“Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.”
John 14:6 NKJV
As simple a statement this is and emphatic at best, it is one that most people have a hard time coming to grips with. We often fight this message with “What about those who never knew about Jesus? They’re such nice people.”
This very concern is answered in Romans 2:12-16,
“For as many as have sinned without law will also perish without law, and as many as have sinned in the law will be judged by the law 13 (for not the hearers of the law are just in the sight of God, but the doers of the law will be justified; 14 for when Gentiles, who do not have the law, by nature do the things in the law, these, although not having the law, are a law to themselves, 15 who show the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and between themselves their thoughts accusing or else excusing them) 16 in the day when God will judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ, according to my gospel.“
People want to stop what’s coming for noble-sounding causes and excuses. We can’t buy time. We can only try to give out the message in order to reach those who are destined to believe. Obviously, no one likes to be beaten with clubs. Even if we don’t literally beat people with clubs, there is the good ‘ol tactic of making bogus charges against the innocent. They did it to Jesus and they will certainly do it to His followers.
If you are worried about what’s coming, take comfort in His promise.
“Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. 2 In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also. 4 And where I go you know, and the way you know.”
John 14:1-4 NKJV
“For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me. 39 This is the will of the Father who sent Me, that of all He has given Me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up at the last day. 40 And this is the will of Him who sent Me, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in Him may have everlasting life; and I will raise him up at the last day.”
John 6:38-40 NKJV
“And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell. 29 Are not two sparrows sold for a copper coin? And not one of them falls to the ground apart from your Father’s will. 30 But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. 31 Do not fear therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows.“
Matthew 10:28-31 NKJV
This is an equal opportunity appeal, but to those who choose their own way,
“But you do not have His word abiding in you, because whom He sent, Him you do not believe. 39 You search the Scriptures, for in them you think you have eternal life; and these are they which testify of Me. 40 But you are not willing to come to Me that you may have life.“
John 5:38-40 NKJV
“But everyone who hears these sayings of Mine, and does not do them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand: 27 and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it fell. And great was its fall.”
Matthew 7:26-27 NKJV
If you knew the rain was coming, wouldn’t you take cover?
Related read: Répondez S’il Vous Plaît (RSVP)