Exclusivity of the Christian Faith :: by Ron Graham

 

“But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost” (2 Corinthians 4:3).

Its fine to talk about Jesus in church, but whatever you do—don’t mention His name outside the confines of that church building.

The government of the United States of America along with some very satanic organizations such as the A.C.L.U. have given Christians a new commandment to top all of God’s commandments:

Stop promoting Jesus Christ in public, stop mentioning Jesus by name, and displaying your messages pertaining to Jesus Christ in any form outside of a church building.

“No more crosses on government run military cemeteries” say the A.C.L.U.

“Tear down every remaining vestige relating to Jesus Christ in the public square” is the cry of most of those followers of Satan.

“In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the

light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them”

(2 Corinthians 4:4).

That blindness is spreading far and wide.

The apostles Peter and John give us the appropriate response to these foolish lost souls

“But Peter and John answered and said unto them, Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge ye” (Acts 4:19).

Peter and John stood firm on their faith in Christ. More and more many of our elected officials here in the U.S. along with many secular organizations are aligning themselves with our enemy and are becoming quite extreme in their stance against the Church, even suggesting that homeschooling is a form a child abuse.

You see, if the government can’t have your children for 6 or 7 hours per day how then can they brainwash them? Clearly, before long, standing firm on the Christian faith will bring the wrath of our new socialist leaning government down upon us.

If the children in public schools mention the name Jesus Christ during class it will bring swift retribution. The ACLU sticks their dirty little noses into every classroom in the public school system. Oh, and yes, all the false religions are more than welcome in those same public schools.

For example, the religion of Islam is welcomed in our government run public schools and in many of those institutions it is encouraged, even promoted right along with secular humanism.

Those of us who belong to Jesus Christ are being forcefully mandated as to when and where  we may proclaim the message of Jesus Christ. The spiritually dead have spoken. They want nothing less than the total eradication of the Christian faith.

Why? Because of the exclusivity of the Christian faith. The Bible states emphatically there is no other way that one can be saved. No other way to the Father but by the Son. That’s too exclusive and the lost don’t like it.

Yes, Christianity is very exclusive. No other faith claims God died for His creation. Other faiths actually disparage Christians for believing such an outlandish concept. “God dying for humans, that’s utterly ridiculous.” They just can’t wrap their minds around the God of all creation dying. It’s not a concept that comes easy to anyone.

But it’s wholly and completely the truth and we as believers should never be ashamed to preach that truth.

“For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth;” (Romans 1:16).

Many of my professing brethren don’t agree with the exclusivity part of our faith. I’ve heard Christians actually embrace the fallacy that many paths lead to God. Jesus was quite open in His public statements about this very subject. At times He must have come across as rather arrogant to those unbelievers of His day.

Most of the Pharisees, scribes, and lawyers of Jesus’ day never believed what He was saying. To them He was a blasphemer for claiming equality with God Almighty, never realizing He is God Almighty. They were always trying to trip Jesus up to get some dirt on Him so they could condemn Him to death. They were unable to find fault in Him, but nevertheless, prophetically speaking they succeeded.

Jesus continually saw through their deceptive plans and rebuked them. He spent years attempting to get across to those foolish men the fact of who He was. He explained that He is the only way to the Father. Today, there’s not much difference in people’s attitudes, but it seems the spiritual blindness is much worse. The exclusivity of the Christian faith stands as a road block to many.

“The foolishness of man perverteth his way: and his heart fretteth against the LORD” (Proverbs 19:3).

Anyone who sees the Bible as just an antiquated, outdated book of obsolete scripture verses, especially out of date for our post modern times, can’t actually grasp the truth of the Scriptures. Therefore to those individuals the Bible’s truths remain indiscernible and just plain foolishness.

“For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God” (1 Corinthians 1:18).

Yes there are many religions around the world but Christianity holds the top spot for exclusivity. Actually, Christianity isn’t even a religion, it’s a lifestyle and it is so very exclusive that many people hate hearing those two historically famous words that bring hope and joy to Christians, “Jesus Christ.” Jesus, because of His proclamation that there is no other way to the Father but through Him, is being banished from most public arenas. He’s just too exclusive.

The Holy Bible, the awesome Word of God, is very direct in what we are to believe. Jesus tells us in His own words that we will only be allowed into the presence of God through Him and Him alone; and as I mentioned previously that truth is way too exclusive for those who are perishing.

No one on this planet will ever obtain salvation through any other means, try as they will. God’s word is quite clear on this subject. All those who deny Christ as the propitiation for our sins are in rebellion to God.

So when anyone quotes the verse from John ( “… I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me” John 14:6). The rebellious and foolish lost become agitated with us. This is when the name calling begins. Arrogant, bigoted, self absorbed, high minded, exclusive, ignorant, Bible thumping Jesus freaks. Actually believers will wear any title put on them for Jesus’ sake and be worn like a badge of honor.

Why are so many at odds with the truth? Why is the correct path so hated? Jesus tells us that the path that leads people to their own destruction is wide, and well traveled. The truth is not elusive but it does convict the sinner, which is what those who remain in their rebellion to God can’t stand.

Unbelievers, sooner or later, will begin to blame Christians for every disruption in their lives. The Christian faith and believers are becoming outcast in countries all across the world. I’m praying right along with many of you who would love to see Christ remove His Church prior to the full exclusion of Christianity from all societies.

There are many Christians today who desire to remain politically correct in their approach to all the false religions being promoted today. They water down the truth or they just skip the truth all together. Many of my brethren won’t believe the truth. Peter, being filled with the Holy Spirit, is quoted in the Book of Acts as saying:

“Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved” (Acts 4:12).

Why would Luke place this quote of Peter’s in Acts? Because the Holy Spirit knew there would be those who claim many paths to God.

“Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD thy God in vain; for the LORD will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain” (Exodus 20:7).

It’s considered hypocrisy to claim the name of God but act in a way that disgraces Him. Believers who claim the name of Jesus but disparage His words are also hypocrites because they dishonor His holy name through their rejection of the exclusivity of Christianity.

Those who claim many paths to God and also claim to follow Jesus Christ are actually declaring themselves to be gods; they’ve placed their knowledge and wisdom above God and His word. That’s exactly what Satan did which is what got him banished from Heaven. What makes people think they can usurp God’s word and still be permitted to join Him for eternity?

Again, it’s that old political correctness that distorts the minds of so many. Who do you want to be accountable to? Satan or God our Creator. We can’t have it both ways. When we become believers we cast off the old man, political correctness is out when it comes to the inerrancy of God’s word. We now follow God’s truth which is the antitheses of political correctness.

[Jesus said,] “He that is not with me is against me…” (Matthew 12:30).

Jesus is being very exclusive here by removing any thoughts of neutrality. Believers need to recognize that exclusivity. We need to stand wholeheartedly with Jesus. If we don’t stand with Him on His ground we stand against Him on all other ground, and will undoubtedly end up far below ground.

All other religious faiths in this world are on a sure path to hell.

They have condemned themselves through their continued embrace of false teaching and teachers. I’m not saying they can’t be turned from that condemnation (actually many are being rescued daily), but while they remain in unbelief they remain condemned. Many of our government leaders fall into that same category.

Today and forever, believers must accept the fact that our faith in Jesus Christ as the only way one may be saved is exclusive. Just how exclusive is this Christ centered faith? Here’s the simple truth of it, God’s free gift of salvation is available to every man, woman, and child on planet earth. “Wow Ron, if you put it that way it sounds completely inclusive.”

Yes, that’s what our Bibles tell us. All who believe in the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, and Him alone for salvation will be saved. We need to be right up front with all those we witness to that there is no other way to the Father but by the Son.

“And he went a little further, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt” (Matthew 26:39).

How did God the Father answer that prayer from His only begotten Son? There’s no other way Son. Jesus being completely obedient to the Father died on that cross for the sins of the world. If there was another way in which man could be saved, then God the Father didn’t answer His Son’s prayer and Jesus died for nothing which means our faith is in vain.

God bless you all,

Ron Graham