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One of the most hated, if not THE most hated doctrine of Christianity, is the exclusivity of Jesus. This doctrine is the one that states Jesus is the only way to heaven. You cannot get to heaven by your own works, family relations, church attendance, other god, other religion, or any other method except to repent of your sins and believe in the resurrected Jesus by faith alone through grace alone.
I receive some arched eyebrows, heated responses, and hate mail for saying so, some from my own family. "Away with dogma!" my aunt grandly proclaimed, right before she blocked me. Same with other family members. But these responses are no worse than anybody else's experiences and a great deal less hurtful than what others have endured, I'm sure.
But whether the negative response about the exclusivity of Jesus is from a stranger, friend, or family member, the fact is the same, Jesus is the only way to heaven. He is the only God. He is the only source of life. He is the only truth. It is about Him and no other.
Would God the Father have sent His Son to die on a cross, the most horrific and excruciatingly humiliating method of torture and execution ever devised at that time, if there was any other way?
Did God care for Jesus so little that He sent His Son to live a perfect life, and die as the blood sacrifice required, and endure all the wrath for those sins, just so He could allow us to choose from other methods of gaining entrance to heaven just because we felt like it? Is this Let's Make A Deal, the old game show with contestants choosing from Door Number one, Door Number Two, or Door Number Three?
Does the Bible lie when it states over and over that there is only one way?
And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved. (Acts 4:12).
I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture. (John 10:9).
I know that people aren't insulted with the idea that Jesus is the only way because they care that there is only one way. There are lots of things that are only one way of achieving things, and people are fine with that. If you want to become a lawyer, you have to pass the bar. If you want to be a doctor you have to get a certificate. If you want to drive certain places, there is only one road to get there. We don't get choices for a lot of things.
People get upset because of the way that Jesus represents. This apoplectic, spittle flying, white of the eyes rolling fits people have over Jesus is because of what is involved with His way. It is spelled with three letters. S-I-N. People absolutely hate to be called sinners. They pillory those who say that they are not qualified for heaven. They attack the concept that we will be judged. They hate Jesus because they hate His way.
This is because satan has blinded their minds, and they are completely under his influence, and satan hates Jesus. (2 Corinthians 4:4). So those who are satan's also hate Jesus.
Why do I believe Jesus is the only way?
I believe Jesus is the only way because He said so.
Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me." (John 14:6)
So Jesus is either a liar, or He is telling the truth. I assure you, He is not lying.
Now after John was arrested, Jesus came into Galilee, proclaiming the gospel of God, and saying, "The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel." (Mark 1:14-15)
Believe.
I receive some arched eyebrows, heated responses, and hate mail for saying so, some from my own family. "Away with dogma!" my aunt grandly proclaimed, right before she blocked me. Same with other family members. But these responses are no worse than anybody else's experiences and a great deal less hurtful than what others have endured, I'm sure.
But whether the negative response about the exclusivity of Jesus is from a stranger, friend, or family member, the fact is the same, Jesus is the only way to heaven. He is the only God. He is the only source of life. He is the only truth. It is about Him and no other.
Would God the Father have sent His Son to die on a cross, the most horrific and excruciatingly humiliating method of torture and execution ever devised at that time, if there was any other way?
Did God care for Jesus so little that He sent His Son to live a perfect life, and die as the blood sacrifice required, and endure all the wrath for those sins, just so He could allow us to choose from other methods of gaining entrance to heaven just because we felt like it? Is this Let's Make A Deal, the old game show with contestants choosing from Door Number one, Door Number Two, or Door Number Three?
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| Source: letsmakeadeal.com |
Does the Bible lie when it states over and over that there is only one way?
And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved. (Acts 4:12).
I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture. (John 10:9).
I know that people aren't insulted with the idea that Jesus is the only way because they care that there is only one way. There are lots of things that are only one way of achieving things, and people are fine with that. If you want to become a lawyer, you have to pass the bar. If you want to be a doctor you have to get a certificate. If you want to drive certain places, there is only one road to get there. We don't get choices for a lot of things.
People get upset because of the way that Jesus represents. This apoplectic, spittle flying, white of the eyes rolling fits people have over Jesus is because of what is involved with His way. It is spelled with three letters. S-I-N. People absolutely hate to be called sinners. They pillory those who say that they are not qualified for heaven. They attack the concept that we will be judged. They hate Jesus because they hate His way.
This is because satan has blinded their minds, and they are completely under his influence, and satan hates Jesus. (2 Corinthians 4:4). So those who are satan's also hate Jesus.
Why do I believe Jesus is the only way?
I believe Jesus is the only way because He said so.
Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me." (John 14:6)
So Jesus is either a liar, or He is telling the truth. I assure you, He is not lying.
Now after John was arrested, Jesus came into Galilee, proclaiming the gospel of God, and saying, "The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel." (Mark 1:14-15)
Believe.
Amen. Jesus Christ is the only way because He said so. And the scripture also tells us that He rose again, conquering death, hell, and sin for His people. He is the perfect Mediator between an offended God and sinful man. He can represent God because He is God the Son, and He can represent man because He took on human flesh. Not only that, He ascended into heaven and is continuing His work as Advocate. He entered heaven with His own blood on our behalf. He prays for us before the throne of God. We have in heaven itself a defense attorney, the Lord Jesus Christ! Who or what else comes anywhere near all of this? Who could claim to be or do all of this? God Himself decides the protocol for our forgiveness, just as an offended human does. We reserve the right to tell a another how they can be forgiven and reconciled to us. How much more can God, the Creator of everything?
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