
Please take a look now at the definition of Salvation in 1b above: “ the agent or means that effects salvation,” that is to say, Jesus Christ will be the Only agent to bring Salvation to the human race when he defeats Satan forever. Until then, Wars, killings, violence, and Sin will be with us on this planet. Indeed, the Holy Bible gives us an explanation of how sin entered this world, and indeed, the Holy Bible also explains to us how Jesus Christ the Lord and Savior will defeat sin forever. Whether you are a Christian or not, or whether you believe this or not, this is going to happen. And Jesus Christ will be the chosen Savior to end sin in this world.
One of the hardest concept that I have with Religion is this: If there is only One True God, let’s take for example the God in Christianity, the same God who was with Moses during the 10 plagues and the same God who opened the sea, etc…; If there is only One True God according to Christians, why can’t there be another powerful God also! What about other Gods in other Religions? Are other religions wrong or false? If one religion says Not to kill or steal, and another different religion says not to kill or steal, then are they not both saying the same thing! Well, what do other religions say? Of course, other religions have good teachings about living a good life. It would be interesting to know if other religions explain the origin of sins, and who will be the savior of the world. It would be interesting to know if other religions have revelations that explain the End Times, and the ultimate ending and Salvation on this planet. We must look at all religions and understand what they are telling us. If someone had the opportunity and privilege to read about All the major religions on earth without prejudice and with an open mind, I think that they would then decide to seek the truth. Who knows, maybe you will be moved by the Holy Spirit to seek the Truth after reading about religion.
Just think of it, If God ever told me, or revealed himself to me; or if I ever had the opportunity to Feel, Experience, and Know this Awesome God; or if I am grateful to be Inspired by this Awesome God who claimed to say:
“ I, the Lord, am your God, ….you shall not carve idols for yourselves in the shape of anything in the sky above or on the earth; you shall not bow down before them or worship them….for I, the Lord, am a jealous God, inflicting punishment…” (Exodus 20: 2-6, my emphasis added); then I would be crazy to think that there is another way to salvation after learning this truth! But of course, every human must have their own religious or Divine experience in their life.
Another interesting thought that has also been a strong influence to me is that if we as humans can be saved by other means besides the Lord Jesus Christ, then Why did God have to let Jesus Christ the Lord suffer and be crucified on that cross in order to save the human race. Did God make a mistake? Why did Jesus Christ the Lord have to die for us in order for us to be saved (Salvation) when we could be saved by other ways. There are going to be people who probably do not even believe that Jesus Christ existed or was ever crucified, but I think that there is too much evidence, influence, and history to the contrary.
Personally, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Only Lord and Savior for the reasons stated above, and from personally witnessing the power of this Awesome God—this master creator of the universe. Blessed and praised be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
NOTES
1, John Chapter 8: 12—59 ; John 10:32
2, The Following sources are references to the Holy Bible being inspired by Holy Spirit.
See: "The Holy Spirit… will teach you all things, and bring you to remembrance all that I
said to you… He will guide you into all the truth" (Jn.14:26, 16:13)…
· John 10:32
· 1 Corinthians 2:9-13
· 1 Thessalonians 2:13
· 2 Timothy 3:16
· 2 Peter 1: 20-21
* The New American Bible
Salvation Definition Website: http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/salvation
Sin definition Website: http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sin
Anthony DeGiosafatto--author