What is the relevance of Christianity in today’s world of multi-religions and multi-ethnic cultures?

        Dear Reader,

        We recognize that the reason for multi religions is that every nation has its God or gods and its own beliefs.  In our sinful world that is to be expected.  While we are not to belittle other religions, Christians have their own agenda like all others.  Our agenda is, irrespective of all the other religions, to preach the good news of salvation to all mankind.  This does not mean that we are against other religions; it does mean, however, that we believe that God has given Christians a commission to all believers for the world.  This commission is found in Mat. 28:19, 20.  It reads: (Mat 28:19 KJV) Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: (Mat 28:20 KJV) Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

        God gave this commission to us through Jesus Christ.  This means that biblical Christians believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, the promised Messiah who is God incarnate, who came to save all mankind.  So regardless of what other religions may teach about their God or gods, we biblical Christians believe that while God seeks to save all mankind in their own environment, salvation is only through the merits of what Jesus has done for humanity.  As Luke aptly tells us in his Acts to the Apostles, speaking about Jesus Christ: (Acts 4:12 KJV) Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.

        God, regardless of how people conceive of him, came into this world as a man, the Man Christ, to save all men.  This is called the ‘incarnation.’ God becoming human in order to reach and save humans. While many other religions are not aware of this fact, it nevertheless does not alter its truth.  And while God is not holding their beliefs against them, he seeks for them to become aware of this truth, and make a positive decision to accept him.  Again, here is what God says in the Scriptures: (Ezek 33:11 KJV) Say unto them, As I live, saith the Lord GOD, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked; but that the wicked turn from his way and live: turn ye, turn ye from your evil ways; for why will ye die, O house of Israel?  

        While this message was given to the nation of Israel, it nevertheless was for all mankind; for here again is what God says: (Isa 45:22 KJV) Look unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth: for I am God, and there is none else.  These two verses out of many similar others tell us that God’s message of salvation is universal.  And biblical Christians have been chosen to give this message to all mankind.  This does not mean that other religions are bad, and that devotees of their own religions will be lost.  No.  In fact the Bible tells us that God will judge everyone by his conscience, by his knowledge of doing what is wrong  or right.  God’s Holy Spirit speaks to the minds of all mankind, and those who follow on to know Him will not be disappointed.

        Here again from the Bible: (Psa 46:10 KJV) Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.  And again: (Psa 47:8 KJV) God reigns over the heathen: God sits upon the throne of his holiness.  And finally, (Gal 3:8 KJV) And the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the heathen through faith, preached before the gospel unto Abraham, saying, In thee shall all nations be blessed.  So while Christians are to take the gospel to non Christians, God is in control and will work to convict non Christians through His own methods as well, along with the preaching of the gospel.  God always works in conjunction with human beings.

        So what is the relevancy of biblical Christianity?  Without Christianity there would be no one to tell the good news of what God did through Jesus for sinful humanity.  So God raised up the Christian Church through the apostles’ preaching; and all those who have accepted the gospel from the apostles and other disciples will in turn spread the good news to still others in far off places until the entire world is told.  Biblical Christianity is therefore very relevant.  May God give us the strength and determination to carry this good news of salvation to everyone, believers and non believers alike until Jesus returns to this earth for his people.  Indeed he says to us, “behold I come quickly, and my reward is with me to give every man accord to his works.”  Rev. 22:12.  God bless.

        Pastor Ron is a retired Adventist pastor. Reach him at ron.hende@gmail.com.