Today we look at the title question from another angle. One facet of this statement must be examined with this question-“What God Are You Believing?” People think that so long as you believe in a god, they will be fine. This reminds me of a funny scene, but very telling of our culture, in the “Return of The Mummy” movie. The plot was simply this, the evil mummy was aroused from his slumber and he was now wrecking havoc. As he exacting revenge on his ancestral enemies in the current age; he came across this untrustworthy serf. As the mummy was about to slay this fleabag, he began to show the mummy different medals of gods around his neck in hope of one being the representative of the mummy’s god. As the script would have it, the last medal was the icon of the mummy’s deity. Thus his life was spared. The serf had no allegiance to any of the deities he had around his neck; he simply had for them for “good luck”, just in case. He had no intention of serving just one, he would use whichever one he thought would save his hide. Is this not representative of our pluralistic society? This is America at its best!! The message is clear-it doesn’t matter who or what you believe, just so long as you believe.
So, then, we are the crossroads of this question once more- I say I believe in God, that makes me okay, right? The truth is this,however, it’s not a matter of my or your opinion. We are irrelevant to the discussion. It’s a matter of whether the God of the scriptures affirm or deny such a proposition. Has God spoken on this? Yes. The following are God’s statements about the whole pluralistic approach:
1 Kings 8:60 “that all the peoples of the earth may know that the LORD is God; there is no other. Isaiah 44:8 Do not fear, nor be afraid; Have I not told you from that time, and declared it? You are My witnesses. Is there a God besides Me? Indeed there is no other Rock; I know not one.’”
Isaiah 45:5 I am the LORD, and there is no other; There is no God besides Me. I will gird you, though you have not known Me, Isaiah 45:6 That they may know from the rising of the sun to its setting That there is none besides Me. I am the LORD, and there is no other;
These do not even scratch the surface, but, they are definitive enough to answer the question of the multiple choice thinker on salvation; don’t you think?
One more thing, Jesus said. “I am the way, the truth and the life, No man comes unto the Father except through me.” Is this a bigoted declaration or a statement of clarity? How you answer will determine if you’re okay or not. More on Monday.
