It’s Not Debatable

"Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.”

John 14:6

  There are many topics that are debated.  Debates are derived from different opinions, interpretations and beliefs.  As Christians there are topics that are debated such as whether baptism is being sprinkled, poured, or immersed in water, whether miracles do or don't occur today, and the list continues.  

               This article is not to debate that which is debatable, it is to ensure that the crux of the gospel is understood as not being debatable.  What is the crux or the “most important point at issue”? That Jesus Christ is the ONLY way to God (John 14:6 - "Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.").  John 14:6 is compelling proof that Jesus is the only way, but to the non-Christian it is debatable because they do not believe.  Peter tells us in 1 Peter 3:15, “…Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have.  But do this with gentleness and respect.”  So, we must remember that when witnessing or asked of our faith that we give answers gently and respectfully without wavering in what we know to be a fact that Jesus is the only source of salvation, the only way to the Father, the only source of eternal life.

            Not everyone believes in Jesus Christ and not everyone will.  It is not our responsibility as Christians to convince people that there is a God because that responsibility is designated for God.  (1 Corinthians 3:6-8 “I planted the seed in your hearts, and Apollos watered it, but it was God who mad it grow.  It’s not important who does the planting, or who does the watering.  What’s important is that God makes the seed to grow. The one who plants and the one who waters work together with the same purpose.  And both will be rewarded for their own hard work.”)  But we do plant and water seeds of redemption that God increases.  No wonder we get so frustrated when we try to persuade people into believing in God…it’s like talking to a brick wall.  Anything or anyone used for a purpose they are not purposed for will always yield heartache, frustration, dead ends, etc.…

            In my past I have been in heated debates about the existence of Jesus and how to receive salvation to only find myself fueling the reasons some people don’t believe in Jesus.  I became more of the problem than the solution.  “Our” efforts to do the work of Jesus never yields fruit without Jesus being in those efforts (John 15:4 “Remain in me, and I will remain in you. For a branch cannot produce fruit if it is severed from the vine, and you cannot be fruitful unless you remain in me.”).  When we operate within our own power to plant and/or water seeds of redemption we risk debating what is not debatable and falling prey to seducing spirits (1 Timothy 4:1 “Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils;”).  We put ourselves in a position to entertain the idea that maybe Jesus is not the ONLY way, maybe it is debatable.

            I have never seen anyone board a plane without a ticket.  You must have a ticket before you get on the plane.  It’s a non-debatable fact.  You can get to the gate and try and reason your way on to the plane, but it’s futile.  Eventually airport security will be called and if the situation is escalated local police will get involved.  You can even argue your point to the local courts, supreme courts, all the way to the President of the United States.  Of course, this issue wouldn’t make it that far, but let’s just say it did.  At the end of all the reasoning and debating your case would be lost because you need a ticket to board the plane.  This holds true for receiving eternal life…. without Jesus Christ no one will receive it.  It is God’s desire to say, “All aboard!” and EVERYONE gets aboard, but not everyone will have Jesus.  GOT JESUS?