Is Jesus the only way to God?

Its been way too long since I have blogged. So, without further ado...

How can you say there is only one way to God?

What about other religions?

To begin, it will be important for us to understand these questions, who is asking them and possibly find the motivation for them.

Do Christians ask these questions? Yes. Most commonly questions like these come from those who are a part of, or influenced by the ecumenical movement. It seems that the ecumenical movement is a voice that speaks from a western Christian perspective to describe the Christian belief system as a way to filter truth about God. Normally they say truth can come from our tradition, or another totally different religious tradition. Meaning that God saves people in mysterious ways and we ought not to limit Him by saying that others cannot be saved in their religion.

Do atheists ask these questions? Yes. The following quotation is taken from an online forum, which posts essays that promote religious tolerance.

“It would be rather nice if we lived in a world where everyone’s beliefs came true for them. The Christians would go to heaven, the Muslims to paradise, the Buddhists and Hindus would achieve nirvana, and the atheists would have a peaceful rest. Unfortunately, that’s all wishful thinking. We don’t know what’s true or not…so we might as well acknowledge the differences and various validities of all paths to a higher being, whomever you believe him, her, or them to be. Even if you, like me, don’t acknowledge a higher being at all.”

http://www.religioustolerance.org/li_01.htm

This essayist is making the point that it would be pleasant if everyone could be right about what they believe. Based on the assumption that the truth is unknown she thinks that we should just find what is GOOD about each faith tradition and affirm those things.

Do people who belong to other religions ask these questions? That depends. Like our Christian religion there are many who associate with Islam who have varying levels of commitment, and only hold to part of the belief structure. There are obviously also those who see their religious beliefs as being the only possible expression of truth. So, there is a whole range of opinions on what truth is available in other religious traditions. Take Hinduism for example. This religion is very open and accepting of all kinds of expressions of reality. Maybe this can be best described by a quote that is attributed to Hinduism; "Truth is one; sages call it by different names." Its quite possible that many who espouse to be Hindu, think that any spiritual journey will result in the same end.

Why do people of varied and diverse thinking and tradition ask these kinds of questions? Do some not recognize the incongruent nature of it. Possibly, but many more attempt to syncretize differing religions on the basis of moral value (syncretization is the technical name for this). If Islam and Christianity both teach that it is wrong to steal, then couldn't they be talking about the same god? This is the most common scenario, people often don't measure apples to apples. In the case of finding the truth about faith, that tends to look like moral comparison, rather than considering absolute truth claims, such as details about what actually happened in history. And the effects or meaning of those events.

The following song exemplifies the common ideal, blending all of religion into one great peaceful existence.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WB0vN1qGKCU

Imagine there's no heaven,

its easy if you try.

No hell below us,

above us only sky.

Imagine all the people,

living for today.

Imagine there's no countries,

it isn't hard to do.

Nothing to kill or die for,

and no religion too.

Imagine all the people

living life in peace.

You may say I'm a dreamer,

but I'm not the only one.

I hope someday you'll join us

and the world will live as one.

“And they sang a new song, saying, 'Worthy are you to take the scroll and to open its seals, for you were slain, and by your blood you ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation,” (Revelation 5:9)

This scripture is just chalk full of powerful truth. I would like to take the next few minutes to try and break it down and pull out many of the pieces, look at them, and then put them back together in such a way that we can have a great confidence in making the statement. Jesus is the only way to God.

Before I jump right into explaining this passage, it is important to briefly describe the greater context. The book of Revelation is written by the aging companion of Jesus, the apostle John. Probably around AD 95, shortly before his death. In this book is described the fulfillment of all things. As Craig aptly described last week this is the final stage of history to usher in eternity future. Officially as a church we believe most of this book tells of events that are still going to occur. So, I will be treating it as though that is the case. I am taking the position that through a vision John saw into the future to observe these events and received from God just the right amount of interpretation concerning what he saw. Given that, we can press the text, to understand its meaning and I trust, its application for our lives.

Let's begin by asking; What is the worthiness attached with opening the seals of the scroll? Earlier in the chapter (verses 2 and 3) there is an angel calling for someone to open the seals, and it tells us that “no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth was able”. John, the apostle, begins to weep because “no one was found worthy”. This is not uncommon language in both old and new testaments the problem of universal unrighteousness is expressed. Righteousness could be described in a Biblical sense as the state of meeting God's moral expectations. For instance, in Romans chapter 3, the apostle quotes the Psalms and declares, “None is righteous, no, not one”. What this means is that in all humanity there is no one who measures up, who by their own efforts or nature is right before God. In our text we see, at first, an unsuccessful attempt made to find someone to meet these qualifications. However, eventually one called “the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David” does appear. These are both powerful and glorious titles for Jesus. They project an understanding of his role as the prophesied heir of Abraham, the victorious king of God's people, the one and only messiah the Jewish people had waited for and sadly, the one whom many are still waiting for. Jesus has met God's qualifications. He is the one about whom God said, “This is my son, in whom I am well pleased”. The miracle of his resurrection from the dead testifies to his purity, because death had no power over him.

Considering that this is occurring in the future from now, it seems reasonable to investigate what might be happening. I could imagine that we might look at this account and ask why were they looking for Jesus? Wasn't he already there in heaven at the time this is taking place? Yes, I think that Scripture says elsewhere he is undoubtedly in heaven at the Father's right hand and still will be there when its time to open that scroll. So, its unreasonable to think they lost Jesus or didn't really know if he would be able to open the seals. I think that as we begin to question what the seals represent we might find good reason to think that the search for someone worthy was yet another example of God's fairness and justice. So,what do the seals represent? Chapter 6 describes six of the seven seals being opened and a quick glance will give us riders who conquer, war, judge and kill. And then a devastating earthquake. The only explanation, if we read this as literally as the text will allow us, is God is judging and unleashing some of “the wrath that is to come”. That is why there will be a search for someone who is worthy. It is a judicial and gracious act of God. One last opportunity to give God's critics a chance to offer some defence, some other saviour besides his precious Son whom he had given. None was found.

There is an added meaning to this thought of Jesus' great worth and and adequacy in passing judgement, in this verse. It also tells us that because he was slain he was worthy. And in his being slain, his blood was the payment to buy people into God's kingdom. You see there is a cost to be ransomed or redeemed. This word ransomed in the original language connotes a transaction at market in which a wealthy person would buy a slave. This describes an act of God that only he is capable of performing. God made a covenant, or unbreakable agreement, with his people that he would bless them if they obeyed. And every human has defied God's laws. No one has been able to please God by doing what he required of us. It is entirely reasonable for the creator to determine what is expected of the creature.

Do you feel the mounting pressure? No matter an individuals religious performance, philosophy of existence or rejection of anything outside the material world we all will be measured against a standard that we cannot meet. Covenants require that when they are broken, death is the punishment.

Although, that might sound pretty dismal, there is good news in all of this. From the beginning of human history God has shown a picture of a substitute being provided so that he could forgive the wrongs of people who come to him in faith. Adam and Eve were covered by the skin of animals, extra animals for sacrifice after the flood were provided for the preservation of Noah, at the point of no return God gave Abraham a ram to kill instead of his son, and the people of God in Egypt had their children spared by the death of a lamb. In each and every case whenever someone comes to God in surrender and hope for mercy, recognizing his or her failure and sinfulness God lovingly accepts that person. As it says elsewhere in the New Testament,

“He [God] has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.” (Col 1:13,14).

Today might be that day for you. If you feel a tug on your heart. If you are tired of the heaviness of trying to be righteous on your own. If you've always known that there's something more. Just give yourself to him. He wants you.

Now for you who have already come to know Christ, what are you seeing and feeling in light of our time together this morning? I would think that you are filled with hope because God is busy working to increase the number of his people. And I trust, that as you reflect on the good news of forgiveness from your sins you are moved to share this joy. And as this verse tells us those who will become the people of God are going to leave their tribe and join God's, start to speak a new language that praises God, become a part of a new people that is distinguishable by their love and God glorifying behaviour, and have their citizenship moved into a new nation ruled by King Jesus. These are the Christians.

How do we reach the lost?

Pray – By name for those that you know are seeking and generally.

“Finally, brothers, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may speed ahead and be honored, as happened among you,” (2 Thessalonians 3:1)

“therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out labourers into his harvest.” (Matthew 9:38)

Send – Missions giving, short-term and long-term sponsorship. Christian Salvage Mission.

“How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? And how are they to preach unless they are sent?” (Romans 10:14,15)

Speak – Evangelize those you already know. Get equipped. Recite the Gospel to yourself.