It was very interesting researching some of the different religions in the world today.  According to what I have found, the religion that is identified as ‘Christian’ occupies 33% of the world.  However, these numbers include Catholics, Mormons, Seventh Day Adventists, Eastern Orthodox, and Jehovah’s Witnesses…some of which, many of the Christian religion do not recognize as being truly Christian.

The Muslims claim 21% of the population as its adherents.  This includes the Shiites, Sunnis, and others.  Some of these ‘sects’ are constantly at war with each and do not recognize each other as truly Muslim.  Some of the other religions are Hinduism (14%) and Buddhism (6%).  Amazingly, Judaism accounts for only .22% of the world’s population.

As the enquirer states, Christianity and Muslims are the two major religions in the world today.  I don’t know if anyone can speak authoritatively as to why these two are the largest in the world.  I rejoice to know that the Lord is faithful in continuing to save precious souls who look to Him for salvation.  Because of that, the Christian testimony continues in the world.  Realizing there are so many religions, too many to even try to mention here, we are brought to consider this question:  Are there any absolutes?  Does it matter what you believe in or what religion you practice as long as you are content and sincere?  Christianity and Islam are diametrically opposed to one another.  Can they both be true?

I think it is evident that they cannot both be true.  Most of the world today encourages us to tolerate all religions, but I don’t believe the Lord is very tolerant.  The Lord said in Isaiah 42:8, “I am the LORD: that is my name: and my glory will I not give to another, neither my praise to graven images.”  The Lord declares that He is Jehovah and He will not allow anyone else to share in His glory.  Neither will He tolerate His praise going to any graven image.

Although there are many religions, of which Christianity and Islam are the largest, there is only one truth, and that is Christ, Himself.  We read in John 14:6, “Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.”  Pretty emphatic, isn’t He?  Either the Lord Jesus was telling the truth, or He was lying.  Since He is the holy, spotless Son of God, I believe what He says is true.

Of all the statistics quoted above, there is one I left out.  Those who consider themselves to be of no religion make up 16% of our population.  These are people who acknowledge they do not believe in any religion of any sort.  We would consider them to be atheists or possibly agnostics.  Add to that all the ‘false’ religions today and the number of unbelievers grow.  Muslims are quick to acknowledge that they do not believe in Christ as the Son of God.  The number of unbelievers grows even larger.

There is one more category I’d like to address before closing.  This category, to me, is the most frightening.  Many who claim to be Christians are not truly saved.  Many think that just because they attend church services, they are saved.  Many believe that by doing good works, they are saved.  Many believe that by tithing each week, they are saved.  Many believe that because they were baptized, they are saved.  Many believe that because they were brought up in a Christian home, they are saved.  Do you know what it means to be saved?  Are you sure that you are going to Heaven?  Let’s consider the words of Ephesians 2:8-9, “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.”  This is how we become saved.  When we put our faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, He extends His grace to us and saves.  Salvation is not ‘of yourselves’ or ‘of works’.  No, salvation is the free gift of God that He gives to us when we believe in the Lord Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior.  Have you put your faith in Him for your salvation?   (203.10)