John 5:45

Jesus’ Words to the religious leaders of the day beg the following question to us as well – Upon Whom, whom or what are our hopes set when we will stand before the infinite, eternal and unchangeable Father? Whom, whom or what will we trust in? Whom, whom or what will we rely upon? Whom, whom or what will we place our confidence in?

9 For this very reason, Christ died and returned to life so that he might be the Lord of both the dead and the living. 10 You, then, why do you judge your brother? Or why do you look down on your brother? For we will all stand before God's judgment seat. 11 It is written: "'As surely as I live,' says the Lord, 'every knee will bow before me; every tongue will confess to God.'" 12 So then, each of us will give an account of himself to God. Romans 14:9-12 (NIV)

The Jewish people trusted in the fact that the Law was given to them by God through Moses. They reasoned their salvation was secure because they had in the Law the “embodiment of knowledge and truth”. We find in Romans:

17 Now you, if you call yourself a Jew; if you rely on the law and brag about your relationship to God; 18 if you know his will and approve of what is superior because you are instructed by the law; 19 if you are convinced that you are a guide for the blind, a light for those who are in the dark, 20 an instructor of the foolish, a teacher of infants, because you have in the law the embodiment of knowledge and truth-- Romans 2:17-20 (NIV)

So far, so good – I am confident as Paul was talking they were nodding their heads in agreement. Indeed they did have the Law; indeed they did have relationship with God through the path of the Patriarchs yet the kicker came in the following verses which demonstrated that they too were found wanting:

21 you, then, who teach others, do you not teach yourself? You who preach against stealing, do you steal? 22 You who say that people should not commit adultery, do you commit adultery? You who abhor idols, do you rob temples? 23 You who brag about the law, do you dishonor God by breaking the law? 24 As it is written: "God's name is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you." Romans 2:21-24 (NIV)

The Law was given to show us our need – giving us knowledge of our sin - as we all fall short of its perfection – Jew and Gentile alike. The Law did not save; it simply showed us our need for a Savior. Moses prophesized the coming Savior in Deuteronomy:

15 The LORD your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among your own brothers. You must listen to him. Deut 18:15 (NIV)

18 I will raise up for them a prophet like you from among their brothers; I will put my words in his mouth, and he will tell them everything I command him. 19 If anyone does not listen to my words that the prophet speaks in my name, I myself will call him to account. Deut 18:18-19 (NIV)

Christ came not as our accuser but as our Advocate to reconcile sinful man to a holy, infinite, eternal and unchangeable God. Indeed, instead of accusing his accusers on the cross He prays to forgive them. Man’s only hope for salvation is through the blood sacrifice of Jesus. Christianity makes this exclusive claim – not a very popular idea then and certainly not in our day of religious tolerance either. If we embrace the exclusivity of Christ we are often called narrow or intolerant. The god of religious tolerance espouses all doctrines of faith to be AOK – readily accepted – if it is good for you it is good for you; if it is good for me it is good for me- whatever you want to believe is just peachy. Yet because of our “loving” tolerance of all religions we, as believers, are “loving” people straight into Hell by our lack of witness to the Truth. There is a difference in religious beliefs - it is like mixing oil with water – they simply do not blend. No other religion apart from Christianity gives assurance of reconciliation to a holy God because no other religion provides a Savior – it is all in what man can perform – and that, my friends will always be wanting. Christ tells us:

6 Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. John 14:6 (NIV)

“Unschooled and ordinary” Peter put it this way to the religious leaders of his day:

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." Acts 4:12 (NIV)

It is God’s desire for all men to be saved and come to this knowledge of the Truth. Paul tells us in 1Timothy:

1 I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone-- 2 for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. 3 This is good, and pleases God our Savior, 4 who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. 5 For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, 6 who gave himself as a ransom for all men--the testimony given in its proper time. 7 And for this purpose I was appointed a herald and an apostle--I am telling the truth, I am not lying--and a teacher of the true faith to the Gentiles. 1 Tim 2:1-7 (NIV)

“My hope is built on nothing less than Jesus’ blood and righteousness. I dare not trust the sweetest frame, but wholly lean on Jesus’ Name. On Christ the solid Rock I stand, all other ground is sinking sand. All other ground is sinking sand. I trust His righteous character, His council, promise, and His power; His honor and His Name’s at stake to save me from the burning lake; on Christ, the solid Rock, I stand, all other ground is sinking sand.” Edward Mote