A lot of different religions exist in this world. What makes biblical Christianity so different is the Person of Jesus Christ at the center of it. Even the Old Testament of the Bible, not just the New Testament, points to Jesus throughout its pages (Lk. 24:27, 44; Jn. 5:39; 1 Pet. 1:10-13). He makes Christianity so much more than a mere religion. What He offers goes way beyond a religious experience.
Jesus is So Much More Than Mere Religion
If everything revolves around Jesus, then He must be someone great enough to truly make a difference in people’s lives.
- Jesus is more than a religious figure like a prophet. He is God come in the flesh (Matt. 1:23; Jn. 1:1-5; Phil. 2:6-7; Heb. 1:3), — a divine Person.
- He did more than come and live on this earth once upon a time. He died and rose again and is now seated at the right hand of the Father in the heavenly realms (Eph. 1:19-21; Col. 3:1), — a living Person.
- Following Jesus is more than adhering to a creed, certain moral principles or ideals. We follow a Person, Jesus Christ, whom we can get to know and love (Jn. 1:10-13; 17:3; 1 Jn. 4:13-19; Rev. 3:20), — a Person with whom we can relate.
- Jesus is more than a good example to pattern our lives after. He is a Savior, the One who died on the cross to take our sin upon Himself so we can be made right with God (Isa. 53:5; Jn. 14:6). He is the Sovereign Lord who ascended back to heaven after His resurrection from the dead, the One to whom every knee will one day bow (Phil. 2:10), — making Him a Supreme Being to whom we owe not only our eternal destiny but also our love, service, obedience, and worship now.
Jesus Offers So Much More Than a Religious Experience
While Jesus does give eternal life to those who believe in Him (Jn. 3:16; 1 Jn. 5:13), He offers so much more. Jesus IS eternal life (Jn. 14:6), not just something He promises we will one day possess. He extends Himself to us, not just a promise or possession so we can be in a relationship with Him.
He wants us to live in the fullness of who He is (Eph. 4:13), abiding in Him and bearing fruit (Jn. 15:1-8). He offers us Himself so we can walk with Him in a love relationship. We obey His commands because we love Him (Jn. 14:15, 21; 1 Jn. 5:3; 2 Jn. 1:6), not to earn His favor (Eph. 2:8-9).
Jesus offers more than a future hope to us. He gives us purpose and meaning to live right now, considering us His co-workers (1 Cor. 3:9). He came to give us an abundant life, one to the full (Jn. 10:10).
All of this is so much more than a mere religious experience. It’s a relationship with a real Person who is ours now and through eternity.