One Way Out of Many

Many years ago I heard a quote, by Will Rogers, that I’ve tucked away in the back of my mind.  It went basically like this:  If we could just stop arguing about how Jesus came into this world, and how he left, and concentrate on what he did and said while he was on earth, we’d be a lot better off.  We are all trying to arrive at the same place according to our own conscience and teachings. It don’t matter which road you take  -  March 11, 1923 Will Rogers.  On the surface, that line of thinking sounds pretty reasonable.  Jesus was a good guy, had lots of good stuff to say, and he lived an exemplary life while he was here.  So why should we get in an uproar on such silly, divisive topics as the Virgin birth and the ascension?  Funny you should ask.  The very issues that cause such consternation, are the ones that authenticate who Jesus was; the son of the Living God.  If we decide to throw out those foundational truths, we might as well put our faith in Will Rogers, or any other man with wise-sounding words.  The belief that following our own conscience, or the teachings of any religion will get us to where we want to go, is humanism. Another term that appeals to so many, because, well after all, we are humans, aren‘t we?  Our adversary, the devil, loves to see us squabble over the best route to Heaven.  Believe me, he above all knows there is only one way, and for that reason, he messes with unconvinced minds. “ But we know that there is only one God, the Father, who created everything, and we live for him. And there is only one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom God made everything and through whom we have been given life.” 1 Corinthians 8:6. As we begin this Christmas/Advent season, re-read all the scriptures, in the old and new testaments, that testify to Christ’s entrance and exit, and be sure you are convinced! Jesus told him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me.”