The Public Lives of Successful Christians
Deliberately Choosing the Narrow Way
“Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide
and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are
many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those
who find it are few.” -Matthew 7:13,14 esv
We live in a society that has be
come pluralistic, believing that all religions are equal in their
ability to take people to God. Many believe religions are “like the spokes of a
wheel with God at the center.” While this theory makes for a good story it has
one major problem when viewed from a Christian perspective; it contradicts the
Bible.
Definition: Pluralism- “...the theory
that many religion, with their different and even inter-religiously
contradictory concepts and practices, can be appropriate or even equally true
or adequate modes of expressing our experiences of God, That is the notion that
there is no single true religion or no religion that is truer that or morally
preferable to any other religion.”[1]
The exclusive nature of salvation is a direct teaching of Jesus. We find this same teaching in the following
passages:
1.
John 14:6 Jesus
refers to himself as “the way the truth and the life”
2.
Acts 4:10-12
the name of “Jesus of
Nazareth” is exclusive for salvation.
3.
Hebrews 2:3 rules
out the possibility of any other escape.
4.
Hebrews 6:4-8 reveals
the hopelessness of the apostate.
5.
Luke 13:23-30 Jesus
answers in the affirmative when asked if only a few will be saved.
Religion is not Salvation
Many people want a religious experience so that they may, in some way,
know God, but salvation is through a “narrow gate”. It allows no baggage. If we
are to be saved, we stand bare before an all knowing God. Possessions,
positions, and all of our self worth become irrelevant. We stand before Him a
sinner, condemned and helpless. We plead for clemency on the basis of his mercy
through the sacrificial death of his Son Jesus Christ.
We cannot buy our
salvation, for we are too poor. We cannot demand it, for we are too weak. We
cannot scheme out way to eternal life because we are too simple. The only option
other than a road to hell. That is the option provide by God, salvation through
Jesus.[2]
One Life
There is a point in a person's existence at which salvation is no
longer an option. Death is the gate keeper of eternity.[3]
The fate of your soul is sealed at death.[4]
The Big Surprise
Being religious is not the same thing as being saved. Hell will be
filled with religious unsaved people. Ceremony and knowledge are not the
evidence of salvation. Obedience is.
And someone
said to him, "Lord, will those who are saved be few?" And he said to
them, "Strive to enter through the
narrow door. For many, I tell you, will seek to enter and will not be able.
When once the master of the house has risen and shut the door, and you begin to
stand outside and to knock at the door, saying, 'Lord, open to us,' then he
will answer you, 'I do not know where you come from.' Then you will begin to say, 'We ate and drank
in your presence, and you taught in our streets.' But he will say, 'I tell you, I do not know
where you come from. Depart from me, all you workers of evil!' In that place there will be weeping and
gnashing of teeth, when you see Abraham and Isaac and Jacob and all the prophets
in the kingdom of God but you yourselves cast out. And people will come from east and west, and
from north and south, and recline at table in the kingdom of God. [Luk 13:23-29
ESV]
One of the most awful parts of hell will be that its residents are
aware of the happiness being experienced by those who are saved.[5]
The exclusiveness of salvation is not one of nationality or ethnicity.
It is one of faith. The redeemed are from every nationality.[6]
Conclusion
The exclusive nature of salvation leads to sobering conclusions.
1.
The love of God is manifest through Jesus Christ
as the only means of salvation.
2.
My Savior is a unique and wonderful Person, to be
loved above all others.
3.
The destination of all the unsaved, whether
religious or not, is eternal damnation.
4.
The unsaved can only be saved if they hear the
gospel. (Romans 10:14,15).
5.
Knowing all of this, I have an obligation to give
the gospel to those around me. (2 Corinthians 5:11).
