Saturday, October 18, 2014

October 19, 2014

"Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." John 14:6

Imagine you are walking your dog in your neighborhood when a stranger pulls up to the curb and asks you for directions. That person is hoping you will give him very clear, simple and specific directions.

What will you do?

You start thinking about the way you should tell him to go, but then you get worried that when you tell him the one way he should go that he will be offended and call you intolerant and narrow-minded. So, you respond. "Well, you COULD go to your left at the next intersection and then go two blocks and take a left then go straight for a mile. OR, you could turn around and go back the way you came until you come to the intersection. Take a left at that intersection where you will turn right and go for five blocks. OR, you could take a right at the next intersection and go five blocks and take a lift at the Fire Department. You can choose whichever way you like because they will all get you to the same place - eventually. After all, it doesn't really matter which way you take as long as you are sincere."

You wouldn't do that. No one would. When someone asks you to show them the way you will direct him in the best way you know.

Why, then would you hesitate to direct someone to the one true way to Heaven, through faith in Christ?

And why should someone call you intolerant if you tell him that Christ is the only true Way to Heaven? 

If he expects clear and specific directions to his desired earthly destination, why should he be offended if you share clear specific directions for his eternal destination?

But, how can you do less than share the truth about how to get to Heaven when you know the way?

How can you do less than share the one way to Heaven when you believe in that way and when you have trusted in that way for your own eternal destiny?

If they ask you for directions, and if you know the way and if you are personally convinced of that way, why should you worry about them being offended? If you don't share the truth about Heaven for fear of offending him, you will be offending God and your own conscience.

You know you can't isolate yourself to Heaven as the Buddhists try to do by avoiding all attachments and distractions in life. So why would you direct anyone down that road?

You know you can't meditate yourself to Heaven as the Hindus try to do. So why would you ever want to someone to take that road?

You know you can't earn yourself to Heaven by way of good works like the Muslims and several major cults try to do. So why you ever want to tell someone else to go on that road?

The way to Heaven comes through a relationship because Heaven is about a Person! If Heaven was just a place, then maybe a religion could get you there, but it is about God! Heaven is His place! It is the place of His presence, and the place of His peace, and the place of His purity!

Jesus boldly declared that He is the ONLY Way to Heaven, so you if you are hesitant to say that there is only one way to Heaven, just quote the Words of Jesus, "I am the Way, the Truth and the Life. No one comes to the Father but by me!" 

Exclusive?

Sure! And you may be considered narrow-minded.

Intolerant?

Sure! And some day it might considered "hate speech" to say that  Christ is the only way.

True?

Absolutely!