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NASB | John 3:16 ¶ "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life. |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | John 3:16 ¶ "For God so [greatly] loved and dearly prized the world, that He [even] gave His [One and] only begotten Son, so that whoever believes and trusts in Him [as Savior] shall not perish, but have eternal life. |
Bible Question: What is Christianity? |
Bible Answer: One answer: A "religion" based on Jesus Christ being the Son of God (A member of the Triune Godhead) who bore the sins of the world on a Cross, that all who believe in Jesus would be saved from everlasting death. The fundamental "problem" with religion, be it Christianity or any established basis of behavior, is that it's generally MAN's attempt to get to God based on MAN's efforts and capabilities. This is why I personally am not a supporter of "religion" per se. Man's righteousness is as filthy rags to God.(Isa 64:6) Which leads me to the Second answer: rather than a set of religious principles and traditions and programs made by man to get to God, Christianity is a 'relationship' - personal and intimate - between God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit and His precious child. In this relationship, man's efforts are not a factor because GOD bridged the gap and came to man to save him. (We call that bridge Jesus Christ!) Man only has to believe and receive - there is no program or procedure. Jesus Christ accomplished all that was needed on the Cross. (John 19:30) You see, there is liberty in the relationship with Jesus (John 8:36). A freedom to experience all that God has already provided for those who know Him closely (John 10:10). Religion, while it may intend to offer liberty, brings with it bondage and restrictions often imposed by man against man. I like to say, "Man gave us religion. God gave us Jesus Christ." I hope this helps. Abounding in His grace, XRing |