Billy Graham Answers: What Makes Jesus Different From Other Religious Leaders?
The Bible shows that Jesus Christ is different from every other religious leader in history, says famed evangelist the Rev. Billy Graham.
In a Q&A published by the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association on Tuesday, a person asked Graham what makes Jesus different from other spiritual figures.
"Why is Jesus any different from every other religious leader who ever lived?" the person asked. "I don't think it really matters what you believe about God, because I think all roads eventually lead to the same place anyway."
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Graham replied that if Jesus were indeed any other faith leader, then the soon-to-be 98-year-old preacher would agree with the person's conclusion about all routes eventually leading to the same destination.
"But Jesus wasn't just another religious leader or philosopher— and the reason, the Bible says, is because He was God in human form," wrote Graham.
"In other words, when Jesus was born, God Himself was taking on human flesh and becoming a man. Think of it: when Jesus walked on this Earth, God Himself was living among us!"
Graham went on to respond that Jesus proved his distinction via his deeds while on Earth as well as his resurrection from the dead.
"I urge you to look with an open mind and heart at Jesus Christ as He is found in the Gospels of the New Testament," continued Graham.
"When you do, you'll not only discover who He is, but that He loves you and wants to come live within you by His Holy Spirit. Don't let anything keep you from Him."
This is not the first time that Graham has gotten a question about the difference between Christianity and other religions.
In a Q&A published by BGEA in 2009, one individual asked Graham why "should I believe that Christianity is any truer than other religions?"
"I'm not sure any religion can claim to have the truth (and in fact, I'm not even sure God exists), but I'm open to changing my mind," they asserted.
Graham responded that God revealed Himself to mankind first through creation and then through becoming a man through Jesus Christ.
"That man was Jesus Christ, who was not only human but also divine (which is what we celebrate at Christmas)," wrote Graham in 2009.
"Do you want to know what God is like? Look at Jesus Christ as He is revealed in the pages of the Bible. When you do, you'll realize not only that God exists, but also that He loves you and will make you part of His family as you open your life to Christ."
Pastor Greg Laurie also addressed the belief that all roads lead to God during his Gospel message on God's grace and salvation through Jesus Christ at Harvest America in Dallas, Texas, in 2014.
"I believe all roads lead to God. I don't care if you're a believer, agnostic or an atheist. I believe whatever road you're on, you will get to God one day and you will stand before God one day. All roads lead to God. But only one road leads to Heaven, and that's the road through Jesus Christ."
Laurie, the senior pastor of Harvest Christian Fellowship in Riverside and Harvest Orange County in Irvine, California, revealed that while it might surprise some people, he believes all paths lead to God, whether one is agnostic, atheist, Christian, Jewish or Muslim. But he emphasized that while everyone will meet God, only those who accept Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior will enter Heaven.
"Your soul lives on in the afterlife. Everyone is going to die. You decide what you will do with this life, and you decide where you will spend the afterlife. I hate to break it to you," he said, "but there are only two choices: Heaven or Hell."
