Christianity’s Most Offensive Claim:

For some, the claim that Jesus Christ is the only way to heaven is one of the most offensive claims of Christianity.  Just the mention of Jesus’ name can create quite a bit of controversy in some circles.  There truly is no other name like the name of Jesus.  There is no one like Him.  Jesus Christ claimed He was the exclusive way to God.  That claim is either true or it is false.  Was Jesus telling the truth or was He a liar or a lunatic?  Those really are the only options.

In a world that cries out for tolerance and inclusion, more and more people think that Jesus is just one of many ways to Heaven.  That’s what is popular.  That is the politically correct response.  It’s the most acceptable answer with the majority today.  But that answer is not biblical.

I recently heard about some research that indicated 57% of those attending Evangelical churches agree that many religions can lead to eternal life.  How did this happen?   Where did we get this?  I can tell you where we didn’t get it.  We didn’t get it from the Bible.  Unfortunately, many professing Christians have adopted this unbiblical worldview.  They have been brainwashed into believing a lie.

Jesus came to make a way for us when there was no other way.  His resurrection validated everything He said.  Before you back away from the scripture as your basis of truth, take time to consider what you are embracing as truth instead, because you cannot reject God’s Word without moving toward acceptance of something or someone else.

“Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved.” (Acts 4:12)  There is one way to heaven.  If there was any other way for our broken relationship with God to be restored, apart from Jesus, then there would have been absolutely no reason for His birth, His sinless life, His death on the cross, His resurrection, and His ascension to the Father.

Jesus said, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” (see John 14:6)  Salvation is found in no other.  There is no other name by which men can be saved.  Instead of worrying about why there aren’t several ways to Heaven, maybe we should pause and be thankful there is one way.  His name is Jesus.

It Doesn’t Get Any Better Than This!

Do you ever stop to think about Heaven?  Most of us don’t.  That is partly because we are constantly pressured to live for today and give no thought to tomorrow.

Even though there are all kinds of ideas, opinions and perceptions of what Heaven is going to be like, according to the Bible, no one can even begin to fathom what Heaven is actually going to be like. (see 1 Cor. 2:9)

Have you ever had one of those “I wish this moment could last forever” moments?   I am talking about those moments when you say, “Life doesn’t get any better than this.”  According to the Bible, that is not true.  In Heaven, life not only gets better than your best moment ever, it gets infinitely and indescribably better than you could ever even imagine.  Think about that!

Most believe heaven will be a good place, but the reality is, most are content with the way things are right here on earth.  For many, their treasure is here on earth.  They’re not interested in laying up treasure in Heaven.  People seem to like the here and now.  Their attitude is that heaven can wait.

Psalm 84:10 says, “Better is one day in your courts than a thousand elsewhere…”  Better is one day, one moment, with God in heaven than a thousand of your best days anywhere else.  Better is one year with Him than a thousand years anywhere else.  Take some time to think about that!

The pleasures we enjoy on this earth are temporary pleasures at best.  But Psalm 16:11 says, “You have made known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.”  Today, all we know is temporary pleasures.  But one of these days with God in heaven, we can experience eternal pleasure that will never pass away.

Jesus reminds us (Matthew 7:13-14) to “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.”  It is wise to remember that heaven is not our default destination.  Hell is.  That is the case until we realize and accept the mercy, the grace and the love of God’s sinless Son, Jesus Christ.

You’re NOT going to like this…

It is interesting that so many people readily accept the fact that there is a real place called heaven, but seem to struggle with the idea of a place called hell.  And yet, both heaven and hell are biblical realities.  Jesus actually spoke more about hell than He did about heaven.  Jesus obviously believed in both.  Shouldn’t you?

Perhaps satan’s best play might be to convince people that hell is not a real place, or at the very least that it is not something to be taken seriously.  If that is his strategy, he seems to be succeeding.  Today a far greater portion of people believe in heaven than believe in hell.  The ratio, in some cases, is almost two to one.

Here on this earth, even an atheist gets to experience God’s goodness and blessings every day.  Even if you want nothing to do with God, you still get to look up into His beautiful blue sky, you still get to take in the fresh air and feel the warmth of the sun on your face.  But in hell there will be a total absence of God’s presence and all of the blessings we have in Him will be gone.

Hell is the one place where God is not.  It is the one place that He has intentionally chosen not to be.  Hell may best be described as the complete absence of God.

Through the years I have heard people say, “How can a loving God send people to hell?”  When it comes right down to it, God does not send people to hell.  People choose to reject God by choosing to live in sin.  They turn their back on Him.  By their actions they are saying, “I want nothing to do with God.”  And in hell, their request will be granted.

Be honest.  If you continually choose to reject God here on earth, aren’t you asking Him to just leave you alone?  One day He will honor that request and in that moment you ultimately experience the complete and total absence of the presence of God.

There are basically only two kinds of people on earth.  There are those who say to God, “Your will be done” and there are those to whom God will one day say, “Your will be done.”  Which of these statements best summarize your life today?

What Happens We We Die? (Part 2)

Last time (part 1 of this blog) we discovered some biblical certainties about death.  Nobody would argue with the fact that we all die.  We also pointed out that the body and soul are separate.  In John 11:25-26 Jesus said, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?”   If Jesus said it, I believe it.  How about you?  He is the only One who ever defeated death.  I will take His word for it.

From a biblical standpoint, we can also be sure that everyone will face final judgment.  Hebrews 9:27 says, “Just as man is destined to die once, and after that to face judgment…”  Judgment is not a popular theme today, but the Bible plainly teaches that judgment is coming for all of us (see Romans 14:10).

When it comes to the judgment of God, apart from Christ, we are all found guilty.  Romans 3:10 reminds us, “There is no one righteous, not even one.”  We have all fallen short and there is no higher court of appeal to look to.  Our only hope for a favorable verdict at God’s judgment is Jesus Christ.

Imagine it like this.  You are on trial for a crime that is punishable by death.  All of the evidence has absolutely convinced the police, the prosecutor, and the jury of your guilt.  You have no alibi.  There is no excuse.  There appears to be no way to avoid the inevitability of a guilty verdict.  Justice must be served.  You will have to pay for your crime.  But just before the verdict is read, Jesus, himself walks into the courtroom and He assumes the penalty for the deeds you have done.

Jesus Christ is the only one to have ever lived without sin, perfectly obeying God’s law and proving that He did not have to die in order to satisfy God’s justice for Himself.  So, being sinless Himself, and not subject to the penalty of death for any of His own sins, He died for the sins of others in order to satisfy justice for them.   A “not guilty” verdict can be announced for those who have received God’s gift of eternal life by putting their faith in Jesus Christ.  Jesus makes it possible for you to get into heaven on His ticket!

 

Being a sinner does not disqualify you…

Last time discovered that the Pharisees had it backwards!  Jesus was hanging out with the tax collectors and sinners.  The Pharisees didn’t get it.  They were on the sidelines critiquing Jesus’ every move.  They were so judgmental.  Interestingly, the Pharisees were the ones who believed right.  They were the ones who behaved right.  Still, they didn’t seem to understand what Jesus was all about.

Jesus said, “Matthew, stand up and follow me.  We are going to your house.”  Matthew got up and followed Jesus.  The religious establishment says, wait just a minute!  Matthew is a tax collector.  Doesn’t he at least have to give up his tax collecting first?  But Jesus didn’t operate by their set of rules.  Their set of rules said, believe the right stuff and behave the right way.  We’ll keep an eye on you and when we think you are ready, we’ll let you join us.  The message of the Pharisees is “Change and you can join us.”  The message of Christ is “join me and you will change.”  There is a significant difference.

Jesus invited people to just take a step and follow.  He didn’t ask Matthew what he believed.  He already knew how he behaved.  He simply said, “FOLLOW.”  If you follow, one of these days you may look in the mirror and you may not recognize who you see.  Not because you signed up to be a rule keeper, but because you entered into a personal relationship with your Heavenly Father.  That is the invitation.

.  In fact, it is a prerequisite.  The only people Jesus invited to follow Him were sinners who needed a Savior.  Every single one of them was a sinner at first.  There were no exceptions.  Those who resisted what Jesus said were the people who thought they were perfect.

I am thankful that there is no sin, no habit, no addiction, problem that puts you outside the circle of those who have been invited to follow Jesus.  And don’t worry if you struggle with doubt.  None of Jesus’ earliest followers believed at first.

The good news is that whether you have big faith, tiny faith, or no faith at all, you have been invited to follow Jesus.  Even if you believe absolutely nothing you can start someplace.  Begin reading the New Testament.  You don’t have to believe everything to get started.

Do you believe the right things and behave the right way?

Before Matthew prayed anything, repented of anything, committed anything, or promised anything, Jesus invited him to follow (See Matthew 9:9).  The Bible tells us that Matthew got up from his tax collecting booth and followed Jesus.  The next verse tells us they went to Matthew’s house for dinner.  More tax collectors and “sinners” came to eat with Jesus and his disciples. Who else would be there to have dinner with them?  These were Matthew’s friends.

The religious establishment didn’t get it.  They asked Jesus’ disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and ‘sinners’?”  They didn’t understand what was happening.  After all, Jesus was a religious teacher and so were they.  He taught in the synagogue just like they did.  Jesus is a law keeper.  They too were law keepers.  He worships God and they worship God.  These were the folks who should have a lot in common with Jesus.  Why wouldn’t Jesus be eating with people who are like Him rather than people who are nothing like Him?

On hearing their questions, Jesus said, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick.”  Matthew and his friends must have heard this.  I could imagine someone questioning Jesus; “Who are you calling sick?”  The truth is, most sick people know when they are sick.  I suspect nobody said a word.  Maybe people who are willing to look in the mirror and admit they need help are the prime candidates to become followers of Jesus.

Jesus was not content to just be with people who believed all the right things and behaved all the right ways.  But He does want to join with people who believe the right things and behave the right way in order to call the people who don’t believe the right things and don’t behave the right ways to follow Him.

The Christian church cannot be content to come together and believe the right things and behave the right ways and let it end there.  If we do, we will find ourselves standing outside the very room that Jesus inhabits as He comes to call the sick and the sinners who need a Savior.  We have been called to partner with our Savior to reach those who know they don’t believe right.  They know they don’t behave right.  They hope there is something more and they are counting on us to teach them the way.

Nobody has to Teach us to Sin

Mankind is born with a sinful nature.  The reason we are born sinners is not because of anything we did.  It is because of who we are related to.  We were all born in Adam, therefore, we are all born in sin.  That’s why nobody had to teach us to sin.  Perhaps you have noticed that.  Sin comes naturally because of the carnal nature we were born with.

The sinful nature really begins to surface about the time a child is two years of age (have you heard about the terrible twos?).  We may think our little boy or girl is so precious, then they start acting like the devil.  What happened?  I have heard parents say, “I just don’t know what got into them.”  The Apostle Paul can tell us.  It has been there all of the time.  It’s called Sin.  It is big, bad and ugly and wherever sin goes, death goes.  That is why we cannot afford to leave this unchecked.  At some point, all of us begin to realize there is something going on within us that on our own we cannot seem to control.

In Romans 5:15, Paul says, “The gift is not like the trespass. For if the many died by the trespass of the one man, how much more did God’s grace and the gift that came by the grace of the one man, Jesus Christ, overflow to the many!”

Just as we were all born in Adam, when you become a Christian, you are taken out of Adam and placed in Christ.  We like to think about the fact that now we get to go to heaven, but Paul never mentions that in this discussion.  This is not a heaven and hell discussion.  This discussion is aimed at people who are asking why they don’t do what they want to do.  Why is it that it seems like there is this thing in me, this power that keeps me from doing what I know in my heart I want to do?

You do things you know you will regret.  You have probably done things that you knew would hurt you or things that would hurt others.  But you do these things anyway.  How do we escape?  The Apostle Paul provides insight that can help. We’ll take a look at what he has to say next time.  In the meantime, check out Romans 5:15-19….

Romans 5:15-19 (NIV)
¹⁵ But the gift is not like the trespass. For if the many died by the trespass of the one man, how much more did God’s grace and the gift that came by the grace of the one man, Jesus Christ, overflow to the many!
¹⁶ Again, the gift of God is not like the result of the one man’s sin: The judgment followed one sin and brought condemnation, but the gift followed many trespasses and brought justification.
¹⁷ For if, by the trespass of the one man, death reigned through that one man, how much more will those who receive God’s abundant provision of grace and of the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man, Jesus Christ.
¹⁸ Consequently, just as the result of one trespass was condemnation for all men, so also the result of one act of righteousness was justification that brings life for all men.
¹⁹ For just as through the disobedience of the one man the many were made sinners, so also through the obedience of the one man the many will be made righteous.

Sin is a Verb and a Noun

Last time I asked, “What makes us ungodly sinners?”  The Apostle Paul said, “Just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way death came to all men, because all sinned. (Romans 5:12)  One of the problems is that we think of sin as a verb, or an action word, and it is.  Sin is something we do.  A Wesleyan definition of sin tells us that sin is a willful transgression of God’s known law.  But there is more to sin than that.

It seems that Paul was speaking of sin as a noun.  At a particular point in time, Sin (the noun) entered the world.  At one point, there was no sin.  But sin then came into the world, through one person.  His name was Adam.  When Adam sinned, Sin entered the world like a disease.  Paul is not describing sin as an activity or a verb.  The way he describes sin here is as a noun that results in verbs.  What that means is that there is Sin that results in sinning.

One of the reasons you struggle with trying to change some of the things you have been unable to change is that you have been addressing the verb sin and not the noun Sin.  It is like trying to cut down the tree without getting rid of the root.

Paul says, “Sin entered the world through one man.”  Death followed close on the heels of sin.  And of us have experienced this.  You have seen how your sin might have killed a relationship, killed your finances, killed your career, or killed your marriage.  Most of us in one way or another have seen the death that followed our sin.  Wherever sin goes, death is close behind.  When Adam sinned, Sin entered the world and along with sin came death.

Because Adam was the first human being, we were all in Adam.  We are his descendants.  When Adam sinned, it is as if we sinned.  Because when Adam sinned, Sin contaminated the entire human race.  So, the problem isn’t just our sinning.  The problem is that we were born sinners.  The reason we were born sinners is not because of anything we did.  It is because of who we are related to – Adam.  More next time…

 

Is it possible there is only one way to God?

Some say that it is inappropriate for Christians to claim that Jesus is the ONLY way to God.  They would see that statement as old fashioned, narrow-minded and intolerant.  And yet, if you believe God’s Word is true, that is exactly what it says.  Jesus said, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”  (John 14:6)   That verse is either true or it is false.  There is one way to heaven or there are many ways to heaven.

Is it possible there is only one way to God?  And if so, what is the basis for such a statement?  Or do all religions really point to the same God?  Are we all just traveling different roads that will ultimately all lead to the same destination?  How can Christians claim that Jesus is the “only” way to God?

When someone asks if a religion is true, at the most basic level, they want to know if it is objectively true.  Do the claims accurately correspond with reality even if no one agrees with them?  A good example of objective truth is found in a simple math equation: 2 + 2 = 4.  This is a mathematical fact, whether I like it or not, whether I believe it or not.  Even if I choose not to accept it as fact, even if no one agrees with it, this is still the truth.

If a religious claim is true, it is true for everyone, even if nobody accepts it as truth.  Religious claims are claims about reality.  These claims are objectively true or they are objectively false.  God either exists or He doesn’t.  You can’t have it both ways!  God is either personal or He is impersonal.  God has revealed Himself at a certain time in history or He hasn’t.  Therefore, what a religion affirms is either true or it is false.

Some will be shocked to learn that there is still such a thing as truth in our secular society.  There is still a difference between right and wrong, black and white, sin and righteousness.  Be warned that if you adhere to any objective truth, the world will be quick to label you as narrow minded, insensitive, judgmental, exclusive and intolerant.  Think about that the next time you hear somebody proclaiming the message of tolerance.

The Room

In one of his books, Josh Harris relates a dream he had one night in a chapter he entitled “The Room.”  He tells about entering an unusual room.  Listen to what he said.

In that place between wakefulness and dreams, I found myself in the room.  There were no distinguishing features of the room except for one wall covered with small index-card files.   They were like the ones in libraries that list titles by author or subject in alphabetical order.

But these files, which stretched from floor to ceiling…had very different headings…the first to catch my attention was one that read, “Girls I have liked.”  I opened it and began flipping through the cards.

And then without being told, I knew exactly where I was.   This lifeless room with its small files was a crude catalog system for my life.   Here were written the actions of every moment, big and small, in a detail my memory couldn’t match.

A sense of wonder and curiosity, coupled with horror, stirred within me as I began randomly opening files and exploring their contents.  Some brought joy and sweet memories; others a sense of shame and regret so intense that I would look over my shoulder to see if anyone was watching me.  A file named “Friends” was next to one marked “Friends I Have Betrayed.”

The titles ranged from the mundane to the outright weird.  “Books I have read.” “Jokes I’ve Laughed At.”  “Things I’ve done in anger.”  Often there were many more cards than I expected.  Sometimes there were fewer than I had hoped.

I was overwhelmed by the sheer volume of the life I had lived.  Could it be possible that I had the time…to write each of these thousands, possibly millions, of cards?  But each card confirmed this truth.  Each was written in my own handwriting.  Each signed with my signature.

When I came to a file marked “Lustful Thoughts,” I felt a chill run through my body.  I pulled the file out only an inch, not willing to test its size, and drew out a card.  I shuddered at its detailed contents.  I felt so sick to think that such a moment had been recorded.

Suddenly I felt an almost animal rage.  One thought dominated my mind: “No one must ever see these cards!  No one must ever see this room!  I have to destroy them!”

In an insane frenzy I yanked the file out.  Its size didn’t matter now.  I had to empty and burn the cards.  But as I took the file at one end and began pounding it on the floor, I could not dislodge a single card.   I became desperate and pulled out a card, only to find it as strong as steel when I tried to tear it.

Defeated and utterly helpless, I returned the file to its slot.  Leaning my forehead against the wall, I let out a long self-pitying sigh…and then the tears came.  I began to weep.   Sobs so deep that the hurt started in my stomach and shook through me.

I fell on my knees and cried.  I cried out in shame, from the overwhelming shame of it all.  The rows of file shelves swirled in my tear-filled eyes.  No one must ever, ever know of this room.  I must lock it up and hide the key.

But then as I pushed away the tears I saw Him.  No, please not Him.  Not here.  Oh, anyone but Jesus.

I watched helplessly as he began to open the files and read the cards.  I couldn’t bear to watch his response.  And in the moments I could bring myself to look at his face, I saw a sorrow deeper than my own.  He seemed to intuitively go to the worst boxes.  Why did He have to read every one?

Finally He turned and looked at me from across the room.  He looked at me with grace in His eyes.  But this was a compassion that didn’t anger me.  I dropped my head, covered my face with my hands and began to cry again.  He walked over and put His arm around me.  He could have said so many things.  But He didn’t say a word.  Jesus just cried with me.

Then He got up and walked back to the wall of files.  Starting at one end of the room, He took out a file and, one by one, began to sign His name over mine on each card.

“No!” I shouted, rushing to Him.  All I could find to say was, “No, no,” as I pulled the card from Him.  His name shouldn’t be on these cards.  But there it was, written in red so rich, so dark, and so alive.  The name of Jesus covered mine.  It was written with His blood.

He gently took the card back.  He smiled a sad smile and continued to sign the cards.

I don’t think I’ll ever understand how He did it so quickly, but the next instant it seemed I heard Him close the last file and walk back to my side.  He placed His hand on my shoulder and said, “It is finished.”

 

 I am thankful for God’s amazing grace.  How about you?