The fundamental difference between Christianity and other religious systems, lies in two key areas: how they address sin and how they approach the sinner. This distinction highlights the unique nature of Christ’s work and the foundational concept underlying all religions.
From a subjective/personal perspective, these differences concern sin and the individual sinner. Objectively, they focus on the forgiveness of sin and the acceptance of the sinner.
Other systems, even modern humanitarianism (if they even acknowledge sin), can only abstractly point to God for the forgiveness of sin. What remains an abstract concept in these systems becomes a concrete reality in Christ. He offers forgiveness directly because he embodies it.
Regarding the second concept, the sinner, other systems typically require individuals to first cease being a sinner and become penitent through some internal or external process before they are welcomed. They aim to make someone penitent before welcoming them to God. Christ, however, first welcomes the sinner to God, and in doing so, prompts their repentance.
In essence, other systems demand righteousness, while Christ imparts life. This is why Christ is often referred to as the “Physician” — healthy individuals don’t need a doctor, but the sick do. Christ came not to call the righteous, but sinners — not just to repentance, but to himself and to the Kingdom, which is where true repentance begins.
Paraphrased from The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah; Edersheim, Alfred; Oxford University Press; From the chapter The Call of Matthew.
