IS JESUS THE ONLY WAY TO GOD?
Jesus Makes Headlines
JESUS’ MOST CONTROVERSIAL CLAIM:
Jesus: “… I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father, but by Me.” John 14:6 (RSV)
MYTH #1: ALL RELIGION ARE BASICALLY THE SAME.
Reality: Christianity cannot be RECONCILED with any other religion.
“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 (NIV)
Other religions are spelled DO.
Christianity is spelled DONE.
“He saved us. It was not because of any good [works] that we ourselves had done, but because of His own mercy that He saved us…” Titus 3:5 (GNT; TEV)
MYTH #2: ALL RELIGION HAVE EQUAL CLAIM TO TRUTH.
Reality: Only Jesus backs up His claims with unique CREDENTIALS that gives Him unique CREDIBILITY.
“… Jesus of Nazareth was a man whose divine [mission] was clearly [shown] to you by all the miracles, [wonders, and signs] which God did through Him. You yourselves know this, for it [took place] here among you.” Acts 2:22 (GNT; TEV)
Myth #3: CHRISTIANS ARE ARROGANT WHEN THEY SAY JESUS IS THE ONLY WAY TO HEAVEN.
Reality: It is not ARROGANT to act upon the EVIDENCE.
“… Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect.” 1 Peter 3:15 (NIV)
WHAT ABOUT THOSE WHO LIVE IN ISOLATED PLACES?
• God puts each person in the PLACE where they might reach out to Him.
“From one man He made [every nation of men], that they should inhabit the whole earth; and He [determined] the times set for them and the exact places where they should live. God did this so that [men] would seek Him and perhaps reach out for Him and find Him, though He is not far from [each] one of us.” Acts 17:26-27 (NIV)
• Everyone has a MORAL STANDARD written on their hearts, and all are guilty of violating it.
“… the requirements of the law are written on their hearts, their consciences also bearing witness…” Romans 2:15 (NIV)
“… No one… in all the world is innocent…” Romans 3:10 (TLB)
• Everyone has enough information from observing CREATION to know God exists, but people REJECT God anyway.
“For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities – His eternal power and divine nature – have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that [men] are without excuse. For although they knew God, they neither glorified Him as God nor gave thanks to Him…” Romans 1:20-21 (NIV)
• Everyone who sincerely SEEK God will FIND Him.
“You will seek Me and find Me when you seek Me with all your heart.” Jeremiah 29:13 (NIV)
• God is scrupulously FAIR.
“Will not the Judge of the earth do right?” Genesis 18:25c (NIV)