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Is
Jesus Exclusive?
By
John
Wagner
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| Some
people consider Him one of the prophets; some a great teacher. Some people
describe Him using the terms 'messiah' or 'savior'. The most important
question however, is, who do YOU
think Jesus is? The answer is an intensely personal one; and one which
no one can answer for you. But while the answer is intensely personal,
it cannot be private. Your answer will ultimately determine your eternal
destiny! |
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Many
writers label the time in which we live as 'postmodern' and describe certain
characteristics which they say make this time unlike any other in history.
When discussing religion, two terms are used to describe this time period:
'pluralistic' and 'diverse'. To be 'politically correct' today the philosophies
identified by these terms must be embraced. Briefly, these philosophies
include the idea that every religion is of equal value and no one has the
right to tell anyone else that they are wrong in anything they believe.
Postmodernism says 'truth' is whatever a person determines it is for themselves.
The embracing of these views become evident when people ask the questions: |
What
difference does it make what religion we belong to?
We
all worship the same god anyway, don't we? |
| The
answer to those questions: "No, we don't worship the same god; and yes
it does make a difference what religion we belong to" is found in the Bible,
when Jesus sets Himself apart as exclusive and without equal; not as one
among many. In John 14:6 He said, "I am the
way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through
me." He did not say 'I am one of the
ways;' He said He was THE way! |
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| In
Acts 4 the disciples were prohibited, by the Jewish religious leaders,
from preaching about Jesus. They responded to the prohibition, in verse
twelve, by saying: "Salvation is found in
no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which
we must be saved." The disciples believed
that to withold Jesus was to withold salvation; without Jesus people were
lost; without hope and without God. |
| The
Bible presents Jesus as God;
as the Creator;
as the only Savior
of the world; and as Lord.
He described Himself as the Way,
the Truth,
and the Life.
Whatever you think of Jesus, it is essential to come to grips with these
exclusive claims. You must answer the question in your heart: "Who is Jesus?" |
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