"Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me" (John 14:6).
Yesterday we affirmed that all men stand guilty before God because they have transgressed His law. Once people admit to this guilt, they often question why Christ is the only way to God. They reason that if all men are condemned, it is only fair that God provide many ways of salvation. The unregenerate mind finds it impossible to grasp the exclusiveness of Christianity and so rejects it as intolerable. We especially find this attitude in America, where religious toleration under the law is held in the highest esteem. But it must be remembered that equal toleration under the law does not mean equal truth value of all religions.
The exclusiveness of Christianity goes against confessional pluralism. To say there is only one way, that there is only one truth, flies in the face of anyone who believes all religions are essentially the same. Unfortunately, people who claim that all religions are basically the same reveal their ignorance of religions’ claims. While most of the religions of the world (except Christianity) have two basic underlying themes—the universal fatherhood of God and the universal brotherhood of man—every religion is radically different in its beliefs and ethics.
Because all religions are not the same, the way to God becomes a search for truth. Which religion is true? When considering Christianity, we must deal with the claims of Christ Himself. He declared that He is the only way. Those who say all religions are equally valid must face this momentous claim of Christ. If Christianity is valid, then what Christ says is true. Therefore, Christ must be the only way and Christianity the only true religion.
Christ’s declaration of being the only way must be considered seriously. Who else has God attested by resurrection? Buddha is dead. Mohammed is dead. But Jesus Christ is alive. Only Christianity deals with man’s guilt through an atonement. Only Christianity has a Savior who is sinless. This point is unique to Christianity. Christ is a worthy sacrifice because He is perfect and righteous—no other person can make that claim. Jesus Christ is the only one who qualifies as a Redeemer. He is the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Him.
Make a list of religions and cults. How do they differ from one another and from Christianity? List points that are unique to Christianity. Why are people naturally attracted to these other religions, or pluralism in general? How would you explain to them the truth of Christianity?
