Why is Jesus Absolutely Exclusive?
John 14:6
“Jesus said unto him, ‘I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes unto the Father except through Me.”
Christ’s words in John 14:6 are shocking to the inclusive, pluralistic thinking of our day, for Christ claims to be absolutely exclusive in the matter of salvation.
In most areas of life, variety and diversity are welcome. We are free to buy different makes and models of cars; we shop in different stores, buying different brands of products. However, when it comes to the matter of eternal life, there is no room for difference. Salvation is not personal preference. Eternal life is based upon the exclusive person and work of Jesus Christ, who is “the way, the truth, and the life.” This is what Christ was teaching in John 14:6.
I AM
There is No Substitution
Jesus began by declaring, “I am.” Consider the meaning and consequence of this truth. In John chapter eight the Lord Jesus declared, “Unless you believe that ‘I AM’ (i.e. ‘unless you believe that I am the God-man’; see John 8:58, Exodus 3:14-15) you shall die in your sins.” (John 8:24) This brings us back to Christ’s words in John 14:6 where He stated, “I AM”. There is no substitute.
THE WAY
There is No Comparison
After declaring His uniqueness, Christ said “I am THE WAY.” He did NOT say, “I reveal the way”, or “I open the way”, or “I show the way.” He said “I AM the way.” The word “way” means a road. It speaks of a passage between two places. Here, way speaks of a link between God and man. Way speaks of the mighty bridge that has spanned the enormous gulf between sinful man and Holy God.
Many have made claims that they can show the way to heaven, but none has proven to be the way to heaven. No one else ever entered into death and rose again. Thus, there is no comparison between Christ and anyone else.
NO ONE
There is No Exception
Where else can we look for salvation? Who has paid the penalty for our sins? Who has proven His claim to being resurrected from the dead? Only in Christ, and only by faith in Him, can there be any salvation. Christ said “no one can come to the Father except through Me.” No one can bypass Jesus Christ to enter heaven. There is no exception.
BUT THROUGH ME
There is No Option
John 14:6 is the challenge and the choice facing every human being. The way to God, and the truth about salvation, and the eternal life God offers - these are all available only through the person and work of Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ is “absolutely exclusive.” There is no option.
The reason for the absolute exclusiveness of Jesus Christ for salvation is explained in Romans 3:21-26.
God by nature is righteous. Man by nature falls short of God’s righteousness.
God by nature requires a righteousness equal His own.
Man by nature can never meet God’s standard of absolute righteousness, thus making it impossible for man to earn or merit salvation by what he does. Christ, eternal God by nature, took on human nature so that, as the God-man, He could identify with both God and man.
In His death He paid the penalty of sin so that by believing. Thus God can accept the believing sinner without violating His righteous character because the unrighteous sinner is declared to have the very righteousness of God in Christ.
“He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.” II Corinthians 5:21
“For by grace are you saved through faith and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not of works, so that no one may boast.” Ephesians 2:8-9
Have you become the righteousness of God in Christ?
Have you bowed to the absolute exclusiveness of Jesus Christ?
Have you believed into Jesus Christ for your eternal life by faith alone, through grace alone, in Christ alone?
For more information please contact Pastor Ron Shaw
(408)225-0200 sunrisevbc@sbcglobal.net
