What is Christianity REALLY?

Have you ever really been taught the Gospel? The name Christianity is claimed by many teachings, but Christ claimed himself to be "the Truth", not "the Truths." There is only one Lord, one Faith... one pure teaching. So what is it? 

Well, how about we first ask, what is it not?

Jesus did not promise you:

• Your best life now.
• A life of prosperity.
• An ability to 'choose Jesus to come into your heart.'
• Self-help steps to a better you.
• Salvation by works.
• A personal relationship with God, your BFF.

Instead, Jesus promises you forgiveness, life, and salvation through His merits on a blood-stained cross outside Jerusalem nearly 2000 years ago. St. Paul says "we preach Christ crucified" specifically because of the historical truth that "all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely as a gift by the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God put forth as a propitiation by his blood" (Romans 3:23). Many people seem to understand and rejoice in that - thanks be to God!

But, what many forget is that this Jesus of the cross also in history made promises to us of how He would continue to care for us: "I will not leave you as orphans," he said (John 14). Instead, the same Jesus who won for us victory on the cross, rose from the dead and ascended into heaven now delivers His victory to His people in His Holy Word purely preached and His Sacraments rightly administered. Through these gifts of Word, Baptism, Absolution, the Lord's Supper, Jesus gives us Himself - even his very body and blood! - that we might take heart in our certain salvation won upon the cross, repent of our sins and receive his free forgiveness, and live life in faith toward God and in fervent love toward one another. This is Christianity!