A Superior Savior

By Jack Graham

Published: July 01, 2008

The Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life released a report Monday from a major national survey taken last year. The survey asked about religious identification, beliefs and practices. The vast majority of Americans questioned, say they believe in God (or a “universal spirit”). But substantial majorities from all major religious categories say they believe their religion is not the only path to eternal life and there is not just one correct version of faith. This includes evangelicals and Southern Baptists who said by a clear majority of 57-60% that other religions besides Christianity can led to eternal life.

A whopping 85% of members from mainline churches such as Methodist, Lutheran, United Presbyterian understand there is more than one way to Heaven. Catholics weighed in at 79% who said Jesus is not the only way to salvation. In Texas, the so called buckle of the Bible belt, 65% said you can get to God by your religion of choice.

Are you surprised at these overwhelming numbers of acceptance and tolerance? I'm not. We have been observing a growing willingness of people in America to reject Biblical Christianity in favor of an eclectic homogenized form of religion which has as a supreme goal of religious tolerance.

Many claim it is offensive and even bigoted to say that the Christian faith is superior to others. How dare someone say that Jesus is the only way to Heaven and salvation is found in Him alone.

The exclusivity of Christ is the major point of resistance by most unbelievers and it is a volatile discussion among friends and family members. Of course when you begin with the cultural relativism that pervades our times and believe that all truth is relative, you soon conclude that it is not just one truth that is absolute. Yet the concept of God alone being our Savior is common in both the Old and New Testament. For example, Isaiah 43:11 "I, I am the LORD, and besides me is no Savior."

God our only Savior, sent His only Son, Jesus, to provide salvation. Jesus is called our Great God and Savior in Titus 2:13.

"waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ,"

Jesus came to be the Savior of the world. That includes the world of all religions, all races, all nations and generations. The love and grace of God is inclusive of all but it is exclusive in that only Jesus can save.

Jesus claimed this in John 14:6.

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

The apostles proclaim it 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.

This is the difference of the Christian faith and all the religions of the world. Religion is man's effort to please God and earn eternal life. But Jesus came because we cannot save ourselves and He died and rose again to give us a hope and future with Him in Heaven.

Without Jesus we have only the puny efforts of religion that cannot save or even help to save. We need so much more than religion - we need a Savior. It is true...one religion is as good as another - none of them can save from sin and provide eternal life. Only Jesus saves.

The problem is people don't want Jesus. They want a religious salad bar to pick and choose what they like and want to believe. People choose idolatry - a designer religion, rather than the one true God and Savior.

One final word on this today. Is tolerance and acceptance of all gods really a virtue? Paul commends the warnings of the Old Testament against false religions with these words.

"No, I imply that what pagans sacrifice they offer to demons and not to God. I do not want you to be participants with demons. You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons. You cannot partake of the table of the Lord and the table of demons. Shall we provoke the Lord to jealousy? Are we stronger than he?" 1 Corinthians 10:20-22

So here it is - any religion that does not worship the God and Savior of the Bible is worshipping demons! What do you think? Let me hear from you...Jack.

Originally posted on 6/24/08 by Dr. Jack Graham. PowerPoint® Ministries is the radio and television broadcast ministry of Dr. Jack Graham in Dallas, Texas. Dr. Graham is the pastor of Prestonwood Baptist Church, one of the nation's largest, most dynamic congregations. Powerpoint is also a Broadcast Partner of 316 Networks.