Daily Encounter: A Week-day Devotional by a staff of ACTS International.

Thursday, September 8, 2016

"Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me."¹

A Daily Encounter reader writes: "About your 'I Hate Religion' article …It seems pretty judgmental to me. Are you saying that the ONLY right way to come to the one true God is through Christianity? If you are, I have a little quote for YOU, 'Judge not lest you be judged.'"

Hello, Judy (name changed), you ask if I am saying that the only way to God is Christianity. Actually, I'm quoting Jesus and God's Word. Jesus said without apology, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me." And again, "Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved."²

In actuality, had there been any other way to God, why would Jesus, the Son of God, have come to earth to die on the cross to give His life to pay the penalty for all our sins? Furthermore, I would much rather listen to what God has to say than listen to what man-made religions have to say. Also, when we decide what is the way (or ways) to God, we put ourselves above God and His Wordâ€"which is a very dangerous path to follow.

As Jesus also said, "Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it."³

Yes, it is true that Jesus said, "Judge not, that ye be not judged."⁴ At the same time God's Word also says, "But he that is spiritual judges all things."⁵ In other words, while we are not to be judgmental towards people, we are to be wise and judge what others do, say, and teach.

Suggested prayer: "Dear God, please give me a love for Your Word so that I will always know the truth of what You say, and so that I am not deceived by what others sayâ€"no matter how appealing their words may seem to be. Help me to always choose the way of Your Truth, no matter how uncomfortable and unpopular that may be. Thank You for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully, in Jesus's name, amen."

Note: See God’s way based on God’s Word, the Bible, for  “How to Be Sure You’re a Real Christianâ€� at: http://tinyurl.com/real-christian.

1. John 14:6 (NIV).
2. Acts 4:12 (NKJV).
3. Matthew 7:13-14 (NIV).
4. Matthew 7:1 (KJV).
5. 1 Corinthians 2:15 (NKJV).

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