God counted Abraham as righteous because he believed what God said. Paul said that God has always dealt with mankind upon this very basis.

Romans 4:5
5 But to him who does not work but believes on Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is accounted for righteousness, (NKJ)

Much of the hatred we see in our world today is caused by the different religions of the world. Many times Muslims in Muslim communities simply follow the customs taught by their Muslim leaders. Many Hindus just follow the teachings of their Hindu leaders. Many Christians base their lives on the doctrines of Christian traditions. On judgment day, God will not judge people on the basis of their compliance with their religious culture. He will judge on the basis of their faithfulness to what God has said.

That is why the Apostle Paul told Timothy,

II Timothy 2:15
15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. (KJV)

It is obvious that God has dealt with different people in different ways through the centuries, and our task is to find out what God expects from us? To accomplish this task we must rightly divide the word of truth.

In the Old Testament, God gave the nation of Israel a kingdom which brought great physical blessings to its citizens. To live in that kingdom, the Jews were required to live according to the Mosaic Law of the Old Covenant.

During the period of time covered by the book of Acts, God offered the New Covenant Kingdom to the nation of Israel. According to the words of the Lord Jesus at the Last Supper, His shed blood was the basis for the New Covenant.

Matthew 26:28
28 "For this is My blood of the new covenant, which is shed for many for the remission of sins. (NKJ)

In accordance with this New Covenant ministry, Paul was sent to the Gentiles and revealed what it means to be saved by grace through faith in Christ apart from the Law. During that dispensation, Jewish believers continued practicing all of the Mosaic Law, and Jews and Gentiles alike experienced many miracles and practiced water baptism as a sign to unbelieving Jews.

One might ask why the Lord Jesus said that the blood of the New Covenant was shed for many. Didn't Jesus die for the sins of all people? The fact is that the New Covenant does not apply to all believers. When Israel rejected Christ and the New Covenant Kingdom at the end of the Acts period, God set aside His offer of the New Covenant Kingdom and allowed the Apostle Paul to fully reveal the dispensation of the Church which is the Body of Christ. Ephesians, Philippians and Colossians are the primary doctrinal books which present the Church and the marching orders for the Church.

According to the dispensation of the Church which is the Body of Christ, the blood of the Lord Jesus was shed for the sins of the whole world. As a result, anyone who believes in Christ is automatically saved and given a position in the Body of Christ. In Ephesians, Philippians and Colossians, we find that the Church which is the Body of Christ has no hope of an earthly kingdom, and we have no physical ceremonies or rituals to bind us to the earth. Paul said,

Colossians 2:20-22
20 Therefore, if you died with Christ from the basic principles of the world, why, as though living in the world, do you subject yourselves to regulations--
21 "Do not touch, do not taste, do not handle,"
22 which all concern things which perish with the using-- according to the commandments and doctrines of men? (NKJ)

Philippians 3:20
20 For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, (NKJ)

After the Church which is the Body of Christ is caught up to be with Christ at His appearing, God will offer the New Covenant Kingdom to Israel once again. At that time He will perform many miracles, wonders, and signs as he protects the nation of Israel from the wrath of the antichrist and prepares them to rule with Christ in an everlasting kingdom of righteousness.

Write me at: jimjoan77@juno.com

Other church links:
http://www.peacechurch-ok.org/
http://www.eleventhavenuechurch.com/
http://gracebiblechurch-fw.com/