“As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient … .” (Ephesians 2:1-2) “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith — and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God — not by works, so that no one can boast.” (Ephesians 2:8-9)
“God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.” (2 Corinthians 5:21)
Perhaps the most counterintuitive truth of the Gospel is that we do NOTHING to receive its benefits. Nearly all the “religions” of the world require payment or activity for the possibility of heavenly bliss. Earning is built into the psyche of humanity.
The attempt to gain acceptance before God was the first reaction of Adam and Eve in the garden of Eden following their disobedience to God. The first couple sewed fig leaves to cover their nakedness. Later, their children brought sacrifices of grain and livestock. The religions mentioned above in some form all attempt to appease some higher power who is separate from us, and who has given us no clear answer for sin or death. Sin, in its most basic form, asks the questions: What was my design? Why am I here? Why is life so broken and painful? Is this pain caused by my failure to live up to the standards of the gods or God? The specter of death brings his own questions to our souls: What will happen to me when I die? What can I do to ensure a good outcome following my inevitable passing? If there is a God, judgment or reckoning … what is my fate?
The clear Scriptures of Christianity provide a unique answer to the world. So unique, in fact, that one might say they are counterintuitive to the way our natural human psyche approaches religion. Paul points out that all humans start off their lives “dead.” Obviously, he is using metaphoric language, so the first question is, “dead to what?” The simple answer is found in a common cultural use of the word “dead.” In shame culture, whenever someone in a family would bring shame to that family by some sort of offensive behavior or besmirchment, the entire family might proclaim to the offender “You are dead to us. LEAVE IMMEDIATELY. We will not acknowledge you anymore.” This is done to preserve the honor of the family so that social standing can be maintained. When Paul says all humans start off dead, he simply means that we start off outside of the family of God. We are dead to God, unreconciled and completely out of touch.
The next disturbing fact God revealed through Paul is whose family we are alive to — the world and the ruler of the world, revealed as the “prince of the air.” This is an obvious reference to the fallen angel Satan, the snake of Eden, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. This means that ALL the world’s religions are deceptions under this being’s control. They all, in their various iterations, keep us unreconciled to God, unaware of the true nature of sin, and deceived about the truth of life after our physical death.
Now for the good news! God, the Creator of all things, stepped into human history personally to rescue us from the world and its deceptive and destructive ruler. From God’s perspective this transaction is the singular point of meaning for the entire scope of human history. The brilliance of the Gospel shines from the two verses above.
First, God made Jesus Christ to become sin for us, on our behalf, so that we humans, by simply having a trust relationship with Him, could have our sin record transferred onto Jesus. This single transaction enables us to be adopted into Father-God’s family, treated just like Jesus, and thus considered by God as eternally righteous. 2 Corinthians 5:21 is profoundly clear. Jesus is our substitute, and the provider of our righteous standing before an all-knowing and just Father.
Second, Ephesians 2:8-9 makes clear that NONE of this comes about by human effort. Salvation “is not of yourselves,” it is the gift of God. This gift is freely given by God to us. It is totally unearned. Our part is but to agree with Him, to trust, to believe. Then, to put a very Greek exclamation point on the subject, Paul concludes, “so that no one may boast.” Boasting is smoke from the fire of pride. Every human religion adds fuel to pride, because all are energized by human effort. The Bible makes it very clear that God hates pride (Proverbs 16:18, Proverbs 8:13 and James 4:6). This is why the Gospel is so profoundly counterintuitive to humans! We get THREE GREAT GIFTS that are completely undeserved, leaving us free from the fire of pride and the smoke of boasting. Gift 1) An unbreakable relationship with the Creator of the universe based on the perfect work of His Son Jesus. Gift 2) A true answer for our sin — the cure for our broken human condition. And Gift 3) The surety of eternity with Him, who proved Himself as Lord over death by His confirmable resurrection. 2 Corinthians 5:21 explains how in Christ the counterintuitive gift of Ephesians 2:8-9 is activated in our lives.
Judaism: Salvation is not the primary focus; emphasis on living a righteous life, following the Torah and striving for a better world.
Hinduism: Salvation (moksha) is achieved through liberation from the cycle of rebirth, often through practices like yoga, meditation and good karma.
Buddhism: Salvation (Nirvana) is achieved through enlightenment and the cessation of suffering, achieved through practices like meditation and mindfulness.
Sikhism: Salvation is achieved through devotion to God, good deeds and service to humanity, following the teachings of the Gurus.
Zoroastrianism: Salvation is achieved through the struggle against evil and following the teachings of the prophet Zoroaster.
Taoism: Salvation is achieved through living in harmony with the Tao, embracing yin and yang balance, and cultivating inner peace.
Confucianism: Salvation is not the primary focus; emphasis on social harmony, ethical conduct and fulfilling one’s role in society.
Islam: Entrance into Paradise is possible only to those who faithfully practice the five pillars of Islam or are martyred for the cause of Allah.
Why do the world’s religions all require their adherents to perform certain actions to attempt reconciliation with a higher power?
What makes the Gospel of Jesus so profoundly counterintuitive to the human mind?