Ambivalent Confessions?

Have you ever had an encounter and/or discussion with a fellow Christian believer who states (and, apparently believes) the following mistaken idea?

"As a Christian, I believe that Jesus is the only way for me, but I can't say He is the way for the others."




Greg Koukl of Stand to Reason states:


Statements like this have become increasingly common among Christians of all stripes.

In both confessing Christ and retreating from the Gospel at the same time, these ambivalent confessions betray a deeply confused understanding of the Christian message.
 In the CD "No Other Name," I walk you through the error behind the well-meaning but misguided thinking. I hope it will equip you for your discussions with others about the Gospel.

A statement like, "As a Christian, I believe that Jesus is the only way for me, but I can't say He is the way for the others"might be considered as a well-meaning, politically correct type of communication, but as Greg stated, it is misguided thinking.

As followers of Jesus Christ, we know His Word, the Bible is the absolute truth. So when Jesus tells us in Scripture, "I am the way, the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father except by by Me" then we know we are wrong to say "but I can't say He is the way for the others."

Standing firm for Christ and sharing the true gospel message has to be our utmost intention and goal in this life. No amount of political correctness will do! Did Jesus utilize political correctness during his three-year ministry on earth? NO. Of course not! He told the truth - even when doing so brought danger to him and his disciples from those who opposed our Lord and Savior.

We cannot shirk our duty as followers of Jesus by giving a wishy-washy version of the gospel message. We must be firm in our convictions, put on the whole armor of God, and use Scripture to both evangelize the world as well as ward off the enemy of our souls.

Eph 6:10   Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might.


Eph 6:11   Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.


Eph 6:12   For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, [fn] against spiritual [hosts] of wickedness in the heavenly [places].


Eph 6:13   Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.


Eph 6:14   Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness,


Eph 6:15   and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace;


Eph 6:16   above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one.


Eph 6:17   And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God;


Eph 6:18   praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints--


Eph 6:19   and for me, that utterance may be given to me, that I may open my mouth boldly to make known the mystery of the gospel,


Eph 6:20   for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.

Dr. David Jeremiah has an excellent sermon about utilizing the Armor of God.

Go to David Jeremiah.org, click on the green box that reads "Watch Now - This Week's Broadcast" and watch "The Shield of Faith." Former broadcasts are also available at the site.

Hat Tips to all links.

Defending the Treasure

Monday, April 4

Defending the Treasure

But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us.
2 Corinthians 4:7

Recommended Reading 2 Cor. 4:7-12

Depending on where you live, this past winter you may have joined a growing number of homeowners who installed an insulating "jacket" around their home's hot water heater--especially if the unit is located in a garage, attic, or crawl space. The goal is to protect the water--to help it fend off the persistent, relentless encroachment of freezing cold air. To the degree it is protected, the less energy the hot water heater expends to keep the water hot.

There is something more important we have to protect: the Gospel of the grace of God. That is the treasure Paul spoke about in 2 Corinthians 4:7. Amazingly, God deposited His treasure in fragile "earthen vessels" which are subject to the persistent, relentless, encroaching ways of the world and attacks of the devil. But Paul says the treasure is protected "that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh" (verse 11).

If you are feeling the pressures of life today, and if you are God's child by faith in Christ, God is committed to protecting the treasure He has deposited in you.

A sovereign Protector I have... and walls of salvation surround the soul He delights to defend.
Augustus M. Toplady

Read-Thru-the-Bible
2 Samuel 18:1-19:43

Dr. David Jeremiah

2 Corinthians 4:7-12 (New King James Version)

Cast Down but Unconquered

7 But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us. 8 We are hard-pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; 9 persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed— 10 always carrying about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body. 11 For we who live are always delivered to death for Jesus’ sake, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh. 12 So then death is working in us, but life in you. - Bible Gateway