Meryl Streep played a nun in the movie Doubt, so, of course, she was asked her opinion on religion. She answered that the teachings of various religions “form a kind of fence that divides us from each other,” and that as a mother “I deeply resent the idea that if you’re not a member of a church, temple, ashram, synagogue or—what else is there?—that you are somehow denying your children the meaning of life. I feel I’m a deeply moral person. But often religion is a club, out of which people are excluded.”
Streep’s comments resonate with our generation. Our culture’s highest value is inclusion—we want everyone to feel as if they belong. While this is a noble aim, it can become silly when every child receives a trophy just for participating, and it can become dangerous when we think that every religion leads to God.
Jesus is the only way to life, because He alone can heal our sin disease. This was Peter’s point in Acts 4 as he addressed the religious leaders. As the crippled man “was healed by the powerful name of Jesus Christ,” so there is “no other name under heaven by which we must be saved” (Acts 4:10,12).
Peter’s insistence that Jesus is the only way strikes people in one of two ways. If they believe that people are basically good, they will think it is unloving to insist that everyone must believe in Jesus. But if they agree with Scripture that we are all sinners (Romans 3:10-12), they will understand that everyone needs a Savior.
Any path will not do. For we who are crippled by sin can’t take a single step toward righteousness without God’s help. We need a healer, and there’s only one candidate for that job. His name is Jesus.
NLT 365-day reading plan passage for today: John 11:1-36
More:
Learn about our sin problem in Psalm 51:1- 11 and 53:1-3, and then read Matthew 9:12-13 for God’s solution.
Next:
It’s popular to think that a loving God wouldn’t require sinners to believe in Jesus. How might this view be disrespectful of Jesus and what He did for us? Who is Jesus to you?
Gee Alc on August 18, 2011 at 2:57 am
I wonder. Sometimes i get confused… Should i commune with others or is my personal relationship with God sufficient. I sometimes feel a little lost not belonging to a church, somehow lonely. I believe God cares for me enough to save me and it doesnt matter what religion i belong to, but i somehow still feel the urge to find a place where i can hear God’s word and commune with co Christians. Can’t seem to find any around me.
pastortim on August 18, 2011 at 5:18 am
Great devo, the part about everyone being included and every religion leading to God. This is really how some people feel. Gee Alc The word says to not forsake gathering together in the new testament and to be planted in a church so you can grow in proverbs, I pray you will find a good bible based stable church to learn, grow in Christ and find other believers to be friends with.
cricket41 on August 18, 2011 at 5:37 am
Good morning Gee Alc. I agree with pastortim. My own experience with being isolated from people was not good. You say you have the urge? have you ever thought that that could be God knocking on the door of your heart? I also had that urge, I was so thirsty for the word, and finally MADE myself go. I now have a few people who are true friends, just go and go and go and God will lead your footsteps, and you will know when you have found the right place. Don’t give up, and if you are home watch some of the spiritual things on t.v. or radio, surround yourself with God. Hope this helped some…..
eppistle on August 18, 2011 at 6:18 am
Many people are offended at the Bible’s claim that believing in Jesus is the only way to heaven (John 14:6; Acts 4:12). But it’s not as if there were many ways to heaven and God eliminated all of them except one. Before Jesus died, He told His Father that if there was any other way for our sins to be punished that He wanted to be spared going to the cross, but if there was no other way, He would submit to God’s will and take the punishment for us (Luke 22:42). Since there was no other way for our sins to be forgiven, Jesus took the punishment for us. So instead of rejecting Christianity for its exclusivity, we should be grateful to the Triune God for choosing to rescue us by making the ultimate sacrifice.
If you were dying of a deadly disease and there was only one cure for your disease, would it be wrong for the person with the cure to warn you that all other offers to you were mere placebos with no medicinal value? In the same way if belief in Jesus is the only way to be saved from our sins, would it be wrong for Christians to warn you that all other religions do not save? Of course if there are other ways, it would be wrong. Or if Christianity is merely a preferred worldview to look at life rather than the objectively true only way to heaven, then it’s arrogant to claim exclusivity. But exclusivity doesn’t automatically make something wrong. The question is whether Christianity and other religions is like the difference between Coke and Pepsi, or whether it’s like the difference between true medicine and placebos. Evangelical Christians sincerely believe it’s the latter and that’s why we try so hard to convince people to believe in Jesus.
followingHim on August 18, 2011 at 11:28 am
“So if I don’t believe what YOU believe, God will send me to Hell? I wouldn’t want to believe in that kind of God.” That’s a tough objection to deal with! We hear it a lot.
I answer that it’s not what we “believe,” but what is TRUE. A person has an absolute right to believe what he wants–but that doesn’t mean what he believes is right! People are often tragically misled by what they believe in their hearts. As we read in Jeremiah (17.9), “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked…”
Assure people that God is “no respecter of persons,” (Acts 10.4). Regardless of a person’s ethnicity or any station in life or wretched sinfulness, He welcomes them into new birth and new life (2 Cor. 5.17).
“After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands, and crying out with a loud voice, “Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!” (Rev. 7.9,10)
daisymarygoldr on August 18, 2011 at 1:34 pm
Great sharing, Mike Wittmer and all!
Jesus was all for inclusion and accepted those who were sinners, sick and needy. Yet He excluded religious leaders who were “deeply moral” and refused to accept Him. The Gospel is always inclusive and invites everyone to come in through Jesus Christ- the door, and be a part of God’s household.
mike wittmer on August 19, 2011 at 8:41 am
These are inspiring comments. Thanks! I appreciated the idea that Jesus didn’t come to shut down other ways to get to God, for there was–and still is–no other way. And if there was, then Jesus’ death on the cross wouldn’t be necessary. So why would God have asked him to do it?
littlemisslea on August 19, 2011 at 9:46 pm
Other people may say that God is so strict that there is only one way to salvation. But the truth is, we MUST be thankful and happy that THERE IS a way!
bearpair on August 19, 2011 at 11:27 am
So true, & well said, Mike! As I have been corresponding with former students from a Christian HS (’76-’79), I hear much that same attitude, as they look back at what they perceive as a rule-based school/faith. Some grow beyond that, while others still reject! So sad.
littlemisslea on August 19, 2011 at 9:44 pm
Gee Alc, just like you, i was in that situation. God has called me 6 years ago but i never belonged to any particular church. But God is faithful and He will fulfill His promise, that is why He has placed that nudging feeling in your heart to direct you. It’s not easy being a lone Christian. You are more prone to temptation and can easily be a prey to the enemy if you are fighting the spiritual battle alone. But with a community, you have spiritual support to help you, direct you, discipline you if necessary. It will help you in your walk with God.
GChoo on August 22, 2011 at 5:25 pm
Our God is a faithful God. He will never leave us nor abandon us once we accepted Him as our personal Saviour and Lord.
At one point in my early adult life, i believed that i can be strong in my faith just reading God’s Word on my own without any fellowship with other christians. I made decisions based on my own wisdom and understanding, thus had made life’s mistakes along the way. Fortunately it wasn’t devastating ones. And it is always a wonder how God will protect and guide us back to Him. It is definitely very important not to isolate oneself. God had said in the Bible (His Word) that we must not only have a relationship with Him but also fellowship with christians brothers and sisters. We need support in all areas of our lives as all the above posts have mentioned.
I can understand that we can be faced with problems in the church. In fact the church is no different from any outside set-up or organisation where we work. It is made up of people with different up-bringing, cultures and personalities. However, it is through living out God’s teaching that we learn to be gracious and love each other and to act out (in our own behaviour) God’s love to people outwith our church community. It is never easy but as we pray for one and another and learn to be obedient to God’s Word, He will change us to be more like Him.
Gee Alc on August 23, 2011 at 1:14 am
About a year ago. I was not even familiar with many aspect of God’s Word thru the bible.
I have read it when i was very young on my own when knowldI appreciate all your words. I feel more enlightened and empowered to commune. Thanks all. Know that one way or the other you helped shape a young lonely Christian with her struggles of finding a Christian home. May God bless you all. In Jesus name.
Gee Alc on August 23, 2011 at 1:20 am
When knowledge was lacking and i was just reading because there were stories that were interesting. I have not been exposed to Christianity the way most would expect. A year ago my entire perspective of faith, of God and His Love and being a true Christian changed. I am still struggling to maintain all the things i have started to transform. Sometimes sad cause i feel lonely with my endeavor and path. My family does not see things the way i see things. Friends see me as unusually different.and so starts my journey towards God alone. I pray that all your hopes for me succeed…
joo_sg on August 25, 2011 at 12:12 am
When we question is Jesus is “the Way, the Truth and the Life” and no one goes to the Father except through Him, there are 2 important convictions we must have.
Mike has mentioned the first – our view of sin. Sins has its consequence and punishment. And the only atonement for sin is through blood. Sin creates a chasm between man and God and this chasm has to be bridged
The second is our view of Christ. The issue of Christ’s redemption. It is a historical fact. But is it really for a once-and-for-all redemption as the Christians claim. Man cannot be reconciled with God merely through our personal goodness and good work because “our righteousness is like filthy rags before Him”. Hence God initiated reconciliation by choosing to come in the person of Christ. The God Transcedent chose to make Himself God Immanent to reconcile humanity with Him. Christ, the preexistent Logos, was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born through the virgin Mary, He is fully GOD and fully man. If the bedrock of the divinity of Christ is challenged, the whole issue of Christ is the Way, Truth and Life cannot hold water.