Only One Way

There are many ways to write a poem, paint a mountain, make a quilt, but there is only one way to God. Every religious system will deny this, as will people who claim no allegiance to any particular religion. The only people that claim this outrageous exclusivism are Christians.

We do this because our Savior claimed it. He said that no one could come to God except through Him. We claim it because our Bible says, “There is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” (John 14:6 & Acts 4:12)

We also claim it because His way of salvation is totally different from the way described by all others. Jesus justifies sinners, but all other religions say that we must justify ourselves and do good to be approved by God. But Jesus says, while we are still sinners, we are accepted, therefore go and do good.

The Gospel is just as outrageous today as it was when Jesus was crucified for His claims, and the disciples were persecuted for backing Him up. Yet it was God’s will that He be slain, for in His death the plan of God was completed. Unlike the priests (and unlike most religious people) Jesus made one sacrifice for all sin for all time.

“For Christ has entered, not into holy places made with hands, which are copies of the true things, but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God on our behalf. Nor was it to offer himself repeatedly, as the high priest enters the holy places every year with blood not his own, for then he would have had to suffer repeatedly since the foundation of the world. But as it is, he has appeared once for all at the end of the ages to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself. And just as it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment, so Christ, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time, not to deal with sin but to save those who are eagerly waiting for him.” (Hebrews 9:24–28)

An earlier verse says, “Therefore he is the mediator of a new covenant, so that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance, since a death has occurred that redeems them from the transgressions committed under the first covenant.” (Hebrews 9:15)

Christianity is the only ‘religion’ with a slain substitute for sin who died and rose from the dead. It is the only one whose followers are promised eternal life for what He did, not anything we do. It is the only one whose focus is on relationship with Jesus rather than a list of do’s and don’ts.

Christians are also the only people who have a direct line from our sinful selves to the throne room of Almighty God: “My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. He is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world.” (1 John 2:1–2)

We are also the only ones that are encouraged to pray for the salvation of others because God desires everyone else to know His Son just as we do . . .

“First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all, which is the testimony given at the proper time.” (1 Timothy 2:1–6)

Christians are not perfect people. Some of us are downright foolish at times. We get caught up by sin, deceived by lies and stumble over our selfishness, but perfection isn’t the criteria for belonging to Jesus Christ. We are saved by grace through faith. And this is not our own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. (Ephesians 2:8–9)

If there are any passwords at all, anything we can do or say, it is, “I confess . . . I repent . . . I believe.”

He even carries the invoice

Christianity unfortunately is dumped into the system called religion, but the Gospel is about as opposite from religious beliefs as it can be.

Religion says we must do this and do that to please God. It is made up of rules and rites, creeds and laws, putting a sorrowful burden on the honest heart because it knows that no matter how great the effort, the standard can never be attained. Religious people can get around this by creating a standard that they can reach. By doing this, they then fall into a self-righteous pride. Either way, religion is hard work.

The Gospel is not like that, despite the labels put on it. The Christian who knows Jesus Christ and lives by the power of the Holy Spirit does not base their faith on what they are doing. Instead, we have responded to His invitation and live by grace.

Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light. (Matthew 11:28–30)

Jesus knows that we are prone to try and earn the favor of God, but in our labors to do so, there is no certainty, no rest. The zealous eventually find themselves weary with the load.

Actually, the words here for heavy laden indicate just that — a great and large cargo, a full load. This load could include a deep desire for holiness and all efforts to become that, but whatever else is involved, the heavy load includes the weight of failure, of sin and shortcomings that separate sinners from God. It is the sense of never quite measuring up.

But Jesus talks about a different burden, a light one that is easy. The word used in this case is not the cargo of the first burden but a word that means the invoice! No wonder He calls it a light load.

Carrying this light load includes learning from Jesus, becoming acquainted with His nature and humility. It is walking alongside Him with a load that is easy; He shares the carrying and allows us to rest rather than labor and be stressed about our eternal destiny because He has secured it for us.

The Gospel is simple. Jesus died for our sins, was buried, then rose again the third day. The penalty for sin has been paid. Jesus also lives the righteous life we can never live, and when He is received into our hearts as Savior and Lord, that life becomes our life. He took our sin so that His righteousness might become our piety and holiness. Not only that, we die to our old life so that we can take His light burden and be yoked with Him.

I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. I do not nullify the grace of God, for if righteousness were through the law, then Christ died for no purpose. (Galatians 2:20–21)

There is nothing I can do to earn the favor of God or eternal life. Contrary to religious beliefs, I am set free from the law of sin and death by faith in Jesus Christ, nothing else. I am saved by grace through faith, and even faith is a gift from Him. In this liberty, I am not in a religion but in an incredible relationship.

And this is eternal life, that they know you the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent. (John 17:3)

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Lord, so many sincere people work hard to please You with their religious activities. Others work hard to ignore You, thinking (rightly) that they cannot do it. Many have no interest at all, not realizing their need. No matter. The invitation goes out. You bid all who need saving (which is everyone) to come and You will satisfy the need of their souls. Thank You for inviting us, for inviting me, to let You carry our heavy load.