All the answers

How Can You Say Jesus Is the Only Way to God?

1 Corinthians 8:2 “Anyone who claims to know all the answers doesn't really know very much.”

People are only willing to accept one way if they believe it is appropriate, and to listen to authority when it is in their best interests or they have confidence in the authority. They don't promote pluralism regarding to breathe or not to breathe (the only one way to keep someone living). They follow their employers' way of doing things to keep their jobs. They follow detour signs held by orange-jacketed construction workers. When it comes to religion, however, suddenly pluralism is an absolute and anyone, such as Jesus, who is so narrow, minded as to say His religion is the only way to God, is convicted of prejudice.

Job 40:2 "Do you still want to argue with the Almighty? You are God's critic, but do you have the answers?" 

How does a Christian respond?

o      First, show the skeptic that he is himself, intolerant of at least one religious view -- Christianity, which makes exclusive claims about salvation.

o      Then, show him that consistent pluralism is meaningless because by giving the same truth value to conflicting claims, it denies truth to any claim.

Proverbs 26:5 “When arguing with fools, be sure to answer their foolish arguments, or they will become wise in their own estimation.”

Job 40:4 "I am nothing--how could I ever find the answers? I will put my hand over my mouth in silence.”

Job 35:12 "And if they do cry out and God does not answer, it is because of their pride.”

o      If there is only one God who is eternal, all-powerful, all-good, all-loving, all-knowing, and fully just; and He creates us in His image, we would be completely fulfilled if we related to Him the way He wants us to, in harmony with His will. As the creator from concept to production line, he would know the most about the perfect purpose of his creations. No one else could compete with him regarding his creations' functions or destiny.

o      If He were to say one's destiny is determined by how many slices of pizza he can consume, no one could bring greater authority or knowledge to dispute him.

o      If He were to say that one's destiny is determined by how he responds to God's loving sacrifice of His Son on behalf of all who are separated by sin from God, He cannot be disputed.

There is not one teacher who knows everything about his or her subject.

There are more questions than there are answers and this is also true when it comes to Christianity, the Bible, heaven, hell and eternity or the “afterlife.”

If we were to test each plan of salvation, all would fail except Christianity. To test each plan would be incredibly useless.

o      It would be like having five thousand cars in a parking lot, only one of which has an engine, and trying every single one to find the one that worked. You could try 4,999 unsuccessfully and know without even turning the key that car 5,000 works.

o      However, if the person who put the cars in the parking lot and chose the one with the engine were to tell you where that car is, pointed it out, led you to it, sat you in the seat, and even turned the key for you, people would call you a fool to insist, "You're too narrow-minded and intolerant. I'd rather try a few other cars first. I have my own ideas about where the engine is."

o      Christianity is the car with the engine.

o      It fits the facts, makes sense, perfectly reflects God's nature and character, and tells the truth about human nature and our predicament separated from God by sin.

o      If we are created in the image of the God described in the Bible, if we are separated from Him by our own sin, and if He loves us so much that He would provide Himself a sacrifice for human sin that reconciles His justice and mercy, wouldn't it make sense for Him to come Himself, demonstrate His identity and authority through His words and works, and then point us to the only way?

Luke 20:26 “So they failed to trap him in the presence of the people. Instead, they were amazed by his answer, and they were silenced.”

He is not an ancient ideal but a real person here and now, ready to barge in and transform our lives. . . . The love of God is the answers not only to (1) the quest for the extreme value. . . and to (2) the quest for the ultimate reality. . . but it is also the answer to the third quest, the quest for life's deepest meaning and purpose."(3)

Psalms 17:6 “I am praying to you because I know you will answer, O God. Bend down and listen as I pray.”

 

Psalms 91:15 “When they call on me, I will answer; I will be with them in trouble. I will rescue them and honor them.”

Proverbs 16:1 “We can gather our thoughts, but the Lord gives the right answer.”

Paul said, Romans 7:25 “Thank God! The answer is in Jesus Christ our Lord. So you see how it is: In my mind I really want to obey God's law, but because of my sinful nature I am a slave to sin.” 

Proverbs 8:17 "I love all who love me. Those who search for me will surely find me.”