“But now the righteousness of God apart from the law is revealed, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets, even the righteousness of God, through faith in Jesus Christ, to all and on all who believe. For there is no difference; for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:21-23).
There are several major religions in the world—Atheism, Buddhism, Hinduism, Islam, Judaism, and others. Each has its own peculiarities. When set beside New Testament Christianity, none compares (not even Judaism which came from the one true God).
In the last post, two of the significant, distinctive truths about the gospel–Its Rationale and Its Origin–were considered. Here are two more:
Its witnesses are unique. Christianity is the fulfillment of the Law and the Prophets. The many types and shadows found in Genesis to Malachi are fulfilled in Matthew to Revelation. The Old Testament’s many predictive prophecies of Christ, His gospel, and His kingdom (i.e., the church) are fulfilled in the New Testament. Jeremiah’s specific pronouncement of God making a new covenant to replace the covenant made with Israel after its exodus from Egypt was fulfilled in the testament Jesus inaugurated after His “exodus” (cf. Luke 9:31). No religion in the world has such unique and distinctive written witnesses.
Its impartiality is incomparable. The gospel has no caste system. Though men and women have different and essential roles to fulfill in God’s plan for the home and the church, neither is superior to other in blessedness. Though the Jews and Gentiles had different spiritual backgrounds prior to the cross, neither is superior to the other in Christ. Every child born again into God’s family has the status and blessedness of a firstborn son (Hebrews 12:23). Every heir of God is a co-heir with Christ (Romans 8:17). Just as His judgment of sinners is impartial—because God is no respecter of persons (Romans 2:1-11)–His offer of righteousness is impartial. There is no difference: by sin all are condemned; all who respond in obedient faith to the gospel are justified.
Superior in its rationale. Superior in its origin. Superior in its witnesses. Superior in its impartiality.
The superior good news of spiritual victory in Christ is for all.
