No Other Name

To me one there is an aspect of Christianity that sets it apart from all other religions and "paths" to God. There is a universal truth to it, straight from the mouth of Jesus, that lets me know in my heart, there really is none other. It is the most politically incorrect saying of our day. It is perceived as intolerant (as if we had a right to determine tolerance). It ties in with many other essential Christian beliefs, but stands out among the top 3 by far, and for me, the one most important to defend.

"I am the Way, the truth, and the life, and No one comes to the Father, but by me." John 14:6

That is a quote from Jesus. The same Jesus that the liberal Christians call a good teacher and nothing more. The same Jesus the other religions call a great prophet and nothing more. The Jesus that is compared to Gandhi and other great men and nothing more. That view of Jesus, that version of Jesus they have created, couldn't be further from the reality of who Jesus really is, was, and will be....God.

Jesus is God. To dispute is to ignore much of what he said himself. The oldest versions of the New Testament confirm it, the new versions repeat it. His followers died for it. His current disciples are shunned for it. Truth revolves around it.

Religion, in the sense of the word most people use it, is not really tied to Jesus at all. A coworker the other day asked if I was "religious." I replied "no" of course. Because if there was one thing Jesus hated it was the legalism of religious institution. The Pharisees of the day were on the top of his list.

Now that is not to say that the Christian church isn't a good method of worship and fellowship for Christians. I am saying when the legalistic aspect of it overshadows the two most important aspects (Bible as God's inerrant word, and Jesus as God) then it can become a problem.

I think most of our culture still associates Jesus and the church with Catholic scandal, forced worship/school attendance as children, and lacks a true understanding of the personal relationship with Christ that is at the heart of Christianity, and was at the heart of it, since his resurrection.

Now, it is stated many times throughout the New Testament books that follow the Gospels, that Christ's resurrection was accepted as a true fact. Paul points out in 1 Corinthians 15, that He was witnessed by more than 500 people. A new finding at the Magdalene college, has dated manuscripts back to 50 or 60 A.D., just after Christ's death, and nearly 50-70 years earlier than previous copies. That is even earlier than the temple destruction in 70 A.D.

Paul references both the Old and New Testament in one of his letters, simultaneously, demonstrating that at least some of the Gospel writings existed in some form during the time of his writings.

In 1 Corinthians 15:13, Paul says, "But if there is no coming back from the dead, then Christ has not come back from the dead: And if Christ did not come back again from the dead, then our good news and your faith in it are of no effect." Paul trusted so fully in Christ's resurrection, that he suffered and eventually died for his testimony.

Now, in our current society with suicide bombers, Martyrdom has been essentially corrupted. In the early church days, true persecution (not that sought after for glory) and martyrdom were a real problem, and many early Christians suffered and died for their beliefs. Eleven of Twelve apostles died horrible deaths for their faith, and the one who survived initial persecution was burned badly and exiled.

Now, If Christ repeatedly pointed out that He and the Father are the same (John 10:30, John 14:10-11), and stated that he is the only means of attaining salvation from our sinful nature and actions (John 14:6), then why is there any debate to his claim of the only way.

I think it comes down to religious pluralism that is permeating society these days in the name of tolerance. Christians and non-Christians alike have taken up the stance that everyone's truth is valid and everyone's way to God is possibly correct. The early church, apostles and Christ himself would be quick to rebuke that heresy.

Jesus command us to love one another, but he also said more about hell than anyone in the Bible. He commanded us to forgive and not judge one another, but he also said that HE is the ONLY means of salvation. Jesus didn't say, after me will come a Buddha and a new prophet and incarnations of pagan gods that will be equally valid for attaining your salvation. HE never would have endorsed anything of the sort!

Jesus Christ and the Father are one. The father is a more predominant theme in the Old Testament because the Israelites were leaving a nation of many gods to follow the  one true God, and could not have grasped the trinitarian concepts at that stage. Slowly through Biblical history we see the trinitarian nature revealed, and even in Genesis, the triune nature of our God is visible.

I hear so much now about Christians who are also practicing meditation and astrology and yoga and other activities that come directly from Buddhist or Pagan roots. Christ is to be our peace, our stress relief, our means of attaining whatever he desires for us to attain. There is no room in Christianity for these anti-Christian systems, and yet they now permeate the faith.

We must be ever vigilant and watchful over our Christian brother and sisters. Much like the church at Corinth, who Paul rebuked, we are to be mature in our faith, trusting fully in Christ for salvation, not other means. We are to live pure and holy lives. This includes not living together before marriage, not practicing astrology, not being drunk, and many other obvious established morals from God.

Christians like to practice pointing the finger by acknowledging someone else's sin, while stating they would NEVER stoop to something like that. Then they turn right around and start practicing their Buddhist mediation/prayers to their version of God, and consider themselves holy in God's eye. It is a lie!

I encourage all of you who may have some activity that you aren't thinking is sin, to ask yourself, if you would still be doing it if Christ was standing there in the room. I've struggled, just as everyone, with my own vices and demons, but have finally begun to overcome, knowing full well what is expected, and being without excuse.

I will close with this. In Acts Chapter 4, Peter and John were being questioned by the Sanhedrin for healing a man outside the synagogue in Christ's name. Peter is then filled with the Holy Spirit and speaks :
"...If we are questioned today about a good work done to a man who was ill, as to how he has been made well, Take note, all of you, and all the people of Israel, that in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you put to death on the cross, whom God gave back from the dead, even through him is this man now before you completely well. He is the stone which you builders had no use for, but which has been made the chief stone of the building. And in no other is there salvation: for there is no other name under heaven, given among men, through which we may have salvation." Acts 4:9-12 Emphasis on 12).

Those who seek multiple paths to God, or flat out deny Christ as the only way to God, are not cogniscent of their need for a savior. They are relying on themselves to attain their own brand of salvation. But "all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God." (Romans 3:23). We are all in need of a savior, and God, being full of love for his creation, came down to live like us, and die a penitent death on the cross, so that we wouldn't have to cover our sin with animal sacrifice, never to be clean. Through Christ's death we are made whole, and all we have to do is believe, accept the gift of salvation. Through his death we are cleansed, through repentance and turning from sin we are sanctified and filled with the spirit of God for good works. This is the part many Christians (including me) struggle with. Fully embracing God's morality, and tossing our own version out the window. Knowing we will always fall short of holiness without our mediator, Christ Jesus. God poured the wrath meant for us on himself in Christ so that we wouldn't have to experience it. His great love for us is evident everyday.

Christians don't wait any longer to start living right. Your salvations includes a repentance clause, and ignoring that will only bring heartache and a lack of blessings. Non-Christians, consider what was done for you. God in his love for you, died so that you could live eternally, if you only accept it. You may not be perfect right now. You may have some baggage. God can handle it. Turn to Jesus, and live.

May God bless you all!

Let this song by Chris Rice, motivate you to turn...it is a beautiful call to Jesus
http://youtu.be/e_4g8_e16dc