Today, and by that, I mean the last few decades, there has been an increasing approach to faith, religion, and a belief in God that makes a rather bold statement disguised as tolerance. Particularly those of a New Age persuasion about God, the saying is, All religions lead to the same God. However, the more intriguing part of this movement is that there appears to be an increasing number of Christians adopting this model. Today, the most prevalent understanding is the Universalist view of religions, which take a perennial approach to God’s plan of salvation.
Under the perennial view of salvation, the argument is made that God has given an inkling of divine truth to all religions and belief systems in the world to lead everyone to Himself, apart from the Person of Jesus Christ. However novel the idea, this is a stark divide and opposite stance to that of the Bible and Jesus Christ’s proclamation of God. So why are we as people of Christian belief tempted to accept that we are to coexist, assuming the Christian faith is one of many ways to heaven?
“Jesus said to him [Thomas], "I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me. If you had known Me, you would have known My Father also; from now on you know Him, and have seen Him." (John 14:5-7, NASB)
Jesus Christ has just washed the disciple’s feet and has announced that one among the 12 would betray him to be crucified. Added to this, Jesus announces that their time together is at an end and that He will prepare a place of rest and will then come to gather the disciples unto Himself. The setting for this image is intimate, personal, and deeply emotional. While the disciples were expecting a conquering hero, the promised deliverer of the Jewish Nation -Jesus -will conquer death, sin, and Satan; in addition to offering forgiveness and salvation to His own enemies. This is not the Messiah the disciples expected.
Truth is that God is not as most of us expect Him. God moves in His own way to show His glory to a people whose blinders are so fixed that truth seems foreign and far off. Jesus makes an exclusive remark that is provided in an inclusive setting. There are certainty and trust placed on the remarks made by our Lord.
1. Jesus makes it clear; only one way. While individuals make it a point to avoid discord, disagreement, and offense, Jesus does not mince words about the path given to humanity to come into a saving relationship with the Father. The definitive claim, I am, stands as a central remark about who the Son of God is in relation to the Father. Should anyone desire to have eternal life, it is the work of the Son as He is the fullness of the Father (God) in human form.
2. There is one truth; The Gospel embodied in Jesus Christ. Religions around the world offer a sense of accomplishment and fulfillment as a part of the path to eternal life. For Muslims, there are five pillars that must be obeyed to honor a god who is impersonal with no connection to eternal rest for those who trust him. For Buddhists, there is no afterlife, only a path that leads to oneness with the universe through the highest form of enlightenment (Nirvana). Even to some sub-Christian groups, such as Latter-Day Saints, and Jehovah’s Witness, the gospel proclaimed strays from the one truth found in Jesus as additions and editions are made in favor of having the “full revelation of god” for their adherents. However, Jesus makes this simple: I am the TRUTH with no room for double guessing.
3. There is but one life; The eternal life provided by and through Jesus Christ. Jesus makes a final decisive proclamation about eternity and life on earth. I am the LIFE. Christians today are persuaded and led to believe that in the Christian life there are multiple lifestyles that will honor God while allowing each individual’s perception to take place. You may be a Christian, but you may choose to believe that you are born homosexual. You may be a Christian, but choose to lead a life in adultery, or licentiousness. You may be a Christian but may choose to indulge in pornography or other pleasures that are not God-honoring. The temptation is to say God designed me this way and therefore I am glorifying Him as I am. Jesus makes it clear that if we surrender our lives for His sake we will find it (meaning, we will have life at its fullest; Matthew 10:39). As we come into a relationship with the Living God, we are moved from darkness to light and to a fulfilled life in His power.
The Biblical answer is that there are not many roads to Heaven or eternal life, but one way to the Living God and eternal life. That bridge between this world and the next; the revelation of the Living God, is none other than Jesus Christ. Perhaps a fitting reminder is the message of Jesus as He exclaimed the narrow nature of the gate that leads to life, while the gate that leads to perdition is broad (Matthew 7; Read the full chapter). Jesus invites the multitudes to taste and see His goodness, but the unsavory message and its cost, are hurdles that are hard to overcome with personal baggage.
Dear reader, as you read, pray, and consider the way of God’s presence through Jesus Christ, I encourage you to see the goodness of His gift, and how the Gospel message is life-giving, while anything human elements may add will only cause division, confusion, and even detours from the narrow gate to the broad way of the world. May you be found upon the narrow way, leading to the narrow gate.
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