The Right Choice

“Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.”

-- Acts 4:12

We live in a nation that’s blessed with choices. Need a cell phone? There are dozens of retailers offering hundreds of devices from Apple, Samsung, LG and other manufacturers. Well-stocked supermarkets may offer 10 or more brands of bottled water. And if you’re looking for entertainment, Netflix, Apple TV and Hulu have a program or movie for just about everyone — from cartoons to romantic comedies to horror flicks. Then there’s that ubiquitous online marketplace, Amazon.com. According to the BigCommerce website, Amazon is where you’ll find your choice of more than 350 million different products!

Choice has long been popular in America, so it’s no surprise that we also have

options for religion. There's something for every taste and preference. And making it more confusing is that many well-meaning people contend that which one you choose doesn't really matter — just so long as you're sincere in your beliefs and it makes you happy. After all, one person's truth isn't someone else's. It's all relative. And we're all worshipping the same god anyway. Right?

Not really! The Bible makes several startling claims that collide with the easy-going beliefs of our modern-day culture. And it also backs them up. For example, the Old Testament accurately predicted Jesus' birth — even the name of the tiny village where it would happen — centuries before the fact. And we read that in Jesus' brief time on earth, he cured the sick, raised the dead, forgave sins and became a living sacrifice to pay the price for all the wrongs of the world. His resurrection from the grave, just as he foretold, proved his ultimate power over death. And 2,000 years later, Christ's words continue to change lives and make an eternal difference:

"I am the vine; you are the branches," he proclaims through John's gospel. "If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing."

Many people, even those who aren't Christ-followers, agree that Jesus was a "good" man and a "wise" teacher. But the hot button question is whether or not he's the only way to God. The short answer is ... YES! Jesus declares that no one can come to the Father (God) except through him. But that's a disturbing claim these days because it asserts exclusivity. And many would call it intolerant.

But maybe Jesus’ claim isn’t quite so exclusive after all. Let's consider that his death and resurrection make eternal life possible for anyone who accepts God's free gift. No one who wants a new life through the Savior is turned away. And unlike manmade religions, the way to God isn't about keeping certain rules, saying special prayers or eating (or not eating) particular foods. Instead, being a Christ-follower is about having a personal relationship with Jesus, accepting what he’s already accomplished — and letting him live through us. All we need to do is choose to come to him in faith. 

In a world with 20 major religions plus thousands of related offshoots, Jesus alone is the right choice.