One Road, Many Modes
As I was driving to work this morning I was thinking about a question that was asked here on Bold Grace. Here is that question: “Just curious, do you need Jesus to have the Kingdom of God or will other ways suffice?”
Cliff answered, “yes”. Now I am not sure what Cliff was answering yes to but here is my take.
According to the writers of the gospels Jesus said this, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me”.
Also the writer of Acts wrote: “Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved."
I BELIEVE BOTH! Does that shock you? To many who read here at Bold Grace that may come as a SURPRISE! Let me explain.
Back to my ride to work this morning. As I was driving along the thought came to me that the road I was driving on is the same one I drove on out in San Francisco, California back in October of last year (2007). But how could that be the road I was driving on this morning was in White Oak, Pennsylvania! Here is how……… ALL ROADS are connected! It may be by another road but in reality it is the same road! Men may call the roads by different names but the road is the SAME ROAD! It also occurred to me that ALL ROADS lead to the SAME PLACE! How you may ask do all roads lead to the same place? Because ALL roads take us to our destination. Then it came to me that there are many modes of transportation on these roads. Some trucks, some cars, some motorcycles, some bicycles, some walkers, some skate boarders, and some even ride scooters. So how does all of this relate to the question of is Jesus the only way? Well here goes my feeble attempt to explain.
The ONE ROAD that mankind travels is Jesus Christ. Now how many of you have ever traveled a road and did not know the name of that road? All of us right?
You see the Old Testament Prophets spoke of a Redeemer coming that would make a straight road to God. One who would “stand in the gap” as a bridge, i.e. road. I travel over roads and bridges daily that take me to my destination without ever knowing the name of that bridge or road. But yet it still gets me to my destination.
So if Jesus is the ONE ROAD then what are the vehicles that travel that road? What are those different modes of transportation? They are the self and spiritual ways that mankind travels. Some are Atheist, some are Christian, some are Muslim, some are Hindu, and some are (fill in the blank). Now my question is this…” does a mode of transportation say a car or truck know the name of the road it travels? No! Does that car or truck not knowing the name of the road stop it from getting to its final destination? No! So what is the final destination of mankind? Home with the Creator of the Universe. You see just because I drive on the Jesus Road in a vehicle called Christianity in order to get to my destination it does not mean my brother who drives on the Jesus Road in a Muslim vehicle will not get to his/her destination! ALL are driving on the same road! It is called JESUS! He is THE WAY! He is The Path in the wilderness. He is The Light that Lights EVERY MAN that comes into this world.
He is THE ONLY ROAD Available! There are no others! But there are many modes of transportation on that road. So when you see your Muslim brother on the road say hello and wish him peace. When you see your Christian sister say hello and wish them peace. When you see the Hindu child wish them peace. When you see the Atheist wish them peace. Because they are all traveling the same road as you only in different vehicles. That ROAD is JESUS!
Peace to you my Fellow Traveler
Geo
Great points Geo. When I answered “YES” to John T I was saying yes to question as to whether or not the Big Guy (as he called God) would still love those who do not call on the name of JESUS. I answered that way because God’s love is NEVER based on what we beileve, how we act, or what we call HIM. His love is a love that NEVER FAILS under any conditions.
Heres a good one from Joseph Campbell
Those who cannot see beyond the symbols, are “like diners going into a restaurant and eating the menu,” rather than the meal it describes.
That’s a good one, John. I might take it a step further though… I don’t need a menu. I already know what I want. And it’s so simple, anybody can make it. And they already did…
That’s good, Geo. These are the things we’ve talked about at length. And I never get tired of hearing the simple truth.
If it brings you peace, the Cross brought you there. If it brings you joy, the Cross brought you there. If it brings you love, the Cross brought you there. And on and on.
Actually the road has no name other than “I AM”
Damn John! You summed it up in just TWO WORDS! hahaha! That is so right on John! Good Observe!
Peace
Geo
Now if I could only sum up my own existence(road) so simply lol
John T., I like that. That was my thinking about Geo’s post.
What ever path we are on I know that God’s love and grace is always there and we cannot get away from His love and grace.
Love in Christ Dan
Right on Dan
Its not like we’re going anywhere. We’re already there. Loved and learning.
H george i want to come over and see you.Tell me when it stuit’s you
Kenneth,
Do you mean in the flesh? If so how long would you be coming for? Because if you come to the states we will do a road tours and go see Cliff too! Along with Bruce and Steve
Peace
Geo
can i re post this and leave a link on cafemom.com? im in a couple religious debate groups there ( i am the only non religious one) and i want to send this to them. this was really good by the way!
Michelle,
You can repost anything we say here on Bold Grace. We encourage you to do so. We are not ashamed of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. It is the power of God unto salvation as Paul said. And once planted in a persons mind it truly does have the power to do its work all alone without debate. May you be at peace in all of your contacts at cafemom.com and may this Gospel that Paul preached be proclaimed to ALL.
Peace
Geo
By the way Michelle do you have a direct web link to the discussion you are in?
Peace
Geo
yes well the first one is a religious debate group
http://www.cafemom.com/group/218
the second is called free thinking religious moms
http://www.cafemom.com/group/33488
I think these groups are private so you might have to make a cafe mom account to add these groups and view their discussion.
I have to say, the christians are the only ones giving me a hard time, oh and one wiccan. But there are some great moms on there. I myself am a single mother, I am almost 23, and I grew up in a christian home and used to attend church. My dad is friends with Mike Williams, as I’m sure you’re all familiar. Thanks for these blogs! I am not a very good writer and I have a hard time expressing myself without lashing at the church sometimes.
Michelle
You are PERFECT! Just the way you are don’t change to please anyone! If you need change in your life it will come only through you knowing that you are FREE! Don’t let those who think they are the “gatekeepers” get you down. Just love’em and in the end of things love wins ALL! WE LOVE YOU KID!
Peace
Geo
P.S.
Mike is a Good Friend of us here at Bold Grace.
Thank you. I just struggle with kindness sometimes when people try to “challenge” my beliefs. But i am learning how to deal with it better. It doesn’t hurt me at all because I have known the truth since I was a kid. I just get easily annoyed, I guess. But I think it’s part being a mother and growing up that has made me think more and learn to become kinder to others.
Michelle,
For me I am learning that as I rest more in more in the finished work of the cross my soul less and less feels the need or want, to prove to those who challenged my beliefs that what I believe is right. The people that are still challenging your beliefs are not ready yet to hear the message of BOLD GRACE. But be patient and continue to love them without requirements from them. In the end they will be drawn magically to what you believe about Jesus and His Finished work. There will come a day in their lives when they will doubt and come to the end of their “personal’ faith. It is at that time that the faith of Christ can be revealed to them because His faith is the ONLY faith that never fails. And even if they quit believing and don’t embrace the faith of Christ and become agnostic or atheistic or any other belief or lack of they are still better off than believing the lie that God will burn the majority of mankind in hell forever. And they will be a more healthy and happy human.
Peace
Geo
Yeah, i came across a wiccan woman who was offended that I believe she is going to heaven. I asked her if I was the first person to tell her that she is not going to hell. She never answered, but i don’t care. I told her i wish nothing but love and blessings to her and left it at that. So I am shifting away from the debate topics and joining the free-thinkers. It’s much more breathable there. I definately agree that most people would read this site and think that it is crazy. But of course it depends on whether they are ready or not. I accept it.