Christianity is different from other religions because it is based on Christ’s grace (unmerited favor), not our own efforts. All other religions base their doctrine on man-made works alone or God plus works/rituals that they hope will bring about some sort of salvation and favor. They have all sorts of trappings trying to gain God’s approval, which is futile. The world is filled with apostate religions that do not recognize and understand that it is through Christ and Christ alone that we are saved. Many religions worship a god of their own making, not the true biblical Jesus and also center their teachings of what they can do to get the attention of their god(s).
The Christian life is not about what we can do but Christ living in us. Christ gives us His grace to accomplish His work through us. When we yield ourselves to Christ we will do good works as a result of what Christ’s redemptive work has done within us. The entire Christian life is not about what “I” can do but Christ in us. When we are weak He is strong. Some confused Christians try to frustrate the grace of God and tag on all types of rituals and rules to try to earn their way into heaven, forgetting that it is through Christ and Christ alone that we are made worthy to enter the eternal gates of heaven.
“For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them” (Ephesians 2:8-9).
Notice the verse above states that we are Christ’s workmanship created in Christ Jesus for good works. It is through the Holy Spirit living within us that good works naturally flow out as a manifestation of the Holy Spirit within us, not by our own merit.
“And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong (2 Corinthians 12:9-10).
Rejoice knowing that the Creator of the heavens and earth has reached down to us from heaven extending His righteousness to us. All other religions are trying to reach up to heaven, to a god of their own perception trying to earn their way into heaven. They completely miss the point of Christ’s atoning blood sacrifice on the cross. Only the blood sacrifice of Jesus can wash us clean from our past, present and future sins; this is done by confessing our sins and repenting, thus receiving Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior and being born-again by His Spirit.
“That if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation” (Romans 10:9-10).