Our culture insists there are many faith options and that it’s wrong to compare one religion to another. Jesus did not allow his disciples to entertain that way of thinking. Jesus said, “Truly, truly, I say to you.” In his first words, he insisted that his followers understand that his teaching was truth and that his words were not open for debate or compromise.
What was the truth Jesus insisted his disciples believe? Jesus told them, “Whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life.” Jesus wanted everyone to understand that he had been sent by God and the message was the message of eternal salvation for everyone who would believe. Then, Jesus reemphasized his words, saying that the person who believed “does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life.”
Three of the most troubling words in the English language are, “Well, I believe . . . .” So many in our world today favor their own opinions or ideas about Scripture more highly than the words of Christ. Many will say, “Well, I believe . . . ” and proceed to express their understanding or their position on a verse regardless of the historical and theological understandings held by centuries of believers.
Jesus insisted that his disciples understand and believe that his words were truth and that eternal life depended on a person’s acceptance of that truth. Jesus also insisted his disciples understand there would be a time of judgment that would either allow a person to step from death to life or from death to a second death, an eternity apart from God.
Evangelism has waned in American culture, and the culture reflects the fact that people are lacking the truth of the gospel message. Wisdom is joyfully sharing Christ with others. We know that “whoever hears” the salvation message of Christ, the gospel, and believes Jesus is their Messiah sent by God will be saved. We need to joyfully share the truth with those in our culture who have chosen to believe their own opinions rather than God’s truth. Jesus insisted we understand there is an eternal purpose for our evangelism.
