Truth Minute: Many ways to God? (False Options)
John 14:5 (NKJV)
5 Thomas said to Him, “Lord, we do not know where You are going, and how can we know the way?”
Its no mistake that Thomas (a.k.a “Doubting Thomas”) was the one who posed the question that many are reflecting today when regarding the “WAY” to God…for example, have you ever seen the co-exist bumper stickers? Or hear someone say that they all worship the same God just different prophets, or who is right and who is wrong and finally, Jesus is One of the Ways…well that is not the truth. While it is culturally the norm to be subjective, unoffensive or relative (to each is their own) in today’s society, Jesus specifically said no one Gets to God unless they go through him. Unfortunately, time will not allow me to address the sheer magnitude of that verse but consider the following about the three main ways people use to approach or connect to “God” either as a deity or an “idea”:
Epistemologically – through knowledge. “If I just learn something, I’ll be better” (Research Driven, Logic) – “Maybe if I can think, Google search or study my way to God” Note: This is where atheism makes an attempt to create doubt through empiricism/or asking a believer to manufacture evidence FOR GOD…(i.e., show me something “acceptable” and I will believe! See David Hume
Pragmatically – through works. “If I just do something, I’ll be better” (Works based Righteousness, Good deeds, community service) “Maybe if I do Good things that will get me to God”. (I went to church, I gave, I help the kids, I DO stuff) Church Burnout I Presume?
Existentially – through experience. “If I just experience something, I’ll be better” (Spiritual but Not Religious, Feelings and emotional highs) “Maybe if I have an out of body experience or get emotional that will get me to God. (I.e., “Man, Church was GOOD Sunday!”, He Sho-nuff preached!) But isn’t church just as Good if it helps you get delivered from sin? Warning: Be careful of churches that are based solely off of an “EXPERIENCE”.
In contrast Christianity (Disciples of Jesus Christ specifically) is unique among all other faiths because its ONTOLOGICAL. In other words it is grounded in the “PERSON” of Jesus Christ and serves as the only Bridge to God rather than a method or religious approach to God. Thus the Phrase “Jesus is my Savior and not my religion”
“For this reason I also suffer these things, but I am not ashamed; for I know whom I have believed and I am convinced that He is able to guard what I have entrusted to Him until that day.”(2 Timothy 1:12)
So in essence Jesus Personifies all of those approaches by satisfying the following:
Epistemologically – we learn through words. John 1:1,14 says, ” In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. . . . And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth.” (The Mind of Christ)
Pragmatically – what work is commanded of Christians? “Therefore they said to Him, “What shall we do, so that we may work the works of God?” Jesus answered and said to them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He has sent.””(John 6:28-29) (The Body of Christ)
Existentially – experience is through living and life. “Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me.”(John 14:6) (Led by the Holy Spirit)
~ An Excerpt from the Ongoing Series “Counterfeit Christ’s” Bible at Study Divine Truth Christian Center
~ Pastor Andre Martin
#knowwhatyoubelieveandwhy
