I am a Christian. I know that means different things in our culture and around the world. But many, many Christians agree with the statements I will ramble about today.
I read in a story about Billy Graham’s funeral which included how his son said something to the effect that our world would have you believe there are many ways to God. Then, his son said that was not true. The article in our newspaper called that statement a “barb”.
Time to ramble…
- No, it’s not a barb. It should come as no surprise to anyone who knows anything about historic Christianity that I believe God makes one way for salvation: His Son Jesus Christ. John 14:6 says: Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me…”
- A relationship with God must have its foundation through Jesus Christ. No other way. God loves us this much and the sacrificing of His son for our sins is this important. To make another way would diminish the power and glory of what Jesus accomplished.
- This would include eternal life or heaven – no way to get there except through faith in Jesus.
- I believe God works outside human convention. I believe the Red Sea was parted, the Jordan was parted, the axhead floated, the widow’s son was raised, Jesus was born of a virgin, announced by angels, rose from the dead (attended by angels), and on and on and on…
- I believe a God we can fit into our understanding is a God of our creation, not a God we can fully trust.
- I believe the Bible speaks to issues of cultural, racial, relational, and sexual morality for our protection. I do not believe God speaks of moral standards to justify hatred toward any other humans.
- On that note, I believe the Bible is God’s Word.
- I believe Christians serve God to glorify God, not to earn their entrance into heaven or to get ahead in their comparison to another person.
- I do not intend these statements as “barbs” or jabs against anyone. I hope instead they cause you to think, whether you believe or not.
- I also hope these thoughts will drive action from the pure spot of pursing obedience and holiness in your personal life – to the glory of God and the diminishment of your own gain or ambition.