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“The Only Approach to God”
Recently, one mantra that became quite popular was, “I am living my own truth.” It contends each person lives by their own standards of truth for his or her life. One celebrity tried to use it to escape criminal charges declaring she was not guilty because according to her truth she did what was right. This is one example that demonstrates the pluralistic nature of our culture.
This principle is especially evident in religious matters. God is whoever or whatever you desire him to be. There is no objective instruction to guide people in their pursuit of faith. Of course, this is an issue because the Bible makes many claims to be the only objective truth that leads to faith and to a relationship with God (cf. Rom. 10:17; 2 Tim. 3:16-17; 2 Pet. 1:3; Ps. 119:105, et. al). Consider one of the most well-known passages in John’s gospel, “Jesus said to him, ‘I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me’” (John 14:6). This passage is exclusive and runs perpendicular to our world’s pluralistic worldview. If you’re going to approach God it must be through Jesus Christ.
You must approach God through Jesus because he is the way to God. In Jesus’ approximately 30 year earthly life, he showed the world how God desires each of us to live. Thus, a disciple must live as Jesus did and submit to his commandments (1 Pet. 2:25; 1 John 2:5-6). In addition, Jesus’ death and resurrection provided a new covenant that gave the entire world access to God without the Law of Moses (1 John 2:1). We can now behold God with “unveiled face” (2 Cor. 3:18).
You must approach God through Jesus because he is the truth. Jesus is the embodiment of truth. John stated that Christ was full of “grace and truth” (John 1:14, 18). He made God known to us in human terms, and his word must govern our lives (John 14:21).
You must approach God through Jesus because he is the life. Jesus is the originator of life (John 1:4). Jesus’ life provided eternal life for all of humanity (John 3:16). He paid sin’s death penalty, and you now have the free gift of eternal life (Rom. 6:23).
In matters of faith, we’re expected to follow God’s objective truth. There is only one way to approach him. It is through Jesus Christ.
