Shelton Seward

You could express their need for a SAVIOR. One problem with Buddhism and Vedanta, in the face of Jesus Christ, is the notion that man can save himself by certain chosen methods. There is not a hint of any inability whatsoever to save one’s self. There is no mention of a Divine Savior or even of a human one (of which, in reality, there is none). Quite the contrary.

Even Buddha is not represented to be a savior, and it is not on record that he ever claimed to be a savior. He simply presumes to show the way to Nirvana, to enlightenment, to a oneness with all of creation and beyond. It is declared that if we but pursue, in our own strength and understanding and will, one or more Disciplines, we will come to freedom from suffering; we will conquer ourselves and discover our “true selves.”

The Bible teaches that no man is good, that we are in a helpless, fallen state, the carnal mind is not subject to the Law of God, neither is not able of it's own (Romans 8:6), that Jesus Christ died on the cross for our redemption, being the perfect sacrifice for our sins, and was raised from the dead, to live forevermore, and that He is our only hope. We are given the gift of faith to repent and turn to God through Jesus Christ. Believing and obeying, we are saved, if we overcome unto the end by His grace and mercy, all glory to God. We can not establish our own righteousness by other means other than by the Faith of Jesus Christ.

Romans 3:10-12
As it is written: “There is none righteous, no, not one. There is none who understands; There is none who seeks after God. They have all turned aside; They have together become unprofitable;
There is none who does good, no, not one.”

Ecclesiastes 3:18
I said in my heart, “Concerning the condition of the sons of men, God tests them, that they may see that they themselves are like beasts.”

Romans 10:3-4
For being ignorant of the righteousness of God, and seeking to establish their OWN righteousness, they did not submit to the righteousness of God. For Christ is the end of Law for righteousness to everyone that believes.

The creation was subjected to futility and vanity; Gods purpose is to call and choose sons and daughters to deliver the creation that is in bondage of corruption. They can not "achieve true-selves" while in bondage. Only when they become Sons of God BY Christ Jesus, through Sufferings and trials, then they will know the Way, the Truth, and the Life (John 14:6)

Romans 8:20-21
For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it in hope; because the creation itself also will be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the CHILDREN of God.

Jesus Christ wasn't just a great man or an "enlightened" one. He is The Lord of Lords and King of Kings, the Savior. Christ example on earth is our example to live. The essence of Buddhism is the alleviation of suffering. Yet, in Christ we learn the very opposite.

Hebrews 5:8-9
though being a Son, He learned obedience from what He SUFFERED and having been perfected, He came to be the Author of eonian salvation to all the ones obeying Him

Matthew 16:25
For whoever may desire to save his life will lose it. But whoever may lose his life for My sake will find it.

1 Timothy 6:14-16
that you keep this commandment without spot, blameless until our Lord Jesus Christ's appearing, which He will manifest in His own time, He who is the blessed and ONLY Potentate, the KING of kings and LORD of lords, who alone has immortality, dwelling in unapproachable light, whom no man has seen or can see, to whom be honor and everlasting power. Amen.

All in All, they need a Savior, Jesus Christ is their Savior

Acts 4:12
and there is salvation in no other One, for neither is there any other name under Heaven having been given among men by which we must be saved.

May 04 2014 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report