In light of the recent trend in Jesus Christ as only one of many paths to enlightenment or reaching God, and what Txxx brought up in the meeting of the brothers about people of different faith seemingly receiving revelation from God, I have put in some thoughts on how such an approach actually excludes and distances people from their maker instead of making the way to the divine more reachable.
Txxx crystallized his skepticism about Christianity's exclusive claim of the narrow and straight path to heaven with the accounts of three people: One a Buddhist, another a Christian and the other not of any particular faith. The common denominator underpinning these individuals of different age, gender and faith is that they seem to know when they will die, and prepared for it in a similar way. The conclusion was that to have such revelation it must have been a communication with God (or at least the spiritual world); but such that they do not share the same faith it must be then that God is available to us in at least more than one way.
With such view, the key to salvation or enlightenment is not dependent on which faith one subscribes to, but on ourselves to choose one and walk it. The emphasis then is not on the path, but the diligent journey one makes in terms of all the familiar doctrines of doing good and refraining from evil, and faithfully following the guidance of the general spirit shared by all credible religions of today. How well one walks and how far one reaches in this spiritual journey determines how close he or she is to enlightenment and building up of spiritual credit for heavenly rewards. I am not an expert on this new age religion, but I don't think I am far off with this assessment.
Essentially, the focus is on our own self-effort with religion as a guiding principle or spiritual map. There is true wisdom in this belief and I am certain it is born out of truth as it was in the Old Testament covenant of the Ten Commandants. Just as the new covenant of grace does not abolish the law but to fulfill it, neither does it discredit anyone sincerely and humbly searching for God in pure faith. A familiar argument against Christ as the only way to salvation is to bring up a native growing up on an island never hearing the gospel. After all, the majority of people in the world and through out history never heard of Jesus Christ. Is God not their God, and are they forever condemned to live in hell?
I believe, just as in the days of Abraham, who was not always truthful, there are people of great and pure faith in the one true God, who walks in such close relationship with Him. Noah found favor (grace) with God, Enoch walked with God, and Jabez's prayer was answered by Him. I believe through out the ages until even today, there are people outside of the Christian circle who are close to God in faith -- for He has given each of us an inner voice, a general conscience to know Him. We don't need to hear of Him, He whispers to us...but often is drowned by the cacophony of the world and flesh. And it is true that many non-religious people are even more righteous than an average Christian.
However, of the fortunate few who walks close to God, billions are left in the wilderness. If only the virtuous and faithful can be with God, most of us are doomed. And that is not where God's heart lies. And even the virtuous can never be sure if they are good enough, or if tomorrow they will not be stricken by the serpent. If it is up to our self-effort to reach salvation we are left in a constant flux of pride, uncertainty or shame; arrogance, doubt or despair. The system of this world is Self-effort, where an endless process of disqualification weed out the unworthy, leaving only people with rare talent, prowess and beauty meriting of praise and reward; and it seems God judges us the same if by law and faith, that few is worthy.
(On the surface, it seems an open religion is inclusive by letting in all people; but it is in the journey that many are left behind through degrees of work, understanding and enlightenment. Christianity may first appear to be exclusive by presenting the one and only door; but to open it all one has to do is knock in faith, and no more is required for entry and stay. Hallelujah!)
But a loving God even loves the least lovable. The rejected, the sickly, the filthy, the hateful...thieves, cheaters and murderers. And that is our merciful Father in heaven. "He so loved the world that He sent His one and only son, so that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life." What better news can we have but to know that God gave of Himself to save us, and by His shed blood, death and resurrection we are forgiven, healed and have life everlasting? Jesus Christ became the serpent on our behalf, and was hung on the tree of judgment to suffer the punishment we deserve. Just as important, it is now by His faith, not ours, we enter the inner sanctum of God, which veil was torn when he cried, "It is accomplished!' so we can be near Him. No longer do we need to ask, "Am I virtuous enough?" or "Do I have enough faith?" for all we need is to believe that Christ is faithful and pleasing to God, and so we are.
Trust in the Lord that he saves, heals and provides. In Christ we have the living proof of His grace and promise. Abraham had the same trust even without knowing Christ. The first mention of "love" and "worship" appeared in the account of God asking Abraham to sacrifice Issac. It referred to "...your son, your only son, whom you love...," foreshadowing His own sacrifice; but Abraham never expressed doubt in the plan of God, although I can only imaging the anguish he must have felt about to lose his son. He trusted the Lord and presented his son in worship, which is his heart given to the Lord, and the Lord was pleased. And Jesus spoke to him, "Abraham, Abraham, do not touch the lad, for I will offer myself in his place." Whenever a name is mentioned twice, it is Jesus calling in tender endearment. And now that we have Jesus, we don't have to wonder anymore if we need to have the faith of Abraham to enter the gates of heaven. Does He want to keep us out of His kingdom, or is it His deepest desire to bring us under His wings to protect and nurture us? Can there be any doubt left in one's heart when we behold his shattered body nailed on the cross the immensity of His love? He was spared not one ounce of pain, rejection nor deprivation for all his children upon the frail and very human form for He loves you so...and loves me so. Amen
Today, why do we still cling to the notion of earning our way to salvation when Christ Himself have already done the work more perfectly than we can ever hope to accomplish? When Christ said, "Just believe..." why do so many reject it as too simplistic and not fair to the ones "living right?" Isn't it rooted in self-glorification and wanting to earn one's way to the heavenly rewards? But to do so rejects the grace of God, for grace is unearned, unmerited favor from God, and not a bit of credit we can boast in. For those who believes that there are many paths to God, think of the fellow humanity who do not have the opportunity or will to walk those paths as well as the few, how they can be saved? If you are on the path to a merciful God, then it is not so hard to believe that this kindhearted heavenly father will offer Himself as the one and true redemption for every single person that ever walked on this earth -- no qualification required.
And if that is not so hard to believe, then look to Jesus Christ -- for all one can ask of and expect in a loving God, a caring creator, a doting father, can be found on His person and brief walk in human life. For if one thinks about it a little deeper, there is no other way for God to be both just and loving to save His rebellious children from the jaws of death. But since God is a spirit, it must be in spirit that we accept this gift of life, which is all it takes -- just believe.
In Christ,
James
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