What’s the Difference?
In observation of Holy Week, I have wondered how non-believers feel about this holiday and its religious significance. Although not as monumental to non-religious people as Christmas, society has made Easter a time to hunt eggs, buy candy, give gifts and visit family. If we commercialize religious holidays and take the religion out of them, we can still make money….. This all seems shady to me, but it is the society we live in today. So, I ask myself, what is the difference between Christianity and other religions and why is Easter so significant?
The differences between other faiths and Christianity consist of a few things. The first is, God came to us in spite of our wrong doing. God knew from creation that we would sin and separate ourselves from Him. Even in thousands of years of disobedience, God knew we needed a Savior, so he sent His Son Jesus Christ as a perfect sacrifice for our sins. With this week being Holy Week we remember the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus. He was a human who walked among us, showed us how to live and came TO us even when His people were disobedient and did not deserve forgiveness.
Romans 5:8
“But God demonstrates his love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”
Secondly, Christians have the ability to have a relationship with God based on the sacrifice Jesus made. Other religions follow the rules, do good deeds and work to gain favor with their gods. The Bible tells us there is nothing we can do to earn salvation, but rather because we have entered into a relationship with God our lives reflect our appreciation for His sacrifice.
Ephesians 2:8-9
“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast.”
Lastly, the RESURRECTION is the reason we are separated from other religions! Not only did our God send His son to come to us, but he gave His son FOR us. God proved His promise and His power by defeating death by raising Jesus from the grave. Easter celebrates that power and is a reminder of His love for us.
Take time to reflect on the spiritual principles of Easter. Teach your children that although we enjoy the commercial parts of this holiday in good fun, we remember that the resurrection separates us from other religions and proves the existence of one true GOD! Worship God in your chosen place and remember the love displayed in His sacrifice and the power in His resurrection!
