The Nature of True Religion, Pt. 1 – Galatians 6:14

There are approximately 4200 religions in the world; about 300 of them in the United States. Many would say that Christianity is just one of the many religions in the world and in the US. We know that Christianity is the only true religion; all others are false.

At the heart of every false religion is a false idea about the self. Until one truly knows himself and his sin nature, he will never seek a savior. Instead, false religion deceives people about his self so that they will boast in his works, put confidence in the flesh, and work to earn salvation. It is only when people’s hearts are regenerated by the Holy Spirit that they are able to understand their selves in the light of the truth of God’s Word.

Here in Paul’s letter to the Galatians, Apostle Paul adamantly rejects the possibility of putting confidence in the flesh (But may it never be…v.14). Believers in the church of Galatia were falling away from the Christian faith and reverting back to Judaism, following a damning religion of salvation by works, namely, circumcision. As we turn to the concluding verses of Galatians in the coming weeks, we will focus on the nature of true religion– the message and the power of Christianity.

The message of Christianity is unique. Every other religion – even monotheistic religions like Mormonism, Jehovah’s Witness, and Islam – has been invented by men. This is evident in that they make man work for salvation. This is an impossible task, because sinful man cannot please a perfect and holy God. Christianity is the only religion that shows the innate inability towards holiness and answers to man’s ultimate plea- How then can a man be just with God? (Job 25:4) How can man make peace with God? How can this chasm between God and man be bridged? By the Holy Spirit, Apostle Paul answers this question in verse 14- …except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ. Only the cross can make peace between God and man.

What happened on the cross? When Jesus was crucified on the cross, God displayed His strong public condemnation against sin by displaying the judgment that every sinner must face. His perfect holiness was demonstrated in His contempt against sin in the suffering of Christ. At the same time, through Jesus’ crucifixion, God showed how He took away the sin, guilt, and shame of man, by imparting every one of our sins onto Jesus. The Son of God of was cursed, suffered in that curse, and rose again – all for our salvation.

Christians boast in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ. (v.14) Jesus died and was resurrected to be highly exalted as Lord over all. (Phil 2:8-11; Jn 20:27-28) He is our Savior and our God, who has all the power to not only save us from our fate of hell, but to transform us into his likeness. We are saved by Christ alone, for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men by which we must be saved. (Acts 4:11-12) He is the Messiah, anointed to die for sinners. Even though He was God, He came to serve, surrender, and die for us. The cross of Christ is foolishness to depraved men- it eliminates all human merit, leaving no room for man’s pride or wisdom. (1Cor 1:18-19) The cross of Christ is true religion; it is God’s salvation.

Christianity is a new beginning. The old life has passed away; new life begins in Christ. Because of Jesus died a substitutionary death in our place, we are able to live a life with the freedom to choose holiness instead of sin; the new life allows for an intimate relationship with God. (Matt 27:50-51; Heb 10:19-20). It is the beginning of our spiritual resurrection; it instills the certain hope of a physical resurrection. (1Cor 15:54-57; Matt 27:54) God fully revealed His plan for our redemption in Christ Jesus.

Christianity is true because its message comes from God Himself. (Heb 1:1-3) He calls us to repent and return, forsaking our sin to turn to Jesus Christ in faith for salvation from Him alone. (Is 1:18; Acts 3:19) We must come to a point where we ask with all our heart, what must I do to be saved? Nothing you can do can erase your sin. It is only by the cross of Christ man can be restored to God.

God forbid that we should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ. We must treasure Jesus more than anything or anyone in this world. He is truly worthy of our praise. As we grow in our understanding of the sufficiency of the cross as the source of our atonement, may we grow to be bolder in our obedience to Jesus’ call for us to make disciples.