In 2003 two men began a journey: their mission was to put age-old beliefs, urban legends and common myths to the test. They would capture the most poised questions and document what happened as they extracted the truth from a scientific standpoint. I am talking of none other than the show MythBusters. With explosive reviews, in its existence, MythBusters became an American favorite. Why? What is so fascinating about debunking myths? I believe it’s because at the core of humanity there is an aching for truth; an aching to cut through the fog of the unknown and with precision, gaze into that which is absolute. Our hearts can be satisfied no other way. Yet never before has society been more enticed and entangled by lies.
According to a poll done by ABC, 83% of Americans identify themselves as Christians. If you’re like me you just did a double-take. That is no typo, 83%! It doesn’t take a prophet to look at those in God’s Word who identified themselves as christians and those who identify themselves as christians today and realize that we are talking about two undeniably different ways of living. When people were converted in the bible they shook their city. When people are converted today, they join a small group. Either God saw problems with His original manuscript and rewrote what “Salvation” looks like, or we have misinterpreted and watered down the unwavering truth of God’s Word to a more seeker-sensitive, socially acceptable gospel that looks pleasing to the world. I’m no scholar, but I can unravel this myth quiet simply. The change is not on God’s part. I believe the misconceptions swirling around our faith start at the very introduction of conversion. At the time of salvation we embrace ideas that cripple us throughout the entirety of our journey. We must return to the foundation of biblical christianity. We cannot afford to shape our beliefs around the culture we live in. Society will never have the power to implement a new means by which humanity can be saved. However, because of the undeniable influence the secular world has imposed upon our Christian beliefs, it’s time we take a stand. We must rebel against the norm. You and I, the Church of the Living God, are being summoned. We are called to wage war against the modern myths surrounding salvation.
Myth: All religions lead to God.
Buddha once said, “Work out your own salvation. Do not depend on others.” In our postmodern age truth is closer than ever before to becoming outlawed. If you have an opinion other than what is popular, you are deemed a bigot and labeled intolerant. Thus many “preachers” are conforming to a more socially acceptable gospel. So for the buddhists who believe they need not depend on anyone else for salvation, or the muslim working to be accepted by allah, it doesn’t matter what road of religion they choose to travel. All roads lead home. Wrong!
While it may not be socially acceptable, I refuse to be quiet and watch masses slip deeper into this modern myth preying on my generation. When we stand as light in darkness we will be persecuted. But as Believers, our love for people must outweigh our fear of man. Man’s opinion cannot change God’s word. Our assignment is to rescue those destined for utter destruction by proclaiming the truth of the gospel. Jesus wasn’t just a man; He wasn’t just a teacher. He is God and He is the only way to the Father. One of history’s most prolific writers, C.S. Lewis, penned these profound words in his book titled Mere Christianity:
“I am trying here to prevent anyone saying the really foolish thing that people often say about Him: I’m ready to accept Jesus as a great moral teacher, but I don’t accept his claim to be God. That is the one thing we must not say. A man who was merely a man and said the sort of things Jesus said would not be a great moral teacher. He would either be a lunatic — on the level with the man who says he is a poached egg — or else he would be the Devil of Hell. You must make your choice. Either this man was, and is, the Son of God, or else a madman or something worse. You can shut him up for a fool, you can spit at him and kill him as a demon or you can fall at his feet and call him Lord and God, but let us not come with any patronizing nonsense about his being a great human teacher. He has not left that open to us. He did not intend to.”
In the bible there are certain subjects that seem to be a “gray area” but salvation is not one of them. It is black and white.
The Old Testament declares He is the only way.
I am the First and I am the Last; Besides Me there is no God.” Isaiah 44:6
The New Testament declares He is the only way.
“Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” Acts 4:12
He Himself declared He is the only way.
“I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” John 14:6
And now you and I are called to make that same declaration, Jesus is the only way!
In closing, join me in praying for those of other religions. This isn’t about who’s right and who’s wrong, it is about eternity. If those we encounter from other religions absolutely refuse to acknowledge and surrender to the Lordship of Jesus, may they only do so after having rejected a million opportunities through which we have presented the gospel to them.
Caleb and Ali live in East Tennessee where they serve at The Lift Church. With boldness and conviction, their deepest desire is to see the church revived and the world awakened. Learn more about The Lift by visiting theliftchurch.tv.
