Utilizing a mobile phone application to get directions always results in a few options for reaching your destination. Unfortunately many people also believe that there are several equally valid pathways to God.
Christianity clashes with this conventional wisdom. People criticize Christianity’s claim of exclusivity because it denies the validity of other faith systems and declares that turning from our wickedness and trusting in Christ is the only means of salvation.
Jesus Himself is responsible for His follower’s insistence on this position. He said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me.” (John 14:6)
Christians don’t believe blindly, but consider Christ’s words and works recorded by eye witnesses as solid footing for our faith. Our conviction compels us to share with clarity what the Bible states without apology.
Human beings are naturally rebellious against God (Romans 3:9ff), justly deserving of His punishment (Romans 6:23), unable to avoid God’s judgment on our own (Ephesians 2:1,3), and can be delivered from the power and penalty of our wicked will, words, and works only through faith in Jesus Christ. “He who believes in the Son has eternal life; but he who does not believe the Son will not see Life, but the wrath of God abides on Him.” (John 3:36)
Christians never demand that others trust in Christ, but we sincerely desire for everyone to know the pardon, peace, purpose, perspective, and permanent life we experience from doing so.
My present urgency in proclaiming these truths stems from the recent death of someone I knew who resisted them. The sadness of watching someone we know personally reject the only thing we’re convinced will bring them eternal victory compels Christ followers to lovingly confront (not cajole or coerce) the living with the good news of salvation because we don’t want them to suffer eternal condemnation (John 3:16).
Nobody naturally takes kindly to the exposure of their moral shortcomings (John 3:19), but unless we recognize our depravity, realize our inability to gain God’s favor, and understand the inevitability of the eternal tragedy awaiting us, we won’t see our need for being delivered.
Our rebellion rightly receives God’s righteous wrath, but rescue is possible only through faith in Christ. “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved…” (Acts 16:31)
We either accept or reject faith in Christ as the only way to personal salvation and spiritual transformation. Christians urge acceptance because we are convinced this message is true.
We believe that “whoever will call upon the name of the Lord will be saved” (Romans 10:13) and invite you to do so today.