Is Jesus the Only Way to the Father?

In my previous article I discussed Jesus as the only way to salvation, but in this article I want to be more direct on questions that are asked frequently by many Christians. My focus will be on John 14:1-6.

In these six verses we come to a place where Thomas, a disciple, makes a statement followed by a question for Jesus. I have provided the verses below and will highlight the conversation between Thomas and Jesus.

“Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. 2 In my Father's house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also. 4 And you know the way to where I am going.” 5 Thomas said to him, “Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way?” 6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me."

Jesus leaves absolutely no wiggle room with His answer to a direct question about the exact place He is going, and adds that He is the only way to get there. Yet, today Christians try to finagle a way for everyone to "get in" outside of the gospel of Jesus. Some will ask, "What about those who are devout Muslims, Buddhists, Mormons, and Catholics?" The answer to this question and similarly phrased questions is the same. Jesus said, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." This answer is also true for those of us who call ourselves Protestant, Evangelical, or even Christian. Jesus is the only way, period!

We as "Christians" who believe what Jesus, Himself taught, must not be afraid to speak or teach this truth. Will there be those who are from a Muslim, Buddhists, Mormon, or Catholic decent who make it to the Father? Sure...if, and only if they have been born again. Let me assure to you that this in no way implies or even hints that there are multiple ways to get to the Father or that Jesus is simply the best way. That message is heretical and doused with universalism flavor.

In John chapter three, Jesus has a conversation with Nicodemus, a very educated man. Jesus said this to him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.”

Is Jesus the only way to the Father? A resounding YES, is the only correct answer!

John Piper Responds to Article "Common Ground"

Salvation Through Christ Alone

In a society that seems to shift at the blink of an eye, we as Christians must hold fast to the true gospel of salvation. Salvation is through Jesus alone. Sadly, some of our Christian brothers and sisters, in fear of being labeled in-tolerant, are afraid to speak this truth. Jesus is the propitiation of our sins, the sins of those who believe. If there is another way other than through the cross and resurrection, then Jesus died in vain and the wrath of God is still upon us.

Jesus was asked by Thomas, "Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way?" Jesus responded with, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." (John 14:5-6)

"For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God." (2 Corinthians 5:21)

"In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins." (1 John 4:10)

You will hear from many non-Christians that Jesus is not the only way. It is absolutely astonishing, not biblically speaking, but to me personally how many of our so called Christian brothers and sisters agree with this frame of teaching. God in the Ten Commandments tells us that we are to have no other gods before Him. Paul in Galatians 1:6-9 emphatically says there is no other gospel. So why? Why are so many in the church so quick to succumb to such heresy? I will give you three reasons why I believe we are seeing this push for tolerance.

1. Democracy
Democracy and the Bible are not synonymous when it pertains to truth. The Bible teaches absolute truth where democracy teaches a truth can be multi-faceted. I, in no way regret that we live in a democratic society but we must not allow it to effect our doctrine or theology of the Bible.

2. Emergent Feel Goods
There is a movement amongst many Christian churches that stray far away from any gory talk of the Cross. They would rather have a discussion about love and peace rather than propitiation, wrath, and conditional love. God's love toward us is definitely conditional on the work of the Cross in our lives. I am absolutely for hope, love, peace and all the cool benefits of being a Christian but Paul (the writer of 13 books in the NT, said the following, "that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death," Philippians 3:10)

3. Lack of Discipleship
Matthew 28:19-20 is considered the Great Commission. These verses encourage believers to go into all the world with the gospel of Jesus. The problem is most mission organizations and even churches are forgetting two aspects of the Great Commission. In these two verses we find a total of four mandates from Jesus to His disciples (believers). 1. Go and share the gospel 2. Baptize those who believe 3. Teach them the Bible 4. Make disciples who can go (Great Commission)
Most churches and denominations are really good at #1 and #2 but struggle to get to the other two mandates.

This article in no way is to judge any group of people or denomination but to remind myself and you that regardless of what the world or some churches teach salvation is found in only One, who is Jesus Christ. What a wonderful Savior, indeed!

The Supremacy of Christ

A study on Hebrews chapter one:

We vividly see the supremacy of Christ above all things in the introduction of the book of Hebrews. A quick glance at this chapter will not suffice to reveal all the treasure it holds. For the sake of your time (the reader) I will choose to keep this short and to the point. The supremacy of Christ above all things is easily visible in the following:

1. God once spoke through the prophets but now He speaks through Jesus (v. 1-2)
2. Jesus is described as heir of all things. (v. 2)
3. All things were created for Him. (v. 2)
4. Jesus is the radiance of God's glory. (v. 3)
5. Jesus displays the exact nature (imprint) of God. (v. 3)
6. Apart from Jesus the universe would be destroyed. (v. 3)
7. It is only through Jesus that we even exist. (v. 3)
8. He cleanses us through an atoning death on the cross. (v. 3)
9. He sits at the right hand of the Majesty on high. (v. 3)
10. Jesus is superior to angels. (v. 4)
11. His name is above all names. (v. 4)
12. Through a relationship (one who is regenerate) with Jesus we are favored above the angels. Not because of us but because of Him. (v. 14)

Our hope is in the crucified, risen person and Savior, Jesus Christ. He is our great reward. No earthly stuff, accolades, achievements could ever compare to the reward believers have in Jesus Christ. Nothing in the past, present, or future could match the reward believers have in Jesus. Oh, what a matchless reward!

Centrality of the Cross

In my brief journey in church ministry I am amazed at the decline of the preaching of the cross. It seems that Christians are more likely to sport a cross around their neck, a fish on their car, or wear some cheesy Christian t-shirt rather than want to speak of or hear about the slaughter of Jesus on the Cross. We live in a society that proposes a new gospel of health, wealth, with a nice bowl of cheerios due to the pressure of political correctness. Paul in his letter to the church of Galatia says this, "I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting him who called you in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel— not that there is another one, but there are some who trouble you and want to distort the gospel of Christ. But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be accursed. As we have said before, so now I say again: If anyone is preaching to you a gospel contrary to the one you received, let him be accursed." Galatians 1:6-9

Regardless of our personal opinions, political preference, denomination, eschatology, ecclesiology, or our personal stance on the gifts of the Spirit, we must never lose sight that we as Christians have to be together for the gospel with the cross as center. "For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God." 1 Corinthians 1:18. If we take the offense of the gospel out, the same offense that I experienced as a non-believer, then it's not the gospel. I remember cursing the idea that Jesus was the only way. I referred to it as ridiculous and stupid. I would take God's name in vain just to offend those who treasured His name. How could we ever attempt to remove the atoning sacrifice and substitution from the gospel? Without the gospel of Jesus I am cursed and have no hope.

We as young believers have to get past our differences and remain true to the gospel, the true gospel we read about in the Bible. My prayer is that we consider the wrath of God displayed on the Cross on our behalf. Our hope is in the gospel with the cross central. We cannot, and must not bow down to the Oprah's of today. God have mercy on me or anyone who preaches or teaches another gospel contrary to the true gospel so plainly laid out for us in Scripture.

Our goal is not to be offensive with our judgmental attitudes. Jesus demands us to love our neighbors as ourselves. Our love expressed through sacrificial suffering, while on the pathway of obedience, all for the sake of the gospel is our mandate. Oh what a glorious calling!