The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, majestic, and full of splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him today and what came to my heart and mind in John 14:6,
"Jesus answered, 'I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.'"
Here is quite a statement of exclusivity Jesus told his disciples. In less than twenty words he refuted the validity of any of the world's religions and faith-systems. There is no other person, no other religion, no other religious leader, no other lifestyle, no other whatever other than himself that can provide for life after death. There is no access to heaven, no access to God (he is God, God the Son!), no access to eternal life except through Jesus Christ.
This is a very intolerant statement! No one may come to God except through Jesus Christ. God will simply not allow anyone access to him, into his realm, into his presence except through Jesus Christ. God will not tolerate anyone who does not embrace Jesus Christ in faith.
Even the saints who placed their faith in God before the Son came to his earthly ministry have their access to God through Jesus Christ. He is the only way, because he was the only one able to pay the penalty for their sins and ours and provide for a righteousness that can bring us into God's presence. The sacrifice Jesus made of himself expresses God's righteousness as he accepts sinners into his kingdom as well as providing us sinners our own righteousness before him - an imbued righteousness. "God presented Christ as a sacrifice of atonement, through the shedding of his blood—to be received by faith. He did this to demonstrate his righteousness, because in his forbearance he had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished— he did it to demonstrate his righteousness at the present time, so as to be just and the one who justifies those who have faith in Jesus." Romans 3:25-26.
"Jesus answered, 'I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.'"
Here is quite a statement of exclusivity Jesus told his disciples. In less than twenty words he refuted the validity of any of the world's religions and faith-systems. There is no other person, no other religion, no other religious leader, no other lifestyle, no other whatever other than himself that can provide for life after death. There is no access to heaven, no access to God (he is God, God the Son!), no access to eternal life except through Jesus Christ.
This is a very intolerant statement! No one may come to God except through Jesus Christ. God will simply not allow anyone access to him, into his realm, into his presence except through Jesus Christ. God will not tolerate anyone who does not embrace Jesus Christ in faith.
Even the saints who placed their faith in God before the Son came to his earthly ministry have their access to God through Jesus Christ. He is the only way, because he was the only one able to pay the penalty for their sins and ours and provide for a righteousness that can bring us into God's presence. The sacrifice Jesus made of himself expresses God's righteousness as he accepts sinners into his kingdom as well as providing us sinners our own righteousness before him - an imbued righteousness. "God presented Christ as a sacrifice of atonement, through the shedding of his blood—to be received by faith. He did this to demonstrate his righteousness, because in his forbearance he had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished— he did it to demonstrate his righteousness at the present time, so as to be just and the one who justifies those who have faith in Jesus." Romans 3:25-26.
Jesus Christ: "the way and the truth and the life."
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!
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Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!
If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just reply and let me know.
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