In the world, there are many religions. Each one of them claims to hold the solution to sin. Some ask their followers to reject sin. Some ask them to be unconcerned about sin. There are even some that ask them to embrace or even celebrate sin. The Bible, however, makes it clear that sin is something of deadly seriousness.
Sin separates us from God (Isa. 59:2). To be more specific, in Romans 6:23, it is revealed that sin carries a death sentence. Sin is any violation of the laws of God (1 John 3:4). If all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God (Rom. 3:23), then we are all in grave danger. Each of us is in a state of separation from God, and therefore, destined for death.
What then is the solution to sin? Continuing in Romans 6:23, Paul reveals that despite our death sentence, God provided a free gift of eternal life instead. Some may hear this news and think, “Well then that takes care of that.” But there is more to it.
This eternal life, Paul says, is found “…in Christ Jesus our Lord.” In John 14:6, Jesus told Thomas, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” This means that the way to eternal life is found in Jesus.
So, if the way to eternal life is a free gift found in Christ Jesus, then who does that extend to?
Do you need to be a Christian to be saved, or does this gift cover the sins of the world regardless of religion? Many religious leaders wearing the name Christian attempt to make the claim that the way mentioned in John 14:6 is not actually exclusive. They say that though Jesus’ wording is singular, there can be many access points to His way. In other words, Jesus’ blood cleanses the sin of any who believe in God and seek a moral life. But, this is nonsense.
In order to justify this explanation, you have to ignore the entire point Jesus was making. The way to salvation is directly connected with following Jesus and no other. Jesus was answering Thomas’ question, “How can we know the way?” to the Father (v. 1-5). His answer is inherently exclusive. He says, “…no one comes to the Father except through Me.” If sin separated us from God, then the only way back to Him is by following the One who knows Him.
The only way to the Father is being a follower of Jesus Christ. We need to know Jesus who knows Him (v. 7-10), believe in Jesus who is in Him (v. 11), and obey Jesus who is loved by Him (v. 15). “He who has My commandments and keeps them, it is he who loves Me. And he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and manifest Myself to him” (v. 21). Are you following the way of Jesus?
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