The Non- Exclusivity of Jesus!
Many a person struggles with the claim that Jesus is the only path to salvation. Thus, they stumble over Jesus and say- ” I can’t believe in a God who is so exclusive!”
Let’s apply this thinking to math. 2+2 = 4. This is true. But what if, when a math teacher is grading test papers, he decides to grade on a curve. Anyone who was close to the correct answer was given a “correct” response from the teacher.
Of course this would not be fair to those who got the answer right. And I’m sure that it would cause many correct answerers to protest.
But, I believe, those harmed most by the teachers stance would be those who answered incorrectly but received a correct response. For they will go through life living a lie.
Scripture says – Proverbs 14:12
12 There is a way that seems right to a person, but eventually it ends in death.
I’m sure all of us have made choices that have proved to be wrong. Like taking a wrong turn in the woods and ending up far off course from your desired destination.
If we apply this “no wrong answer” thinking to anything, it will end in chaos!
So, why would so many think that this line of thinking would work regarding a matter so important as ones soul?
I believe it is a matter of the heart!
Here are a few verses to support my claim.
Proverbs 23:7
7 For as he thinks within himself, so he is.
Proverbs 19:3
3 The foolishness of man ruins his way, And his heart rages against the Lord.
1 Corinthians 1:18
Christ the Power and the Wisdom of God
18 For the message about Christ’s death on the cross is nonsense to those who are being lost; but for us who are being saved it is God’s power.
1 Corinthians 1:25
25 For what seems to be God’s foolishness is wiser than human wisdom, and what seems to be God’s weakness is stronger than human strength.
And here is Gods response to our “heart problem”.
Ezekiel 36:26-27
26 And I will give you a new heart, and I will put a new spirit in you. I will take out your stony, stubborn heart and give you a tender, responsive heart. 27 And I will put my Spirit in you so that you will follow my decrees and be careful to obey my regulations.
John 3:16
16 For God loved the world so much that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not die but have eternal life.
So loved the World!! World seems to imply All, does it not?!
In closing- it is not God who is being exclusive. His offer is to All who will believe and receive…… All!
Ephesians 2:8-9
For it is by God’s grace that you have been saved through faith. It is not the result of your own efforts, but God’s gift, so that no one can boast about it.
Romans 10:9
9 Because if you acknowledge and confess with your lips that Jesus is Lord and in your heart believe (adhere to, trust in, and rely on the truth) that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.
