Recently, one mantra that became quite popular was “I am living my own truth.” It contends each person lives by his or her own standards of truth for his or her life. One celebrity tried to use it to escape criminal charges by declaring she was not guilty because according to her truth she did what was right. This is one example that demonstrates the pluralistic nature of our culture – embracing multiple or alternate competing views simultaneously.
This principle is especially evident in religious matters. Many assert that God is Whoever or Whatever one desires Him to be. They assert that there is no objective instruction to guide people in their pursuit of faith. Of course, this is an issue because the Bible makes many claims to be the only objective truth that leads to faith and to a relationship with God (Romans 10:17; 2 Timothy 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:3; Psalm 119:105). Consider one of the most well-known passages in John’s Gospel account. “Jesus said to him, ‘I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me’” (John 14:6). This passage is exclusive and runs perpendicular to our world’s pluralistic worldview. Anyone approaching God must do so through Jesus Christ.
We must approach God through Jesus because He is the way to God. In Jesus’ approximately 33-year earthly life, He showed the world how God desires each of us to live. Thus, a disciple must live as Jesus did and submit to His commandments (1 Peter 2:25; 1 John 2:5-6). In addition, Jesus’ death and resurrection provided a new covenant that gave the entire world access to God without the Law of Moses (1 John 2:1). We can now behold God with “unveiled face” (2 Corinthians 3:18).
All must approach God through Jesus because He is the Truth. Jesus is the embodiment of Truth. John stated that Christ was full of “grace and truth” (John 1:14, 18). He made God known to us in human terms, and His Word must govern our lives (John 14:21).
Everyone must approach God through Jesus because He is the life. Jesus is the originator of life (John 1:4). Jesus’ life provided eternal life for all of humanity (John 3:16). He paid sin’s death penalty, and everyone now has the free gift of eternal life (Romans 6:23).
In matters of faith, we’re expected to follow God’s objective Truth. There is only one way to approach God the Father. It is through Jesus Christ.
[Editor’s Note: Indeed, the free gift of eternal salvation, as a result of Christ’s vicarious death on Calvary’s cross, is available to all of humanity. However, only those who obey Jesus Christ (Hebrews 5:9), that is, those who demonstrate an obedient faith (Romans 1:5; 16:26), satisfy the divine stipulations to receive that free gift. All who do not obey the Gospel (2 Thessalonians 1:8; 1 Peter 4:17) or who do not remain faithful (1 Peter 2:20-22; Revelation 2:10) will be lost. Many souls will perish (Matthew 7:13-14), but happily an innumerable and vast contingent of mankind will enjoy eternal life (Revelation 7:9-10). Jesus spelled out what constitutes initial obedience or how to become a child of God (Mark 16:16), and the apostle Peter preached the same message on the birthday of the Lord’s church (Acts 2:38). ~ Louis Rushmore, Editor]
