Articles
The Exclusive/Inclusive Christ
►Christ is exclusive.
He Himself said, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6). He made it abundantly clear in His teachings that there are but two alternatives: either Christ or destruction (Matt. 7:24-27; Mark 16:16; John 8:24; 12:48).
Peter said of Him, “And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved” (Acts 4:12).
Paul describes it this way: “. . . at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father” (Phil. 2:10-11).
►Christ is inclusive.
His salvation is offered to all without distinction. Christ invites the poor, the oppressed, and people of all nations to receive freely the blessings that are in Him (Mark 16:15-16; Luke 14:21-23). Jews and Gentiles are saved on exactly the same basis (Acts 10:1-11:18; Eph. 2:11-22).
Slave and master stand as equals in His sight (Gal. 3:28). Though He has assigned men and women their respective roles, He treats them both as spiritual equals (Gal. 3:28; 1 Peter 3:7); “. . . he died for all. . . .” (2 Cor. 5:15).
Those who find repugnant His claim to be the only way to God, are invited to consider a few points:
●We all deserve hell because we have all sinned and have fallen short of the glory of God (Rom. 3:23; 6:23).
●God owes us nothing, but because of His mercy He extends the opportunity to everyone alike to find salvation in His Son. That’s true love!
●The gospel of Christ is a tremendous offer. But it can be rejected. God does not force His grace on anyone. He respects our freedom of the will.
Yes, there is only one way to God, but there IS a way. What if there were no way?
Scripture quotations are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
