The intrinsic weakness of the religion which opposes the Christian Faith worldwide is its inability to offer — much less guarantee — personal forgiveness and redemption. It is an effort based religion, one which requires its followers to please a demanding god by means of maximum effort. It is, quite literally, a Dead End religion.
Christians are not driven by fear from the rear but are led lovingly from the front. Jesus, the Good Shepherd, knows his sheep and calls them by name. He does not drive them: they follow his lead. Nor does he demand: he calls and they follow. He cares and they respond! (The Gospel of John, chapter 10.)
Effort based religion despises and dismisses the grace of God and the Cross of Jesus Christ. Self-effort and Grace are total opposites, and the Cross is an iconic sign, one that beckons weary, sin-sick sinners to God’s absolute assurance of spiritual rest in the finished work of Jesus, His beloved Son.
As an old hymn puts it: “At the Cross, at the Cross, where I first saw the light, and the burden of my heart rolled away; it was there by faith I received my sight, and now I am happy all the day!” Another begins with “Happy Day, Happy Day, since Jesus washed my sins away…” Yet another old hymn begins with “Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine: O what a foretaste of glory Divine!”
The certainty of God’s acceptance in this present life and reception into the next rids all doubt from the hearts and minds of all who trust in the Lord Jesus. It inspires them to share their faith with anxious family members and neighbours, and the increasingly troubled world at large.
Instead of an effort based, dead end religion, we serve the Lord with gladness and a message that has meaning. But that’s not all! The Lord Jesus Christ promised: “He who believes in me, though he were dead, [spiritually] yet shall he live; and whoever lives [as a Christian] and believes in me shall never perish but shall have everlasting life.” Jesus said that “He that has the Son has life [in present possession].”
The Christian Faith is not a Dead End religion of self-effort and uncertainty but one that brings assurance in this life and a Living End that guarantees those who believe entry into Heaven and the presence of Almighty God forever! Praise God!