So Many Spiritual Paths - So Many Choices [Spirituality & Religion]
With so many spiritual paths to choose from, how are we to know which to follow??
Let me share with you, which I follow, and why. Nothing says you have to agree. In fact, if you have a better solution for salvation, I would love to hear it, and the reasons behind it. Let's look at our options. Please be civil and respectful to all participating. As follows:
First, God is not the author of confusion. He didn't leave us to guess whether or not the numerous paths we take in life will actually lead to an exact or similar, ultimate outcome. Jesus explained that they don't. Not in a spiritual sense. "There's a way that seems right to man, but the end thereof, is death." Physical and spiritual death.
Every one of the following, except Christianity, is a "works" or law-based system for achieving salvation. All of them are work-based concepts. For example:
With Zoroastrianism, the person has to win the struggle over evil.
Judaism - You must obey the Jewish law and customs.
Islam - Muslims must practice the "five pillars" successfully.
Hinduism - The individual must purify himself from evil in life after life after life.
Sikhism - Proper worship and conduct must be performed in order to be worthy to be saved.
Confucianism - Heaven on earth is possible, but only through personal conformity to the rules of society.
Shintoism - Must maintain Japanese supremacy at all costs.
Taoism - No harmony (that's as good as heaven gets).
Paganism - Must appease the gods and spirits, in order to be rewarded.
Atheism, compliance to a system or a philosophy. You've got to do that to be happy; or total non-compliance, in order to be free. So you're either going to be an anarchist - break all the rules, or keep all the rules, but you've got to deal with the rules.
Note that in every single one of these religions, the burden is on the human being to do something, or achieve something, or comply with someone or something, in order to earn or find heaven, nirvana, salvation, happiness, moksha, Brahma, you name it. You've got to do something in order to be worthy of it.
Christianity is the only spiritual path, where the offer and the burden for accomplishing salvation, rests solely with God, and man can do nothing on his own to deserve or to accomplish his salvation.
Religion is described as man-made philosophy, and we know that man, in his sins, cannot save himself, as his sins still separate him from God the Father. No sin can enter heaven, but there's hope, in Jesus, because He is the only God that has access to His (and our) Heavenly Father... to plead our sinful condition, on our behalf, before a Holy God. He is our only Mediator between God and man. Other paths simply cannot fulfill our need to have our sins erased, and yes, forgotten, so we may enter His Heavenly home, cleansed and justified by the blood of Jesus. Jesus purchased us with His blood, and paid our sin-debt, so we could have eternal life in heaven. There's no other gift so sweet and precious. He gave His all. I cannot give Him less.
Let me share with you, which I follow, and why. Nothing says you have to agree. In fact, if you have a better solution for salvation, I would love to hear it, and the reasons behind it. Let's look at our options. Please be civil and respectful to all participating. As follows:
First, God is not the author of confusion. He didn't leave us to guess whether or not the numerous paths we take in life will actually lead to an exact or similar, ultimate outcome. Jesus explained that they don't. Not in a spiritual sense. "There's a way that seems right to man, but the end thereof, is death." Physical and spiritual death.
Every one of the following, except Christianity, is a "works" or law-based system for achieving salvation. All of them are work-based concepts. For example:
With Zoroastrianism, the person has to win the struggle over evil.
Judaism - You must obey the Jewish law and customs.
Islam - Muslims must practice the "five pillars" successfully.
Hinduism - The individual must purify himself from evil in life after life after life.
Sikhism - Proper worship and conduct must be performed in order to be worthy to be saved.
Confucianism - Heaven on earth is possible, but only through personal conformity to the rules of society.
Shintoism - Must maintain Japanese supremacy at all costs.
Taoism - No harmony (that's as good as heaven gets).
Paganism - Must appease the gods and spirits, in order to be rewarded.
Atheism, compliance to a system or a philosophy. You've got to do that to be happy; or total non-compliance, in order to be free. So you're either going to be an anarchist - break all the rules, or keep all the rules, but you've got to deal with the rules.
Note that in every single one of these religions, the burden is on the human being to do something, or achieve something, or comply with someone or something, in order to earn or find heaven, nirvana, salvation, happiness, moksha, Brahma, you name it. You've got to do something in order to be worthy of it.
Christianity is the only spiritual path, where the offer and the burden for accomplishing salvation, rests solely with God, and man can do nothing on his own to deserve or to accomplish his salvation.
Religion is described as man-made philosophy, and we know that man, in his sins, cannot save himself, as his sins still separate him from God the Father. No sin can enter heaven, but there's hope, in Jesus, because He is the only God that has access to His (and our) Heavenly Father... to plead our sinful condition, on our behalf, before a Holy God. He is our only Mediator between God and man. Other paths simply cannot fulfill our need to have our sins erased, and yes, forgotten, so we may enter His Heavenly home, cleansed and justified by the blood of Jesus. Jesus purchased us with His blood, and paid our sin-debt, so we could have eternal life in heaven. There's no other gift so sweet and precious. He gave His all. I cannot give Him less.
