Who dunnit?

My life was changed. It was the best thing that ever happened to me, but unfortunately, I don't remember it too clearly. It was the day I asked Jesus to "come into my heart". I think I was about six, maybe younger. But since I was too young to have dug myself into any sinful hell-hole of sex, drugs, and rock-and-roll, and since I don't remember any radical, immediate, dynamic life transformation, my entire life's experience has been only of the blessing of God's love and wisdom guiding me through. I mean, that's the reason that I am the most blessed man on Earth. But you know what's kinda weird? I have nothing to compare it to.

He has guided me through good times and bad. And during the bad times, when I’ve turned from Him, I’ve got a glimpse of what my heart is like without Him and what my life would be without Him. But He’s always been there to call me back and receive me again and lead me on to grow in new ways. This process has been on going since that day when I was six or so, and that means that some parts are kinda hard to distinguish who dunnit. I mean, what parts are just the normal processes of growing up and developing character, and what parts are miraculous steps of spiritual growth?

Here’s where this is going: I see people of other religions who also seem to have developed character and integrity, and they live morally, and they say they are at peace in their souls. But how did they get there without Jesus? I thought Jesus was the only way to Life? Did I come to find purpose in life by my own power, as other have? Is it as some religious pluralists say, that Jesus is just one of many ways to “find god”?

To begin my thoughts, let me answer that last question. No. Jesus has brought Life to me (and countless others), so I know he’s true. And he said he was the only way. From there it’s a simple operation of logic. If X is true, and X is Y, then Y is true. Jesus is the only way to Life.

So here’s my theory: I’ve seen that often throughout history, the Enemy takes an element of truth and twists it. That helps us to think it’s True, but then it actually leads us away from God. The first example is, of course, in Genesis when Eve “saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was desirable to make one wise, she took from its fruit and ate.”

Here are some examples: (I guess I’m over-using colons today, so sue me!) I find strength when I follow the psalm that says, “be still and know that I am God.” For me, that means I go to a quiet place, get in a comfortable position, breathe deeply, and think. That sounds a lot like certain meditation or yoga exercises that Zen-Buddhists use. Also I find that a lot of growth happens when I read scripture and pray daily. Muslims do this too, in fact five times daily! Also, I try to follow the Law that Jesus reiterated saying, “love your neighbor as yourself”. And Hindus even follow this to the extreme belief that all life is sacred!

Now there are crucial differences I think (I fill my mind with thoughts of worship instead of “emptying my mind”, for example), but you can see the similarities. Insightful people of many religions have realized something about how the human heart and soul works and have utilized it to effect real change in their lives. So that leads me to the next question, is it an Eternal change? I don’t think so. As much as any religion can help an individual to change his behavior, gain control of himself, or give him a sense of purpose, it can’t change the condition of his soul. Not even Christianity. Only the merciful trade that Jesus offers us, of his righteousness for our sin, can make us worthy to stand before God.

These are my thoughts and conclusions for the day, and I’d like your perspective. But what I’d really love is your thoughts on my remaining questions. Where do we go from here? I’ve seen other religions answer people’s needs, but then how can I show those people their need for Jesus? People won’t find an answer their not lookin’ for! Just pray for them? Engage them in philosophical discussions? How has Jesus changed your life, and how have you changed your own life? How do you explain the difference?