Jesus said: “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6).

Here in the modern west, a new set of cultural values are emerging, both positive and negative. Let me highlight two of the negative.

If someone says you are being “exclusive” or “judgmental” (regardless of whether or not you actually are) you are instantly the bad guy. Because of that, any statement which sounds as if Jesus is the only way to God, comes across as negative to a lot of people.

I want to acknowledge that some people use verses like this to lord it over others and to assume a posture of arrogance. That’s a mistake. We should always act with humility and love. 

Today, my point is this. We want to know what is true, not just what we want to be true. 

If it is true that God exists (and it is), and if it is true that God determines reality (which he does), and if it is true that he has revealed his will in the Bible (which he has), and if it is true that humans are fallen and separated from God (which they are), and if it is true that he loves us and wants to reconcile us with himself through Christ (which he does), then shouldn’t we try to align our lives with reality?

Let’s say you’re sick. The cure is a blue pill. It looks like a Tic Tac, but it isn’t. The pill with the cure has certain chemical properties. The Tic Tac doesn’t. The doctor knows which is which and tells you because he wants you to be healed.

God is our great Physician. As the royal healer of souls he knows what is really going on. He comes to us personally in Christ to teach us, to love us, and to re-unite us with himself.

Jesus’ words are not exclusive and judgmental. Since they are true, they are both clarifying and compassionate.

Let’s be thankful, humble, confident, and a blessing to all the other people to whom God is reaching for in Christ.

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Notes

–“Exclusive Inclusion: Is Jesus the only Way?” New sermon. December 11, 2022. Click here. You can also find it on ‘The Pulse Podcast with Matthew Ruttan’ (published on December 12, 2022).

–Bible quotes are from the NIV.