This week’s devotions are based on the Week 4 “Explore God” – Is Christianity too narrow? (WATCH HERE)
Why is it challenging to accept one way to heaven?
If you are a Christian, perhaps you find it hard to understand why someone would find it challenging to accept that Jesus is the ONLY way to heaven.
But for many others this premise is challenging to swallow and even for some Christians it is hard to stand with confidence that Jesus is the only way to heaven.
Why is that?
The reflections today are not meant to be an exhaustive list, but at least put some on the table.
First, it’s popular to be pluralistic. To be pluralistic is to be one that allows for many pathways to God that are equally valid and equally saving. This line of thinking has been around for centuries, but in more recent history there has been an adversity to making someone to be or to feel wrong. If there is only one way, that means the other ways are invalid and false. Who wants to tell people they are wrong? Actually the wrong person in today’s culture is the one who tells someone else they are wrong! Truth has become relative and so has people’s belief in God.
Second, to speak with conviction that Jesus is the only way to heaven can seem arrogant and judgmental. “Who are you to claim you have all the right answers?” “Well, that’s pretty judgmental to say you are the only right way.” No one likes to be called arrogant or judgmental (even though labeling someone as judgmental seems judgmental in and of itself!). But most people don’t want to be labeled this way because culture today doesn’t celebrate right over wrong, it celebrates tolerant over intolerant.
Third, to acknowledge Jesus is the way to heaven would mean one would have to submit to the ways of Jesus. Satan’s original temptation to “be like God” is still a very appealing temptation today. If I can dismiss any one God or allow that I can be God, this is much more comfortable as then I can determine for myself what is right or wrong and live according to my standards and simply define God by what works for me rather than by what he says is right.
The reality about these three reasons is they all appeal to human reason. It seems “accepting” and “loving” to allow anyone to believe what they want to believe. It seems sophisticated and wise to present one’s self as open minded to multiple valid pathways to God. It seems natural to want to be free from standards and be the one who defines what is real for us. Yet, while on a human plane it may make sense, the reality is the message of the cross and the exclusive nature of it are going to sound like foolishness to those who build their thought on human wisdom and philosophy. This is not new as the Apostle Paul wrote to those in Corinth in the first century:
1 Corinthians 1:18 For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. 19 For it is written:
“I will destroy the wisdom of the wise;
the intelligence of the intelligent I will frustrate.”[c]
20 Where is the wise person? Where is the teacher of the law? Where is the philosopher of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? 21 For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not know him, God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to save those who believe. 22 Jews demand signs and Greeks look for wisdom, 23 but we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, 24 but to those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. 25 For the foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than human strength.
To find resistance to Jesus’ claim of being the only way to heaven is a normal thing. Stand with conviction and don’t give in. The pathway to hell is paved with human philosophy. The pathway to heaven is paved by the wisdom of God and work of Christ.
Apply: What makes it challenging for you to stand with conviction that Jesus is the only way to heaven?
Prayer: Lord, continue to work in my a stronger conviction that Jesus is the way and a bolder courage to speak this truth in love to those who think otherwise. AMEN.