One Way

One of the costs of following Christ is not being able to join in the feel-good consensus that claims, “All paths lead to God.” Believers don’t have the option of nodding in agreement when people say, “It doesn’t matter what you believe as long as you’re sincere in your beliefs.”

We don’t have the option because the Bible doesn’t offer it. Jesus Himself said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me” (John 14:6 NLT). And the apostle Paul wrote, “There is one God and one Mediator who can reconcile God and humanity—the man Christ Jesus. He gave his life to purchase freedom for everyone” (1 Timothy 2:5–6 NLT). These passages leave exactly no room for other spiritual claims or belief systems, no matter how prevalent the idea of religious inclusiveness becomes.

The teaching that Jesus Christ is the only way to God has never been popular. But it’s probably safe to say that it’s never been more controversial than it is today. If you want to get someone’s blood boiling, then quote Jesus’ words in John 14:6 or Paul’s words in 1 Timothy 2:5–6. The “Coexist” bumper sticker on the person’s car will spontaneously catch fire.

The idea that you would have the audacity to say that Jesus is the only way is, in effect, saying that other religions aren’t true. That’s the way the logic works itself out, and people don’t like it. It’s acceptable to say that Jesus is a way to God. But when you dare say that He is the only way, then you can be certain that you’ll get some pushback. You might even be accused of being narrow-minded or worse.

But here’s what it comes down to: As believers, we must say what the Bible says, whether it’s popular or not. We have no authority to edit the message of the Bible. We’re called simply to deliver it, without watering it down or sugarcoating the words to fit what the audience wants to hear.

To do otherwise would be like a doctor discovering a very serious problem with a patient’s health but then being unwilling to say what that problem is—because it might make that patient uncomfortable.

We must tell people the truth about their real spiritual condition, which happens to be sinful, and then seek to save them, which is to point them to Jesus Christ as the only solution. If this means we are falsely accused of exclusivity or some other social media no-no, then so be it. God’s truth is too important to be edited for content.

Reflection question: How can you help people get past their desire to be inclusive and understand that Jesus is the only way to God and eternal life? Discuss this with believers like you on Harvest Discipleship!

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