the basic message # E143
John 14:5-6
Thomas said to him, “Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way?’ Jesus answered, “I am the way, and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”
Do you believe the statement above? Do you truly believe that Jesus Christ is the only way to God? While the terrorist’s attacks have certainly provoked a national movement of bonding, are we going beyond God’s approval in the manner in which we are bonding? Let me get specific. In our well-meaning attempts to reach out to others, have we somehow compromised the basic tenets of our Christian beliefs? Let’s read a piece of the transcript of President Bush’s speech after the attacks on 9/11/01 and get a glimpse of what is happening in America:
“I also want to speak tonight directly to Muslims throughout the world. We respect your faith. It's practiced freely by many millions of Americans and by millions more in countries that America counts as friends. Its teachings are good and peaceful, and those who commit evil in the name of Allah blaspheme the name of Allah.”
I appreciate the President’s efforts to build bridges with those of other faiths, but in doing so, is he giving the impression that he and us somehow embrace other teachings? Let’s take a second look at his words, “Its teachings are good and peaceful……..”
Matthew 15:13-14
He replied, “Every plant that my heavenly Father has not planted will be pulled up by the roots. Leave them; they are blind guides. If a blind man leads a blind man, both will fall into a pit.”
As Christians, we’re called to love everyone. Perhaps our desire to love people sometimes causes us to compromise truths. The pulpit seldom preaches negatively about divorce since the divorce rate among Christians is higher than that of the secular society. Pastors frequently stay away from preaching about abortion since many Christians have had and will continue to have abortions. I suppose it should come as no secret that to foster “national healing” we feel compelled to acknowledge other religions as having “teachings (that) are good” in the words of our President.
Let’s cut to the chase here and ask the hard questions. Do we firmly and fervently believe that Jesus Christ, and Jesus Christ alone, is the path to Heaven? If the answer is an unswerving “YES!”, then the law of logic would demand than anyone not trusting Christ will not enter into Heaven. Hard question #2: Do we believe that eternity consists of only 2 places: Heaven and Hell. Again, the law of logic confirms that anyone who is not in Heaven must be………. Are these truths easy to accept? I personally struggle with the concept that anyone who holds to a religion other than Christianity is limited to an eternity in Hell. Many of you will be offended at my attitude, but I can only say, “read the scriptures”, and if you can find anything to prove my thoughts wrong, please send them quickly so I won’t be in error one minute longer than necessary.
There will be Christians who will write and tell me not to be judgmental. God alone holds the power of true judgment, not me. If you believe there are other paths to God other than Jesus Christ, why are you a Christian? In fact, if there are other paths to God beside Jesus, then is religion even needed?