My friend was telling me about her tour of historic churches in New England. These buildings housed congregations that once proclaimed the gospel but had long ago turned to unorthodox views. In one church, the tour guide explained that wooden shutters concealed a beautiful stained-glass window of Jesus. “We only open these shutters on Easter,” she explained, “because we don’t want to privilege any one religion over another.”
Today, many Christians feel uncomfortable saying that Jesus is the only way to God. A recent US survey found that 47 percent of “evangelical Christians” agreed with the statement that “many religions can lead to eternal life.” Another poll found that 20 percent of evangelical Christians believed that “if a person is sincerely seeking God, he/she can obtain eternal life through religions other than Christianity.” If these surveys are reliable, then between one-fifth and one-half of born-again Christians in the US believe that people can be saved without being born again. They love their unsaved friends and don’t want to exclude them for having different beliefs.
But here’s the thing. The same arms that pull these religions in must also push Jesus out (John 14:6). We can’t declare that other religions have the power to save without also admitting that Jesus’ sacrifice was unnecessary. Augustine explained that if anyone can be saved apart from Jesus, then “Christ has died in vain.” Would Jesus have suffered on the cross if He didn’t believe it was essential for our salvation? (Acts 4:12). When we suggest that people can be saved by sincerely following their religion, we imply that Jesus and His sacrifice are not important or necessary.
We can’t love Jesus and endorse other religions. We must choose (Isaiah 43:10-11).
NLT 365-day reading plan passage for today: Acts 9:32-42
More:
Read 1 Thessalonians 2:14-16. What does Paul assume people need in order to be saved?
Next:
What would you say to a friend who asked you to accept her religion just as she accepts yours? How can you show people that you respect them but cannot accept their beliefs apart from Jesus?
Gene on October 22, 2012 at 7:15 am
The question in the “Next” section is a tough one. I would take the opportunity with a friend and explore a few verses like Isaiah 43:10 and also let them know (and demonstrate) you respect them as a person. Show them the Scriptures, love and reapect them, and let the Holy Spirit open their minds to the truth -all this easier said then done.
mike wittmer on October 22, 2012 at 10:36 am
This is a great answer, Gene! The mantra today is “Don’t judge,” so it’s hard to let people know that we love and accept them even when we disagree about religion. They may not believe us, but we must insist that it’s true.
hendra on October 22, 2012 at 12:57 pm
I think it is interesting topic and tough topic to be discussed. Humanity and by the name of human rights we dont have any rights to tell others the right one. We cant please both human and God at the same time. But, just arguing which religion is better than the other, wouldn’t make them believe in Christ. To show love does matter. If i am asked why it is only Jesus can bring us to heaven, i think i would simply say because He is the owner 🙂
yemiks1 on October 22, 2012 at 5:03 pm
We should never deceive a friend to give him a fake love. Let’s discuss about the words of Christ which says, give to Ceasar what is meant for Ceasar and to God what’s to God. backing up with the verse Amos 3:3 agreeing with them is denying our God.
tom felten on October 23, 2012 at 10:13 am
Great verse, yemiks1. You’re right, we will be influenced by those we choose to walk with or as Paul says “team up” with in life: “Don’t team up with those who are unbelievers. How can righteousness be a partner with wickedness? How can light flive with darkness?” (2 Corinthians 6:14).
winn collier on October 25, 2012 at 1:29 pm
the unique way of Jesus will bend to no one. yet, as C.S. Lewis reminded us, this does not mean that everything another religion teaches is false. I think how we engage other religions (and live well with our neighbors who follow other religions) is an area for much discernment as well as humility.
belleu on October 27, 2012 at 10:16 pm
I agree everyone is saved by and through Jesus, but I also think people who are born in the Middle East or India etc. and have been taught a different religion all their life can still be saved by Jesus without knowing it is Him doing it.
John 1:9 says God gives light to every man and I take that to mean a conscience and the Holy Spirit convicting that person.
I once read of a Chinese gentleman whose father told him there was more truth than what they knew and to keep himself ready and open for it. Years later, after the father had died, his son heard about Christ and accepted Him. Surely the father will also be saved and was converted by the Holy Spirit even though he had never heard of Christ.