The Greatness of the Christian Faith
Of all the religious movements that have influenced and affected the lives of men, there has not been one since the beginning of time that has had a greater influence than the religion of Jesus Christ. Its effect has been universal and is still exercising great power over men and women today. Prophets of old spoke in high praise for this way of life that was introduced by the Son of God. In speaking of the greatness of this way of life, the prophet Isaiah stated that it would surpass all others. “And it shall come to pass in the last days, that the mountain of the Lord’s house shall be established in the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and all nations shall flow unto it. And many people shall go and say, Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem” (Isaiah 2:2-3). Another of God’s great prophets is the prophet Daniel. When Daniel was called upon to interpret the dream of Nebuchadnezzar, he explained that there would be kings representing four different kingdoms. The fourth period was represented by a multiple number of kings who were from the Roman Empire. It was during the times of these kings that God would establish the way of Christianity. “And in the days of these kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed: and the kingdom shall not be left to other people, but it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand forever” (Daniel 2:44). Daniel made it clear that the kingdom he was speaking about was a kingdom that would not be destroyed. Its influence could not be overpowered by anyone but would remain forever. In this lesson, we want to look at some of the things that make this way of life so great.
The greatness of the Christian faith is made clear to us when we consider the sacrifices that were necessary to make it possible and also the sacrifices that are constantly being made to contribute to its spread. It would be hard for us to imagine a greater sacrifice than the price God paid in order to bring it into existence. Take time to consider the price paid for our redemption. “For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die. But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:6-8). The price God paid for us is shown in the verse that we have come to know as the Golden Text of the Bible. “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved” (John 3:16-17). Jesus also cooperated with the divine plan in that he willingly gave his life for us. “Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again. No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father” (John 10:17-18). Jesus did not rebel at paying the price for our redemption. He made a willing sacrifice. No cause of man deserves this kind of sacrifice. Christianity does prompt such conduct. Sacrifice of a lesser degree was made by the apostles and the faithful brethren of the first century. When we consider the life of Paul, we are impressed with the price he was willing to pay for us. In writing to the church at Corinth Paul reminds them that he made great sacrifice to keep the Christian faith growing.
Are they ministers of Christ? (I speak as a fool) I am more; in labours more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequent, in deaths oft. Of the Jews five times received I forty stripes save one. Thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day I have been in the deep; In journeyings often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils by mine own countrymen, in perils by the heathen, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren; In weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness. Beside those things that are without, that which cometh upon me daily, the care of all the churches. (2 Corinthians 11:23-28)
It is hard for men to imagine such great sacrifices for a cause, however men who have found the truth of the Gospel have through the years been willing to make such sacrifices for this great cause. Another evidence that Christianity is from God is seen when we consider the beginning and the growth of the Christian faith. As predicted by the prophet Isaiah, the beginning of the kingdom was in Jerusalem. Jews from every nation assembled and listened to the teaching of the Gospel. The message of salvation was plainly and boldly proclaimed, and it received a receptive ear. When convinced that they had killed the Son of God, the people wanted to know what they could do about this terrible sin. The response given by God through the apostles was that they needed to repent and be baptized for the remission of sins. “Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost” (Acts 2:38). About three thousand souls obeyed the Gospel that day and became the beginning group from which the Gospel was spread in Jerusalem and then to other cities (Acts 2:41). In a short time, five thousand men were counted among the believers (Acts 4:4). Acts 6:7 tells of the number of disciples multiplying. The growth was so dramatic that some of the Jews began to plot ways to stop this great movement. As the Jewish council was in the midst of this discussion, there was a man named Gamaliel who offered some advice to them. He told of a man named Theudas who was part of a movement that gathered disciples but with his death, the movement came to an end. Then another man named Judas also was able to get others to follow him. Again, when he died his work came to naught. These facts caused Gamaliel to give this advice. “And now I say unto you, Refrain from these men, and let them alone: for if this counsel or this work be of men, it will come to naught: But if it be of God, ye cannot overthrow it; lest haply ye be found even to fight against God” (Acts 5:38-39). The works of men fail but all of the efforts of men to stop God have always failed. The fact that Christianity still survives in spite of the bitter opposition of men is evidence that it came from God. More than two thousand years have passed and Christianity not only is still in existence but it still abounds. The Gospel spread was greatly increased by the persecution that was intended to bring it to an end. “Therefore they that were scattered abroad went every where preaching the word” (Acts 8:4). The missionary journeys of the apostle Paul and the work of the church at Antioch caused the truth of the Gospel to be taken into many new areas. Paul stated that the Gospel had been taken to all the world (Colossians 1:23). This kind of work is still being conducted throughout the world. This great movement began according to prophecy and after more than two thousand years is still found alive and well in all the world.
Another evidence of the greatness of Christianity and the proof that it came from God is in the way the church has dealt with and survived the terrible attacks that have been continually thrown against it. Many times the efforts of men have been to use persecution to stop the diligent work of the followers of Christianity. Men such as Stephen and Antipas have died and others have lived in fear of their lives but have continued to live for this great cause. We are urged to “Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life” (Revelation 2:10). With great courage, martyrs have willingly stood up for this cause. Some of the opposition that we could expect comes from the forces of infidelity and atheism. There have always been those who deny that God exists. This is not because they have tried the evidence and found that it comes up short. The evidence is abundant in the creation. “The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament showeth his handiwork” (Psalm 19:1). We must conclude with David that the fool has said, “there is no God” (Psalm14:1). While we may not know the motives of many who deny God, it is clear that some have taken this position in order to sooth their consciences. They want to do wrong, and they do not want the knowledge of God to hamper their pursuit of evil things. “And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient” (Romans 1:28). The atheist must close his eyes to the abundance of evidence of the existence of God. To argue that the universe and its uniformity is just a matter of chance is like arguing that the New York phone book is a product of an explosion in a print shop. It just couldn’t happen!
While we would expect opposition by those who say there is no God, it is also surprisingly true that Christianity through the years has had much opposition from those who claim to be its friends. Jesus fervently prayed for his disciples to be one. “Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word; that they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me” (John 17:20, 21). The world in general today views religious division as a good thing while Jesus declares that it contributes to making unbelievers. It is not uncommon today to see many of the various religious denominations unite in opposing anyone who will stand for the teachings of Christ. They have become proponents of the theory that says everyone and everything is right in religious activity. A few years ago, religious people had conviction that they based on the teachings of the Bible and thus tried to defend their positions by an appeal to the Word of God. This, now, does not seem to be the case. If everything is right and pleases God, why bother to try to prove the rightness of our practices by the Bible? We hear very little about earnestly contending for the faith. Instead of working for unity, the effort seems to be to defend the terribly divided state of religion. Has this united effort to oppose anyone who stands for truth been successful? The answer is no. Truth still does not fear investigation, and there are still those who courageously keep the faith (2 Timothy 4:6-8). This way of religious activity has stood strong against the attacks of the enemies of Christ and even of many who claim to be its friends. The battle has been strong but truth will always prevail. God promised us the victory. “What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us? Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us” (Romans 8:31, 37). While there are many things in the Book of Revelation that may be difficult to understand, we cannot miss the point that is made throughout the book. The forces of God are victors. Satan cannot prevail. Is not the survival of Christianity even in spite of vigorous opposition over many years an evidence of the greatness of the Christian faith? The church is a kingdom that will never fail (Daniel 2:44). It cannot be shaken! “Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear” (Hebrews 12:28).
The greatness of the Christian faith is made clear when we consider the great principles of life that have had great impact on the lives of men and the nations of men. It is true that many philosophies have been advanced by men, but none has had the impact on men that Christianity has had. It has not just been a rehearsal and the reworking of the ideas of men who have gone before, but is a new and better way of life.
Christ taught and exemplified the high principle that teaches us to return good for evil. It is not hard to return evil for evil nor is it hard to return good for good, but to return good when we have been treated badly is a higher principle of life than the world had ever known. Jesus demonstrated how this way of life should be followed at the time of his trial. “For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps: Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth: Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously” (1 Petet 2:21-23). Even though he was falsely accused, Jesus did not respond with evil accusations. He opened not his mouth. Paul dealt with this manner of life in the great Book of Romans. “Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men. If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men. Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord. Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head. Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good” (Romans 12:17-21). Living in peace with our fellowman becomes possible when men will follow this great lesson of the Christian religion. Jesus taught us to treat others in the manner we would want to be treated. “Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets” (Matthew 7:12). If this idea were applied in the dealings of nations, look what a turn around would occur. Apply it in matters of government in our own nation. What difference would take place if it were applied in everyday dealings with other people? How would marriages be helped by this way of conduct? God gave to us the highest way of life. No man or group of men has ever even come close to advancing such high principles.
The Christian faith teaches us to practice forgiveness in a way that is unheard of in the world. Many of us will admit that one of the hardest things we are called upon to do is to forgive those who sin against us. While hanging on the cross without cause, Jesus said, “Father forgiven them for they know not what they do.” How could he express his forgiveness in such a forceful way? When the apostle Peter asked if he must forgive seven times, this very familiar statement was made. “Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven” (Matthew 18:22). While in our eyes seven times seems to be a reasonable amount of times, the Lord expanded it to include a limitless amount of times. What other way of life would require such patience with our fellowman?
The great principle of humble submission to the will of God is part of the Christian Faith. Jesus again becomes the perfect example for us. Submission to the will of God required that Jesus give his life. He willingly obeyed. “Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again. No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father” (John 10:17-18). The writer of the Hebrew letter discusses this time in the life of Christ in this way. “Who in the days of his flesh, when he had offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears unto him that was able to save him from death, and was heard in that he feared; Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered; And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him” (Hebrews 5:7-9). Our obedience to God is prompted by our love for him. “If ye love me, keep my commandments” (John 14:15). Abraham obeyed God without even knowing the details of his obedience. “By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went” (Hebrews 11:8).
The greatness of the Christian faith is a very compelling argument for the rightness of it. Its existence and survival is evidence that there is a God. No way of life has had such impact on the lives of men and has influenced the decisions of nations as the Christian way of life. If it were not of God it would have ceased to exist a long time ago. It will continue to exercise this great influence for all time because it is from God.
Frank Higginbotham
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