So, what’s the big deal about Christianity? What accounts for its near-universal appeal?

According to Pew Research Center, Christians top the popularity list at 29% of the world’s population. 

Although it’s impossible to do the subject justice in a short essay, let’s briefly consider what an incredible treasure Christians possess.

As I wrote in my book, My Origin, My Destiny:

“God is recruiting volunteers now to join him as family members and partners in the loving fellowship of those taking part in a tremendously creative project, under unimaginably splendid leadership, on an inconceivably vast scale, with ever increasing cycles of fruitfulness and enjoyment,” as the late Christian philosopher Dallas Willard put it.

“Further, we don’t have to wait to die to commence this heavenly life, but upon being born again, we experience inner spiritual transformation that immediately revolutionizes our lives in the here and now.

“There is no charge and anyone may apply — not just religious or exceptionally good people. But before proceeding, consider this penetrating question posed by Willard: ‘One should seriously inquire if to live in a world permeated with God and the knowledge of God is something you truly desire.’

“If you do, God promises to create a whole new spiritual you, not only fashioning you into a greatly improved citizen of earth but also making you into a fully qualified citizen of heaven.”

Why all these other religions?

Someone has said that mankind is incurably religious. Archaeologists can determine whether a dig has unearthed humans or animals by looking for signs of worship.

We can’t seem to stop ourselves. 

So why, since its founding 2,000 years ago has Christianity gone from zero to top of the leader board?

To begin with, there are three basic questions to ask of any religion for it to qualify as an eternally beneficial belief system:

• Does it solve the problem of sin that alienates man from God? 
• Does it provide a means of safely approaching an all-powerful Holy God? 
• Does it open the gates of Heaven for entry upon one’s death? 

If all a religious system addresses is our brief sojourn on earth, without addressing eternity, what good is it?

Jesus said as much in Mark 8:36-37, “For what does it benefit a person to gain the whole world, and forfeit his soul? For what could a person give in exchange for his soul?”

True, authentic, biblical Christianity properly practiced, delivers the following benefits to the least of its adherents:

• Christianity provides a personal, permanent friendship with the Creator and Sustainer of the Universe.
  • Promise of eternal life and an everlasting place in Heaven

• Born again believers are spiritually sealed by the indwelling Holy Spirit assuring a position in God’s spiritual family tree.
  • The Spirit also gives ongoing spiritual guidance, illuminating the Scriptures

• In saving the believer, God creates a “new you” through a new spiritual birth.
  • New identity in Christ, new heart, new spirit

• True believers are accepted up-front, no probation, not after “qualifying” with personal “works.”
  • No cost or obligation to pay anything

• All are welcome, ESPECIALLY sinners, poor, broken, disenfranchised people.
  • A good illustration was the “thief on the cross,” demonstrating the incredible generosity of God.

• Christianity greatly improves the quality of your life in the here and now as well.
  • Provides security, meaning, significance in an uncertain world
  • Brings divine power and fellowship through bouts of pain, suffering, trials
  • Immediate membership in a global community where you welcome all over the world

• Christianity is based on verified historical events, locations, people.
  • Things that actually happened, not based on myths and fairy tales
  • Evidence based faith — survived 2,000 years plus of intense, entrenched opposition

How About You?

Christianity always starts at the “foot of the cross” with repentance and forgiveness of sins — but it doesn’t stop there, as you can see. It all requires a personal RSVP to God’s generous invitation.

Again, a quote from My Origin, My Destiny: “Do you want to be a truly fulfilled person? Here is authentic fulfilment: becoming the kind of person God created you to be — a person who is ‘fully alive,’ as Willard put it. C.S. Lewis wisely observed, ‘Aim at Heaven and you will get Earth ‘thrown in’: aim at Earth and you will get neither.’ Interested?”

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