The Way, the Truth, and the Life

Religion will let you down. Often, it seems like those who have nothing to do with God live the good life. They're having fun, they're advancing, they have everything going right for them. So many walk away from religion and find out they're really good at being worldly. They get enslaved to it. We think Heaven is nothing more than a club that we have to have our name on a list to get into. If it's not there, there's a floor opening, and they go to Hell.

Do you believe Hell is real? Do you care that people are going to end up there? John 10:9 says that Jesus is the gate, and only through Him will you be saved.

We understand exclusivity. We understand membership. We understand someone getting in means someone else is not.

Do all roads really lead to God? Do all religions come from Him? 70% of Americans believe this, including Christians. So, is Jesus the only way?

Read John 14. Jesus tells His disciples he is going to leave. This feels like weird language, but in Jewish culture, a young man would leave his father's house, go to a foreign land, and get engaged, but he would leave and go back to his father's house to prepare a room for them to live in. At a day and hour, she did not know, he would return to take her back to be his wife. This is the language Jesus is using. They want to go with Him, but He tenderly tells them they can't come. They asked how they know where He was going. He answered, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Him." (verse 6).

He is the way. He is how to get to Heaven. We have to die to the idea that we will do something great that will leave a mark on the world for ourselves. What did your great, great grandfather do? You may not even know his name, yet he was alive 50 years ago. What does that mean for 50 years from now? No one is going to be thinking about anything you have done. So, we need to figure this "way" out.

Jesus is the only way to God. To say that all religions actually teach the same thing is a statement of ignorance. All that means is someone hasn't looked at any world religions. Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, and Judaism all teach that their way is the exclusive what to salvation. They all contradict each other. And while Christianity is exclusive, it's the most inclusive of all the world religions. Jesus died on the Cross for ANYONE who would believe in Him so that He could give them eternal life. He does not desire for anything to perish. Jesus gave us proof of His love for us by giving His life so we could live with Him forever. So, telling someone all roads lead to Heaven isn't loving because it's not true.

It would be like someone telling you any airport gate could get you home. That's not a loving thing to say because it's not true. At the same time, if someone told you which specific gate takes you home, you wouldn't fight them about it and tell them they are narrow-minded. It's loving to tell the truth. The truth is Jesus is the only way to Heaven.

He is the truth. Jesus is historically true, but Jesus isn't claiming that; he's claiming that He is truth. Something can be truth whether or not you act like it or feel like it. Just because it doesn't feel right doesn't mean it's not true. No matter what you feel doesn't change what truth is. Are you on a truth journey or a happiness journey? You'll believe a lie as long as it makes you happy and lets you do what you want. Truth is still the truth when it compromises your deepest desires. The most loving thing you can do is tell someone that their truth is a lie and it's going to cost them. The truth is that we were created by Jesus for Jesus. See Colossians 1:16. This includes your atheist friend who says they want freedom. The truth will set them free. See John 8:32.

There are absolute truths we have no problem believing. If you stop eating, you starve. If you stop breathing, you die. No one tries to prove these wrong. What happens when you don't know Jesus; you don't have a way to God.

You were made to live in right relationship with Jesus. You can try to live your life without HIm, but it won't go well for you. Jesus is the source of all truth.

He is the life. He knows how it is lived best. In John 10:10, Jesus said He came so we could have life to the fullest. He offers us freedom through repentance. Sin isn't just a bad idea, fun that God is trying to keep you from; He's trying to show you where life is. The world was made for you to have a right relationship with Him, so you won't find life when you run from Him.

The opposition to this message will come from "new tolerance."

• Old tolerance: I have to be ok that you and I disagree. I can tolerate that you have a different opinion than me.
• New tolerance: I have to believe that what you say is right, even if it's contrary to my beliefs and my convictions.

So, if you believe you can fly, I have to say you're right; that's "your truth." That is inconsistent with the word and will of God. That will not lead to life.

Acts 4:10-12 is how you talk when you understand that Jesus is the way, truth, and life. You might be killed for it, but you'll never stop saying it. There's no other way. Jesus had to die; we couldn't just follow the rules or be good; He had to give His life to give us ours.

Are you 100% in on talking to everyone about Jesus? You have freedom from fear of man, so go tell! If you believe it, how do you not tell everyone?