Our culture today is touting the “doctrine of tolerance” as the greatest moral attribute. Its proponents proclaim: “It is okay for you to be a Christian, but don’t say that Jesus is the only way to God; that is being intolerant.” Thus, if you tell somebody that believing in Jesus is the only way to heaven, and that people who are not in relationship with Him will go to hell; you become an “outsider” and an agitator. I know this sounds hard, but this is what the Bible teaches. Beloved, I want to say to you that we cannot “water-down” the Word of God. Instead, we must be resolved and prepared to answer this question:
Who is Jesus of Nazareth?
Friends, Jesus could not have just been a prophet; for a mere prophet would not have made the statements that He made. Jesus claimed that He was the only way to God and to heaven.
But how do we know about Jesus? How do we know what He actually said? It is through the writings contained within the New Testament. So here is the real question: Is the New Testament an accurate historical document?
To determine the authenticity of ancient historical documents, there are certain criteria that historians have agreed upon:
The New Testament was written, beloved, not by people that lived hundreds of years after Jesus died, but by people that actually lived with Him. They walked with Him. They talked with Him. John said, “…what we have heard, what we have seen with our eyes, what we have looked at and touched with our hands, concerning the Word of Life (Jesus)… we proclaim to you…”(1 John 1:1-3). Peter said, “For we did not follow cleverly devised (fairy) tales … but we were eyewitnesses of His majesty.” (2 Peter 1:16).
Beloved, today is the day to stand in truth. We must resist and denounce the “doctrine of tolerance” and proclaim to all: “Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life; no one comes to the Father, except through Him.” (John 14:6)