In a pluralistic world that says all roads lead to God, Jesus makes an exclusive claim that offends modern sensibilities. And He makes no apologies for it.
Scripture Focus: John 10:7-9
Jesus says in verse 7: "Truly, truly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep." Then again in verse 9: "I am the door. If anyone enters through Me, he will be saved."
Not a door. The door.
You live in a very pluralistic and inclusive society. It's almost considered harsh, bigoted, and intolerant just to read the plain text of Scripture. Mother Teresa famously said, "I'm not here to change anybody into Christianity. My goal is that a Buddhist becomes a better Buddhist, a Muslim becomes a better Muslim. All paths lead to God in their own way."
That sounds compassionate. It sounds loving. But it's not what Jesus says.
There are not twelve doors to God. There are not three ways. There is one way. And Jesus says, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me."
Now here's what's remarkable about this door metaphor. Doors offer access—but they're also welcoming. My front door when I was a kid literally said "Welcome." We had an open home. Doors are inviting. And the interesting thing is that Jesus is the one who will say in Revelation 3: "I stand at the door and knock."
Think about that. The One to whom we should beg to be let in is actually the One who stands at the door of our hearts and says, "If you let Me in, I'll come dine with you and you dine with Me."
I'm so glad He's not a wall. You don't have to climb over anything to get to Him. You don't have to crawl through a tunnel. The door is open. The invitation is extended.
But it's still the only door.
Not only do doors offer access—they offer security. If you're a sheep of this Shepherd's flock, there is no way that a thief or a robber or the devil can steal you from the shepherd's fold. Jesus says in John 10:27-28: "My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me; and I give eternal life to them, and they will never perish; and no one will snatch them out of My hand."
Do you believe that? There are so many people today who live in fear of losing their salvation. But the Sovereign King of the universe who's also a Good Shepherd says, "No one's taken them out of My hand." And neither will they jump out because the Shepherd takes care of His sheep.
Sin creates a massive gulf between us and God. But Jesus says, "I am the door. If anyone enters through Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture." This is freedom. Total freedom. Not freedom to sin—freedom from sin to live the good life.
The question is: Have you entered through the door? Not through good works. Not through religious activity. Not through being raised in church or knowing the right answers. Through Jesus—and Jesus alone.
1. Have you truly entered through the door of salvation by faith in Jesus Christ alone, or are you relying on something else—your morality, your religious upbringing, your good intentions?
2. How does the exclusivity of the gospel challenge your interactions with people of other faiths? Can you hold to truth with conviction while still showing love and respect?
3. If you're in Christ, do you live with the security that no one can snatch you from His hand? Or do you live in fear of losing your salvation?
Stay dialed in.