The second modern confession we run into in our churches today is this:
“Jesus was great…but so are these other guys.”
This individuals believes that there are many paths to find God, Jesus Christ among them. Of course it is easy to spot this confession when the individual is not all that interested in Christianity. But it is difficult to deduce this belief from someone who sits in a Christian church each week and is part of the regular activities that church affords them. Again, this individual is not someone hell bent on destroying the church and seeing the doors locked up for good, they are simply confessing something different than what Jesus did. They believe that while Jesus can lead people to God, he doesn’t hold a corner on the market. This individual believes that other faiths can also lead an individual into relationship with God.
The problem here is that once again this individuals confession does not match what Christ said. Jesus claimed to be the only way by which man could have relationship with God (John 14:6). To say otherwise cheapens the sacrifice of Christ on the cross. It makes the resurrection of Jesus Christ essential only for some while others can skirt around his resurrection by other means. This, of course, when we are honest with ourselves goes against Christ, and is anti-Christ. And when we see this belief for what it truly is we once again come face to face with an ancient problem….not letting Christ be Lord, the one and only way for relationship with God.
Community Questions:
Is it exclusive for the Christian to claim that Jesus Christ is the only way to have relationship with God?
If there are some in our churches who believe this without knowing it, how can we help people discover what they truly believe?
Comment from facebook:
“To say otherwise cheapens the sacrifice of Christ on the cross” is an accusation that cannot be used to conclude that a person is against Christ. A person looking into other religions is WANTING to learn more about spirituality and is by no means demeaning one religion over another. This is actually a healthy thing for someone to do (seeing that … See Morewe humans are curious creatures) and should not be looked down on if that someone is not following the same spiritual paths that you might believe in. Also, i do not agree with the wording of the second community question: by “helping” people discover what they truly believe, we are sharing with them our own beliefs (which is fine…knowledge is power)…however…to share our beliefs is a bias because the person we’re helping is only seeing one part of the picture…through your eyes…and not through their own. To discover what one truly believes, one must make that discovery on their own
Hey Amber,
You make some interesting points and I do want to respond.
I would agree with what you said in respect to someone who is searching for the truth. But in respect to the original passage of scripture being discussed (1 John 2) the main audience being addressed are those who are no longer searching and have made up their minds.In this case, it is impossible for one to say that they have relationship with God and not with Jesus without cheapening what Jesus did on the cross. Because when they say they do it makes Christ’s sacrifice on the cross non-essential. Of course, a non-Christian may disagree with the particulars of this point because they themselves don’t see a need for Christ, but it is hard to argue that this ideas a flawed or invalid logic.
To your issue on the second community question I think you actually gave a great answer in your first comment. In the case of one who does not necessarily know what they believe a genuine search of world religions is a great idea. When one begins to journey through several religions they can understand where these religions differ and seek God in the process. As a Christian I believe that a genuine search for God in world religions would lead a person to Jesus Christ because I believe He is the only way to find God. Of course you may rightfully choose to disagree.
Thanks for you comments, they are appreciated.
There is a big difference in one who is searching and one who has settled. I am specifically referring to one who has settled the issue in their mind. One who firmly believes that others can find relationship with God apart from Jesus Christ. This belief specifically goes against what the Bible states.