Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!cs.utexas.edu!swrinde!zaphod.mps.ohio-state.edu!ub!rutgers!aramis.rutgers.edu!athos.rutgers.edu!christian From: ronnin@dsp.analog.com (Ronnin Yee) Newsgroups: soc.religion.christian Subject: Re: One way to Heaven Message-ID: Date: 2 Jun 91 05:26:59 GMT Sender: hedrick@athos.rutgers.edu Organization: Analog Devices, Norwood MA Lines: 69 Approved: christian@aramis.rutgers.edu The question is: Why is Jesus essential to Salvation? One of the questions that we need to answer first is, "What is Salvation?" The first thoughts that come to mind are "going to heaven", "staying out of hell", and "never dying". Yes, these are true but there is a little more to it than this. Let me sugguest that to live forever in our current state is not heaven, but could even become a living death. "The mind of sinful man is death, but the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace;" (Romans 8:6, NIV) We are confronted by two choices: (1) To submit ourselves to God and God's ways and, in so doing, live, or (2) continue to rebel against God and do what we want to do. "the sinful mind is hostile to God. It does not submit to God's law, nor can it do so. Those controlled by the sinful nature cannot please God." (Romans 8:7,8 NIV) Salvation is God enabling us to be cleansed, become obedient to Him and become like Him in character. Christ's death has made cleansing possible. The Holy Spirit has opened the way so that we may learn to be obedient to God and "be transformed" to become more like Him. However, we must decide to turn from our own ways and follow God's. This is the only way to escape from the bonds of sin and be reconciled to God. God can not give salvation to those who rebel against Him because obeying Him, being like Him, being in His presence IS SALVATION! (Can you imagine being in His unobstructed presence being the way you are now and unrepentant? =8-| ) So what does this have to do with Jesus? ' Philip said, "Lord, show us the Father and that will be enough for us." Jesus answered: "Don't you know me, Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father ..." ' (John 14:8,9) There are many arguments I could use, but let me give a simple one. Anyone who studies Jesus and doesn't see the Father, doesn't know the Father. Jesus said, "If you really knew me, you would know my Father as well." Conversely, if you really knew the Father, you would recognize Jesus also. How can other religions lead to salvation if they describe it as a different place? Someone who denies Jesus Christ is not heading in the direction He represents. Someone who denies Jesus, yet hopes to be with God, does not know God and in trying to please (appease) God, will not get any closer to Him. To follow Jesus is the only Way. (As for love, Jesus says, "Love your enemies." Remember when God is talking about love, He is talking about LOVE (agape) -- unconditional and unfailing. By very definition, impossible for man {prereq: infinite strength, boundless patience}. It can only come from God.) "... His sheep will follow Him because they know His voice." (John 10:5) -ry ronnin.yee@analog.com !uunet!analogdv!ronnin.yee [Few Christians claim that other religions lead of themselves to salvation. The "liberal" claim is rather that Jesus can speak to people directly in their heart, despite whatever misunderstandings they may have. --clh]