Only One Way

     Years ago when I worked in downtown Columbus, Ohio, my boss asked me to deliver some papers to another businessman.  I hated city driving because there were many one way streets, but I agreed to do the job.  Traffic was heavy and as I approached the address, I made a right hand turn.  Unfortunately for me, it was a one-way street and I had traffic heading right for me.  Quick thinking and God's providence kept me from getting into an accident as I was able to do a U turn and park over to the side of the street until I could calm myself.  However, a policeman saw the incident and gave me a lovely ticket.  There are consequences for going the wrong way!
     In like manner, there are consequences for not realizing that Jesus is the only way to God.  Many religions proclaim that they are a path to heaven, but Christ made it clear in Scripture that He is the solitary way to the Father.  As Jesus was reassuring His disciples concerning what was about to happen following the treachery of Judas, He made this statement: "I am the way, and the truth, and the life.  No one comes to the Father except through Me" (John 14:6).  This is a declaration of exclusivity.  There are no alternative methods to reaching everlasting life.  It is a one-way street which God established according to His good pleasure.  Now you may not agree with this premise, but it does not make it any less true.
     C.S. Lewis puts it well:  "Christianity is a statement which, if false, is of no importance, and, if true, is of infinite importance.  The one thing it cannot be is moderately important."  There is no middle ground and I tried to explain this to a Muslim friend in one of my classes at Ohio State University.  He told me I was bigoted because I declared Jesus Christ to be the only way to God.  I repeated John 14:6 and said that it was the Lord Himself who made this pronouncement.  He needed to look into the Bible for himself to see what it said.
     If the claims of Christ are true, they are true for everyone...not just some.  Jesus never asks for our opinion or our vote about His position as Savior and Lord.  He merely states His divine authority over the universe and demands our allegiance to Him alone.  There is no other way.  Now we can choose to go down the one way street the wrong way if we desire pursuing other means, but there are consequences.  Those who are found in Christ will receive everlasting life.  Those who choose to reject Christ face an eternity in Hell.    God sets before us two paths....one leads to life and the other to eternal agony.
     There are many among us today who have never heard the good news that Jesus Christ came into this world to fulfill the Law, die for our sins and rise again to give eternal life to all who believe in Him.  These dear people are going the wrong way on a one way street.  If we care about them, we need to be proactive at Christmas time to tell them the life changing story that Jesus is the way, the truth and the life.  This can be the best gift we could ever give to another in this season of celebration.  Selah!