Tuesday, 14 May 2013

Tuesday 14 May 2013

Read: John 14:1-11, Acts 4:5-12

"God can be realized through all paths. All religions are true. The important thing is to reach the roof. You can reach it by stone stairs or by wooden stairs or by bamboo steps or by a rope. You can also climb up by a bamboo pole." Ramakrishna

 

These words from the famous Indian mystic of the 19th century summarize well the commonly accepted view of our society: that it does not matter what path you take to God, we all end up in the same place. Is this really a Biblical idea however? Is there a narrow path, a set of bamboo stairs and a bamboo pole which all lead to the same God? Does it really matter what we believe as long we we truly believe it?

 

Notice what Jesus has to say about this idea in today's reading from John 14:6: "Jesus answered, "I am the way the truth and the life. No one comes to the father except through me." Jesus doesn't muck around. He doesn't use vague, inclusive type language. He clearly states that there is no way to God except through Him. Peter backs this up in Acts 4:12: "Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved."

 

Jesus is exclusive. There is no bamboo staircase. There is no bamboo pole. There is only the narrow road. All other ways lead to destruction. The irony is this: normally a narrow road would be the place for an ambush. In the case of life and salvation the narrow way is the way to salvation and the ambush actually lies on the wide road.

 

The upshot is this: we must choose. Jesus leaves us with a choice we cannot avoid. There are only two options. Do we choose to enter through the narrow gate, through faith in Jesus Christ or do we choose to travel the wide road to destruction? Do we choose to live our lives our own way, being our own Lord, or do we choose to surrender our lives in faith to Him? Do we think we can keep Jesus as a swipe card to only use when we die and want to go to heaven or do we live our lives for Him every day? We must choose whether to accept Christ or to reject Him? There is no other option, no other way to God. Where do you stand?

 

Prayer:

Write down your prayer points in the space provided. Use today’s reading to help you get ideas.

Adoration:

 

Confession:

 

Thanks:

 

Supplication:

  • Pray for the ministry of Shiloh Church Ministries in India. Pray that, in a culture with many Gods, that the pastors would be able to preach the gospel of Christ powerfully and effectively and that many would see Jesus as they only way of salvation. Pray that God would raise up support for this ministry.


Pray for the eldership at the church. Praise God that He has raised up men who are willing to faithfully serve God and lead the church well. Pray that God would encourage them, would unify them and would strengthen them in their leadership. Pray that they would be able to minister to the congregation well.

 

Discussion Questions For Families and Groups

1. "There are many ways to God, Jesus is just one of them." More than likely you would have heard some version of this from an unbelieving family member or friend. Roleplay together as a group how you would respond to this kind of statement from a non-christian. Make sure you challenge them to respond to Christ.

 

 

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