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Several years ago I picked up a small article entitled, "The Essential Difference." I'm sorry to say that I do not know who wrote the article. If you know who the author was, please let me know, and I will be happy to give him credit for the material. I have used it as an illustration in many of my messages. It contains a truth that should be proclaimed everywhere. This little article is quoted as follows:
"The late Dr. Harry Rimmer, while traveling in Egypt, was negotiating with the then Secretary of State who was a refined and cultured Egyptian. In a conversation regarding their respective faiths, Dr. Rimmer stated that:'We believe that God has given man three revelations of Himself. First, we believe that He has revealed Himself in the work of creation.'
'We, too, believe that,' interjected the Egyptian.
'We believe that God has revealed Himself in a book, the Bible,' continued Dr. Rimmer.
'We, too, believe that God has revealed Himself in a book, the Koran,' replied the Egyptian.
'We believe that God has revealed Himself in a man, and that man is Jesus Christ,' added Dr. Rimmer.
'We also believe that God has revealed Himself in a man, and that man is the prophet Mohammed,' said the Egyptian.
'We believe that Jesus died to save His followers,' said Dr. Rimmer.
'We believe that Mohammed died for his people,' replied the Egyptian.
'We believe,' continued Dr. Rimmer, 'that Jesus is able to substantiate His claims because He rose from the dead.'
The Moslem hesitated, then his eyes fell. He had no answer to that statement. Finally, he admitted, 'We have no information concerning our prophet after death.'Dr. Rimmer was right; he was convinced of the truth of his assertion, because it was founded upon the word of God that has withstood all attacks for almost 2,000 years; and there are hundreds of thousands today who would agree with him.
The fact of the resurrection is a proven fact of history. The great Apostle Paul states,
1 Corinthians 15:3-4 'For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:..' (Read the whole chapter, and learn more of what Paul taught about the resurrection.)
The author of the article goes on to quote from a familiar hymn written by A. H. Ackley,
"I serve a risen Saviour, he's in the world today,
I know that his living, whatever, men may say;
I see His hand of mercy; I hear His voice of cheer,
And just the time I need Him, he's always near."Truly, the "Essential Difference" between Christianity and the other great world religions is the undeniable truth of the resurrection of Jesus Christ the Lord. Some of the greatest minds in history attest the resurrection. George Washington, Daniel Webster, Paul, Thomas Aquinas, Benjamin Franklin, Queen Elisabeth, Andrew Jackson, Thomas Jefferson, and Ronald Reagan are just a few of the names of those who believed the word of God which contains the truth of the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Infidels have tried to crush and stamp out the truths of Christianity and the Bible for thousands of years and have failed. There is an old story told about a blacksmith's hammer and anvil that illustrates these truths. Someone was visiting a blacksmith who had been practicing his trade for over 50 years. As the visitor looked around at the old shop, he saw several old hammers that appeared to be worn out, but saw only one anvil. He asked the old blacksmith, "I see several old worn out hammers but only one anvil. How many anvils have you had over the years?" The old blacksmith smiled and replied, "Just one. The anvil wears out the hammers, you see." It is the same with the word of God. No matter how many atheists, infidels, and unbelievers attack the word of God, it still stands. The hammers of unbelievers will never wear out or destroy God's precious word.
It is in the word of God that we find the truths of the resurrection of Jesus Christ vividly proclaimed:
1 Corinthians 15:19-20 If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable. But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept.
Luke 24:6 He is not here, but is risen: remember how he spake unto you when he was yet in Galilee,
Luke 24:34 Saying, The Lord is risen indeed, and hath appeared to Simon.
Ephesians 1:20 Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places,
The resurrection of Jesus Christ is the most attested to fact found in the word of God. It is mentioned 24 times in the book of Acts alone, not to mention the dozens of times in the rest of the New Testament.
Yet, in spite of the infallible proof of the resurrection, there are still countless numbers of people who will not believe in the scriptures or the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Why? I believe that there are several reasons:
- Because of the hardness of their hearts. Some people are just not going to believe because they have hardened their heart to the Gospel and the word of God.
Mark 16:14 Afterward he appeared unto the eleven as they sat at meat, and upbraided them with their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they believed not them which had seen him after he was risen.
- Some people will not believe because to do so would cause them to have to change their lifestyle, and they don't want to leave their sinful ways.
John 3:19 And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.
- Some people do not believe because they have not yet heard. That is why this tract was written. If you have not honestly considered the resurrection of Jesus Christ then today could be the most life-changing day in your existence
The reason that Christianity is different is because of the resurrection of Jesus Christ. How do I know that He is Who He said He was? The resurrection. How do I know that there is an heaven to be gained and an hell to be shunned? The resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ. How do I know that He is God the Son? His Resurrection! .
How do I know that mankind needs to be saved, that mankind needs to be born again? Because of the resurrection. It is essential that you believe in the resurrection of Jesus Christ the LORD, and that He is "God manifest in the flesh," Jesus said "you must be born again." Trust Jesus today before it is too late.
Romans 10:13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.
This tract, written by Dr. Robert E. Bliss, may be downloaded in PDF format essential-difference.pdf
