Christianity is different than other religions.
Give me a minute to explain.
The difference between the Christian worldview and all other religions or philosophies can be summarized by putting two, five-letter words next to each other:
works vs grace.
Salvation, the redemption only found in Jesus, finds us dependent upon a Transcendent source of grace, what theologians call “undeserved favor.” Daily religious activities don’t save. Doing good doesn’t save. Moralism doesn’t save. There is nothing I can do to save myself. In a study of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde in my university class, students discovered that the more trouble we get ourselves into, the more outside help we need. The problem is always the same:
our works are what Isaiah 64:6 calls “dirty rags.”
Ephesians two gives the solution, “By grace are you saved through faith. And this is not of your own doing.”
Thanks for spending this minute with me, Dr. Mark Eckel.
AFTERWORD
“Filthy rags” has been variously translated as “polluted garment” (ESV) and “We’re all sin-infected, sin-contaminated. Our best efforts are grease-stained rags” (The Message). The root word of the Hebrew for “garment” or “rags” comes from a word meaning “covering one’s treachery.” The idea is that the person is clothed not in what they view as goodness but as goodness masquerading as deceit. The Hebrew word “polluted” indicates a cloth stained with bodily impurity, in particular, a menstrual cloth which must be separated from the community outside the camp (i.e., Deut 23:9 – 25:19). The word picture leaves no possible misinterpretation: our human goodness is on par with human waste. Humans are in need of God’s grace.
Mark Eckel (MA English, ThM Old Testament, PhD Social Science Research) is Executive Director of the Center for Biblical Integration, Liberty University.
“Give Me a Minute” is an ongoing effort to simply, clearly, and quickly explain aspects of true Truth.
Gratitude, as always, to my longtime friend, videographer, and tech guru Josh for his continued service.