In today’s world, religion is a topic of great diversity and contention. Islam, Catholicism, Jehovah’s Witnesses, Buddhism, Judaism, and Protestantism each claim to teach the truth about God and humanity’s purpose. Yet, when we study the Bible closely, we find that many of these belief systems deviate from the Gospel of Jesus Christ. The Apostle Paul warned about this in Galatians 1:6–9, saying:
“I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting the one who called you to live in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel—which is really no gospel at all. Evidently, some people are throwing you into confusion and are trying to pervert the gospel of Christ.”
False religions and distorted gospels are not new. However, their prevalence today highlights a critical need to discern biblical truth from human traditions and man-made doctrines.
Theologies Rooted in Human Tradition
Each religion mentioned above teaches its own version of God’s nature, humanity’s purpose, and the path to salvation. While these theologies may contain elements of truth, they ultimately establish their own righteousness apart from God. This fulfills what Paul observed in Romans 10:3:
“Since they did not know the righteousness of God and sought to establish their own, they did not submit to God’s righteousness.”
Here is a brief overview of how these religions diverge from biblical truth:
- Islam teaches that salvation is achieved through works and strict adherence to the Five Pillars, denying the divinity of Jesus and His atoning sacrifice.
- Catholicism incorporates many unbiblical traditions, such as the veneration of Mary, the concept of purgatory, and a works-based approach to salvation, which often undermines the sufficiency of Christ’s finished work on the cross.
- Jehovah’s Witnesses deny the Trinity, the deity of Christ, and the personhood of the Holy Spirit, offering a distorted view of God and salvation based on allegiance to their organization.
- Buddhism, rooted in Eastern philosophy, does not acknowledge a personal God or the need for a Savior, instead emphasizing self-enlightenment and the cessation of desire.
- Judaism, while holding to the Old Testament, largely rejects Jesus as the Messiah and the fulfillment of the Law and Prophets.
- Protestantism, though closer to biblical truth in many ways, is not exempt from error. Various denominations have added traditions and practices that stray from Scripture, leading to division and confusion.
In all these systems, human effort often replaces reliance on the grace of God through faith in Jesus Christ.
The True Gospel: A Relationship with Jesus Christ
True Christianity is not a religion created by men; it is a relationship with the living God through Jesus Christ. Jesus declared in John 14:6:
“I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”
Salvation is not achieved by human effort, traditions, or religious rituals. It is a gift of God’s grace, received through faith in Christ alone (Ephesians 2:8–9). When we are born again, the Holy Spirit comes to dwell within us, guiding us into all truth and empowering us to follow Christ as His disciples (John 16:13).
The Role of the Holy Spirit in True Christianity
A true relationship with Jesus begins with being born again. As Jesus explained to Nicodemus in John 3:3, “No one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again.” This spiritual rebirth transforms us from the inside out, enabling us to:
- Discern Truth: The Holy Spirit teaches us to distinguish between God’s Word and the false teachings of men (1 John 2:27).
- Follow Christ: True discipleship involves daily surrender to Jesus, taking up our cross, and walking in obedience to His commands (Luke 9:23).
- Bear Fruit: A genuine relationship with Christ produces the fruit of the Spirit—love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22–23).
Tradition vs. Truth
One of the biggest obstacles to embracing true Christianity is the weight of tradition. Many people inherit their religious beliefs from their parents or culture, never questioning whether those beliefs align with Scripture. Jesus rebuked the Pharisees for this very reason, saying in Mark 7:7–8:
“They worship me in vain; their teachings are merely human rules. You have let go of the commands of God and are holding on to human traditions.”
Religious tradition, no matter how sincere, cannot save. Only a personal relationship with Jesus Christ can.
Conclusion: Jesus Is the Only Way
In a world filled with competing religious messages, the Bible calls us to test everything against the Word of God (1 Thessalonians 5:21). False religion leads people away from the truth, offering a counterfeit gospel that cannot save. True Christianity, however, is not about religion—it is about knowing and following Jesus Christ.
Jesus alone is the way, the truth, and the life. He invites everyone into a relationship with Him, where the Holy Spirit leads us into all truth and enables us to live as His disciples. Let us cast aside man-made traditions and cling to the true Gospel, proclaiming with confidence that salvation is found in no one else but Jesus Christ (Acts 4:12).
