"Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved."
—Acts 4:12
I find it ironic that those who tell us we need to be tolerant are very intolerant of the gospel. In fact, the most intolerant people seem to be those who are always telling you to be tolerant. I have heard the complaint that Christians are so intolerant, yet I don't think that is true at all.
I think Christians are the most tolerant people of all, because we want to reason with those who have a different belief system than ours or live a different lifestyle than we live. Yes, we believe in absolute truth and believe in it unapologetically. But I have found that people who are the most intolerant are the ones who say, "I don't like the fact that you believe in absolute truth, and I am tolerant of everyone except you. I want you to shut up. I don't want you to state your views." What happened to all their tolerance? Where is the so-called love?
To proclaim that Jesus Christ is the only way to God will offend some people. But we proclaim it because the Bible clearly teaches it. This is what we call an essential, a nonnegotiable. Jesus stated it as succinctly as it could be stated when He said, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me" (John 14:6). When we state that as fact, it will offend certain people.
When a physician discovers a problem with a patient's health, he or she must tell the truth, even if it could upset the patient. As Christians, we must tell the truth about a person's condition, which, according to the Bible, is sinful. We must explain the problem and then offer the solution through Jesus Christ. And this will offend some people.
Copyright © 2009 by Harvest Ministries. All rights reserved. Scripture taken from the New King James Version. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
For more relevant and biblical teaching from Pastor Greg Laurie, go to www.harvest.org
5 comments:
To me, there is no confusion. The thought of multiple Gods and so on is more confusing. Any way you look at it if you believe the Bible then the message is clear. It is also clear on denying Christ. Matt 10:32 “Everyone who acknowledges me publicly here on earth, I will also acknowledge before my Father in heaven. 33 But everyone who denies me here on earth, I will also deny before my Father in heaven. and....2 Tim 2:12 If we endure hardship,
we will reign with him.
If we deny him,
he will deny us.
check out this link - http://bible.cc/matthew/10-33.htm
Blessings
cas
Great point. It's ironic that God would choose this point to blind some to the truth.
tba
No way around it. It does make for uncomfortable situations sometimes, but I'd rather the uncomfortable moments now then an uncomfortable eternity.
crb
The truth shall set you free...
My doctor told me that I should lose weight and lower my cholestorol (?). I wanted to get a second opinion...The truth hurts sometimes but given at the right time its life saving.
Have a great day guys.
TRM, whataya say we meet at Five Guys??
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