Is Jesus the the only way?

[Mel Lawrenz is Teaching Pastor for Elmbrook Church. His newest book is a devotional for kids, Christmas Joy for Kids.]

What about the issue of whether Jesus is the only way to God? This is a point of agitated conflict between Christians and non-Christians. Some would say that it is pure arrogance to say that Jesus is the only way to God. Others would say it just sounds confusing, because it would seem only fair to say that there are many different ways to God.

It should be pointed out first of all that most religions are exclusive in their claims. What troubles me about these debates is that the premises are very often misunderstood. As a Christian I believe that Jesus is the way to God. And when you say that, yes, you are saying something exclusive–but not excluding. There is a huge difference.

Christians do not say that Jesus is the way to God for the purpose of being exclusive, and certainly not excluding.  Any time a Christian has an attitude that wants to exclude, he or she is violating the very spirit of the message of Christ.

It’s no wonder the rhetoric of Christian believers sometimes sounds strange. It sounds like someone saying: “I am in a privileged position. I take pride in drawing a boundary between you and me. My belief is dependent upon the your exclusion. I am against you.” 

When someone says to me, “do you really believe that Jesus is the only way to God?,” my response is something like this: I do believe that Jesus is the way to God. I believe that Jesus did something utterly unique in the human race and for the human race. He died a death that was not merely martyrdom, but atonement, the payment for the penalty of my sin. No one else has ever claimed to do that. The reason why the value of his death rises so far beyond martyrdom, is because of who he is. I believe that Jesus is the Son of God, co-creator of the world with God the Father, and that he existed before he came into the world in the family of a carpenter two thousand years ago. I believe that only human beings should have solved the problem of their guilt, but only God could. That explains why the Son of God became a real person. Only God could provide the forgiving grace, and only God can change me from the inside out. Therefore I believe that Jesus is, as he himself said, the way to God. And because what he did was so completely unique in all of human history, yes, he is the only way to God. I don’t believe this in order to exclude anybody, but because my heart and mind have been taken captive by the love and power of God shown so convincingly in Christ’s great work of rescue. And I’m thrilled that Jesus himself extended his mercy and truth to anybody and everybody in the world.

Let’s use a comparison here. Imagine you’re at work in the your office in a modern skyscraper. Suddenly the building is filled with smoke from a fire in some unseen part of the building. Though you thought you knew this building well, in the dense smoke you are disoriented, and you wander about for an exit, bumping into furniture and walls. Suddenly a figure emerges from the smoke wearing heavy dark clothing with fluorescent yellow stripes. By the boots and helmet and that tank on his back you recognize that it is a fireman. With an ax in one hand and a flashlight beaming from his helmet he holds out his hand to you and shouts “let me get you out of here!” Now at that moment the most important reality of your life is that your rescuer has come. Because of who he is and what he is able to do he knows far better than you how to get out of that building. You do not stand there and debate whether there are other ways out. You just follow him. You follow as closely as you can, not letting those florescent yellow stripes out of your sight for a moment. And he does get you out. 

Christians believe that Jesus Christ is, as he called himself, “the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world” (which is another way of saying that he made it possible for us to be truly and fully forgiven). He is not a lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world, he is not one of the lambs of God who takes away the sins of the world, he is theLamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. The Bible says that God designed this rescue plan long before we were even born or had our first major failure in life. And it is up to us whether we look at God and say, “thank you, I believe,” or say “I dare not believe that absolutely because it may appear that I am saying that somebody else is wrong.” 

This is not a philosophical debate over who can say they’re right and who can say they’re wrong. It is about rescue. The world is burning. We are all living in this world. There are some days that are bright and clear, and other days when we feel like we’re groping our way through smoke-filled hallways. 

What did Jesus mean when he said “I am the way”? Isn’t it simply this? “Follow me and you will be safe. Follow me and you will be healthy. Follow me and you will find God and you will find yourself, the true self God designed you to be.”

____________

Brand new… Christmas Joy for Kids: A Devotional.

11 thoughts on “Is Jesus the the only way?”

  1. After saying, “I am the way, the truth and the life,” Jesus on to say, “No one comes to the Father but by me.” This seems to me to be both exclusive and excluding. Not a reason for arrogance and entitlement on the part of a Christ follower, but a statement of the truth from Him who is the Truth.”

    1. I have used these words of Jesus in talking with a co-worker. He used the argument if I can use that word that there are many ways to God. I gave him those words and it made him think because he did not reply.

  2. I know you will not like this but truth is what it is.

    Elmbrook Church is an old age home that I attend on Saturday night with my dear wife of forty years however, I believe the spirit will revive us as in lets give our money to this Church as boomers to fund the gospel going forward.

    Like buying coffee in the coffee shop or sending a direct donation to the Church via the internet in its various forms.

    I simply love Elembrook Church as I met that one I dearly love there at a Bible Study called forever family.

    As that Family is really forever.

    Just an opinion

    Much love as always

  3. Changed from the inside out

    as is this not

    what the Gospel is all about

    correct me if I am wrong

    the spirit within

    leading without

    Gospel I see

    much love as always

  4. ” I believe that only human beings should have solved the problem of their guilt, but only God could. That explains why the Son of God became a real person. Only God could provide the forgiving grace, and only God can change me from the inside out. ”

    Changed on the inside as those followers of him will change things

    if things within are changed than things without don’t matter

    Gospel I see

  5. Peace, Love, Joy and Hope as the Gospel was preached at Elmbrook Church tonight!

    My significant other instructed me to tell you how brilliant your sermon was tonight as we give online as she was so moved to only have one single dollar in her purse to put into the plate as I reminded her on the ride home that the plate is obsolete.

    As she was moved to put that dollar upon that plate I saw the spirit in action as love is demonstrated with action that follows love like he demonstrated upon that cross.

    And to your work at Elmbrook Church? Why you are at the very top of your game and well done.

    We pray for his Church and the leaders of Elmbrook daily and especially for you.

    I have absolutely no worries about this Church.

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