Man-made systems of righteousness, whether it is religious or non-religious, are based on pride of accomplishment. Men do not easily give up their self-reliance. They find it difficult to humbly repent and admit they are guilty sinners who cannot save themselves. They believe in their own self-righteousness – by keeping some rituals, worshipping idols and doing some social work. Although they fall far short of God’s standard, they persist in their ways, implying their way is superior to God’s way.
God knew that man cannot save himself because he is slave to sin. A slave cannot save another slave, so He in the form of His Son, came down to save mankind. The Gospel of grace is, nearly too good to be a good news to all who recognise they are hopelessly lost in sin, and in order to be right with God, need a Saviour. A living saviour, (Jesus) for a dying world. This is the difference between Christianity and other religion.
God’s Righteousness For Man is faith in Jesus Christ. If you believe that Jesus died for your sins and paid the price for the punishment, which God, as a Just Judge has kept for all who sin. Then you are considered righteous in the sight of God. Make Jesus as Lord in your life. It means not alone considering Him as a higher person; but trust and lean on Him for everything. Submit & Trust. Do not depend on your own strength or knowledge or your own righteousness.
God, Devil, Heaven, Hell, Sin, Punishment- are all common in other religions also, but not the Good News Of Salvation, which the Bible proclaims. Good News is Jesus removed your sins by His Blood and gives His righteousness to all who believes, that is the righteousness of God to us. Do not put your faith on your own good works. Our works do not bring the righteousness which God prefers. Put faith in the grace of God i.e. righteousness through Jesus Christ, who died and came alive to save us.
Now-a-days some who do not believe in any religion started saying no one is sinful here and so there is no need for a Saviour. 1 John 1:5-10(NIV) For them these verses are clearly saying if you say you are not a sinner, then you will make God a liar. Let us not deceive ourselves with all kinds of wrong doctrines. There are no many ways to reach God. There is only One way, One God and One Lord i.e. Jesus Christ.
“…….Jesus answered, “I am the Way and the Truth and the Life. No one comes to the Father except through me……. Anyone who has seen Me has seen the Father.” – John 14:1-14(NIV)
God made eternal life so simple. Yet we find many going to eternal death denying this:
“The Lord Jesus is not slow in keeping His promise of His Second Coming, He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance and escape Hell. The Day Of The Lord Jesus will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar, the elements will be destroyed by fire and the earth and everything in it will be laid bare.” 2 Peter 3:3-13(NIV)
We have very limited time of Grace Period and within this time if we refuse to believe in Jesus, He is going to come as a Judge in His second coming. At that time no one can negotiate with Him. God will Judge and Punish those who refused to receive Jesus. There is no escape.