One of the verses I included in yesterday's post is a source of much controversy.
Jesus said,
"I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me." ~ John 14:6
It is sometimes hard for us to believe God would be so restrictive and stringent about how one gets accepted into heaven. After all, there are a lot of good people in this world. You're telling me that if they believe in God and are good people, but don't happen to receive Jesus' death on the cross for themselves, they're not going to make it to heaven?
That is what the Bible says. This is a heated discussion these days. No one wants to be told there is only ONE way. No one wants to believe in ONE truth. This day and age wants there to be more than one "truth" and wants all roads to lead to God. In reality, this belief is a means for people to continue being their own god and in charge of their destinies. We each make the rules, we each say what is acceptable to God, we each determine what is "good enough" for Him, and we each say by what means we will be received by Him. By this we each put ourselves above God. Basically, this is what sin is all about.
If you're having a hard time accepting that there is only one way to God as written in the Bible, here are a few things to think about:
If God is God then it is He that makes the rules, not us.
I know that can sound harsh, but it is also at the crux of the issue. Even as a Christian I've spent a lot of time resisting God's ways (mainly because of fear which I'll write about at another time as it relates to how the fear of trusting Him breeds this kind of resistance.) Every one of those times have been me refusing to acknowledge God as God, His rights to BE God, and my proper relationship to Him as His child. He has the authority. I do not. Accepting this is critical to being in right relationship with Him. Think of a child and parent: if the child is rebellious, wanting to make up their own rules about how they live their life in relationship with the parent, it's not a good or right relationship. They don't understand where the authority lies and are refusing to submit to it. A right and good relationship isn't possible.
The truth is true whether I believe it or not.
My belief in something does not make it true. Likewise, my disbelief in something does not make it false. It is either true or false independent of my belief in it.
The truth, by its very nature, is exclusive.
For example, 2 + 2 = 4. There are countless millions of numbers that 2 + 2 does not equal. I can believe with all my heart, with utmost sincerity and with good intentions that 2 + 2 = 5, but come test day I'm going to get it marked wrong.
Well, if there's only one way to God, then shouldn't He spell it out for us?
He does.
"Of Him all the prophets bear witness that through His name everyone who believes in Him receives forgiveness of sins." ~ Acts 10:43
"Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who enter through it. For the gate is small and the way is narrow that leads to life, and there are few who find it." ~ Matthew 7:13-14
"and through Him everyone who believes is freed from all things, from which you could not be freed through the Law of Moses. ~Acts 13:39
"I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me." ~ John 14:6
"And there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men by which we must be saved." ~ Acts 4:12
I hope it's not hard for you to swallow that there is only one way to God. Jesus said in John 8:32 "and you will know the truth and the truth will make you free." Think about the peace that comes along with knowing the truth. No more wondering. No more guessing. No more taking your best stab and hoping you're right. When it comes to something this important, aren't you glad God spelled it out and didn't leave us to guess what is acceptable to Him, especially considering the consequences of getting it wrong. Submitting to God's truth as truth brings freedom from lies and their consequences. And brings a whole bushel of blessings.
These things are found through the narrow gate, the exclusive truth about Jesus:
Forgiveness of sins. (Acts 10:43)
Abundant life (John 10:10)
The truth (John 8:32)
Freedom (John 8:32)
Heaven (1 John 3:16)
God's love poured out on you (1 John 3:1)
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