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The Exclusive-Inclusive Jesus

Jesus Christ has an exclusive monopoly on the truth.

John 14:6 “Jesus said to him, ‘I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.’”

Acts 4:12 “And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”

1 Tim. 2:5 “For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus.”

It's interesting how exclusionary radical inclusion has become. Even inclusive people tend to be quite exclusive to those they deem insufficiently inclusive.


The world believes every religion should be open and inclusive—but not open and inclusive enough for a Jesus who claims to be Lord of all.


No one in the history of the world has been more inclusive of repentant sinners than Jesus and no one has been more intolerant of sin. So, you might say that Jesus is offensive because of how inclusive He is. He is offensive because of how exclusive He is. Doubly offensive!


The world preaches tolerance of many viewpoints, but we assert absolute truth that is exclusive. 


Radical inclusion, yes, but through the narrow gate. 

 Jesus Christ has an exclusive monopoly on the truth. Whatever truth you will have, you will have to do business with Him. Again, there is no knowledge of God apart from knowing Jesus Christ. The Son has an exclusive monopoly on knowing the Father.

                                               

Christians, our exclusive identity includes an inclusive impulse that should always put a check on our isolationist tendencies and propel us out into the world in the name of our good King. The missionary God of the gospel draws us in and sends us out. Let’s not become so exclusive we don’t want anyone included in!


Why did they hate Jesus? It wasn’t because he was such a super nice, inclusive guy. Early Christians confessed Jesus as Lord. The world reacted with fury against the Christian’s intolerable intolerance to tolerance.

The command to believe in Jesus Christ can only be obeyed to the exclusion of all other objects of faith—and this cost our Savior his life … and might cost us many things here.


It was scandalous, is scandalous, and always will be scandalous to say that the only way to be counted among God’s people is to enter in through the gate marked Jesus (John 10:7-9). 


The only way the gospel isn't good news to you is if you think you're hot stuff!

There are many roads to hell. There is the only way to God the Father—Jesus Christ the Lord.


If the gospel is not the only way to heaven, it is not any way to heaven. The only way to enter the family of God is by faith and repentance. It’s a narrow gate, but the good news is, it’s a gate that is available to all.


The scandal of Christianity is that Jesus is the only way. We're not saying Jesus is one good way among others. We're not even saying he's the best way among others. We're saying he's the only way. And the good news is that despite our sin, there is still a way!

We have been warned: This is a time of testing. It will cost you to remain faithful


The best place in the world is the center of God's will but that place may not safe.


Let’s make much of this exclusive Gospel that has radical inclusion for all who believe on Jesus Christ.