“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
One of the world’s most recognized brands, Coca-Cola traces its roots back to 1886, when the first glass of the tasty beverage was served in an Atlanta, GA, pharmacy. The drink grew in popularity — and it wasn’t without imitators. Pepsi arrived in 1893, followed by Royal Crown (“RC”), Shasta, and a host of others. In the late 1960s to help further differentiate Coke from the competition, company executives chose the familiar It’s the Real Thing slogan in response to research that revealed “… young people seek the real, the original, and the natural as an escape from phoniness.”
Now fast-forward more than 50 years, and people of all ages still seek authenticity — especially when it comes to matters of faith and religion. There’s no shortage of options. And furthering the confusion is the common notion that whichever one we choose, it really doesn't matter, just so long as we’re sincere and it makes us happy. After all, everyone is entitled to their own truth. It's all relative. And we're all
On the contrary! The Bible reveals that Jesus made some startling claims that clearly contradict today’s anything-goes take on faith. And he also backed them up. For example, Scripture accurately predicted Christ’s birth — even the name of the tiny village where it would happen — centuries before the fact. And in Jesus’ brief time on earth, he proved himself as the Son of God by curing the sick, raising the dead, forgiving sins, and being a living sacrifice to pay the price for the sins of the world. His resurrection from the grave (also as he predicted) proved his power over death. And 2,000 years later, Jesus' words continue to change lives and make an eternal difference.
"I am the vine; you are the branches," we read in 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. However, these days that's a claim that makes people uncomfortable. It's an assertion of exclusivity. And many would call it intolerant.
But maybe it's not so exclusive after all. Jesus' death and resurrection make it possible for anyone to have eternal life, and no one who wants a new beginning through the Savior is turned away. And unlike manmade religions, the real 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 putting our faith in him, accepting his free gift of salvation, and letting him live through us.
Today there are about 20 major world religions along with thousands of related beliefs and their offshoots. And they all have something in common: their emphasis on doing. But Christianity — the simple faith in Jesus as Lord and Savior — is instead about what's been done. We can't earn our salvation or do enough good deeds to cancel out our sins. And without faith in Jesus, we also can’t please God.
"It is finished!" Jesus proclaimed as he hung from the cross to save you and me. It was the only way. And It’s the Real Thing.
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