Why is the Christian faith different?

The main difference between the Christian faith and other religions around the world is the concept of "grace". In the Christian faith, God's love and forgiveness comes to us free of charge. It is unconditional. We don't have to earn it by being a "good person" or doing "good works". God forgives us and loves us because of who He is, not because of who we are.

This gift of "grace" is hard to understand in a world where we believe that a price must be paid for all the things we do wrong. We cannot understand how God could love us when we have done things that we think no-one can forgive. But the beautiful and amazing thing is that the price has already been paid. God himself paid the price by giving up his own Son, Jesus, to die for us so that all our wrongs can be forgiven. All we have to do is ask for his forgiveness.

Philip Yancey reminds us that "the entire Bible shines a spotlight on deeply flawed individuals who have been transformed by the radical power of grace. Moses, a great leader to be sure, but one who had an anger problem and committed murder. David, who committed adultery and multiple murders. Peter, who betrayed Jesus..., not once but three times. Paul, a human rights abuser who tortured Christians. These are the giants of faith [all loved and forgiven by God], proving that no-one can conclude 'I'm beyond the reach of God's grace. God could never love someone like me'".