Exclusively Inclusive
Through the death and resurrection of Jesus, we now have a way to reconcile with God. Let’s discuss why this is the only way and why Jesus could proclaim He was the way, the life, and the truth. He was the only way to the Father. (see John 14:6)
John 10:17-18 NKJV
“Therefore My Father loves Me, because I lay down My life that I may take it again. No one takes it from Me, but I lay it down of Myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. The command I have received from My Father.”
Here Jesus is letting everyone know He will lay down His life and it won’t be taken from Him. He promises to come back because He has the power to lay it down and pick it up, as commanded by His Father. Most of this chapter is Jesus stating He is also the good shepherd and His sheep will know His voice. He knows His sheep and nothing can snatch them from His hand because the Father has given them to Him. He finishes by saying that He and His Father are one, which set the Jews to wanting to stone Him for claiming He is God.
Jesus went to the cross as it was foretold, and He rose again. Over five hundred people could attest to seeing him in the flesh after His death. He rose into heaven and is still alive. No other person has defied death by rising from it. He did this as the first, so that the rest, His sheep, could follow.
Paul talks about this in 1 Corinthians 15:12-19. If Christ is not risen from the dead, then our faith is futile. We are living a lie. I don’t know anyone that will continue holding onto a belief once they are convinced it is not the truth. We act on what we believe in. It would be silly to preach about the risen Jesus, if in fact it was proved He remained in the grave. It’s nigh on impossible for two people to keep a false story straight when separated for interrogations, but there are testimonies of over 500 people in the case of Jesus. They tried to refute those that believed, but that only emboldened them.
We all have a thing innately in us that wants to do things our way. Look at all the Do-It-Yourself out there. It was super popular in the 80s when I was a teenager. However, after a while, you get tired and frustrated. Even if you gain the American dream, something will be missing. It was for me. I reached the end of myself and threw my hands in the air. I could not trust another thing that even hinted that my power would solve the issue.
The risen Jesus changes everything when we get it. Like I said last week, I knew that I knew I had to accept Jesus and follow Him no matter where it led. He does not promise a rosy, peaceful life. He promised an abundant life that would be full. Full of His love, but also full of trials, tribulations, and persecutions. His sheep would be treated as He was.
Who in their right minds wants to step into life like that? There had to be a solid truth in the resurrection of Jesus and the promise that we would have eternal life in Him. This truth had to be strong enough that His followers would accept death in His name no matter what. There are so many martyrs over the past two thousand years to prove there is something in the name of Jesus.
So, yes, the way to heaven is exclusive indeed. It’s Jesus or nothing. However, it is very inclusive. Everyone has access to this one way set up by God through His Son, Jesus. Jesus took the punishment caused by man’s separation from God. God’s grace is free. We can step into life with Jesus by accepting Him. We will not have a tally of our bad versus our good once cleansed by the blood Jesus shed for us once and for all.
When this solidified for me back in February 2002, I answered the altar call and received an answer from Jesus, proving He had greater power than anything else I tried. I haven’t walked away since. It hasn’t been easy. I’ve made mistakes and had to repent. However, I’ve also had that abundant life. All the struggles have led to my ability to share about my faith in blogs, fiction stories, and in person. What I have learned, I can share in the hopes it saves others from doing the same mistakes, or keep them from repeating them. I have a few mountains with deep furrows for how many times I had to walk around them, but I’ve also made it to the top of some and could shout praises to the heavens. I do not understand it all and maybe I won’t this side of heaven. However, I’ll never get the answers if I give up. I have too many fulfilled promises to give up on those things I’m still waiting for. God is able, so anything is possible with Him.
I wouldn’t wait any longer to turn to Jesus and accept His way instead. You will be amazed how freeing it is, even with the trials.