A Worthless Witness for Christ<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" />
By: Mark A. Becker 06/26/08
 
06/23/08 AP-The Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life last year surveyed 35,000 American, and found that 70% of respondents agreed with the statement "Many religions can lead to eternal life." Even more remarkable was the fact that 57% of Evangelical Christians were willing to accept that theirs might not be the only path to salvation."
 
 
All Roads Lead to Heaven?
 
I've heard it said: "All roads lead to Heaven." I've also heard it said, "Who am I to tell someone that their belief system is wrong, why should I take a stand against their doctrine?"
 
I've heard these things from Christians.
 
If you hold the above statements to be a true reflection of your belief system; then this article is for you.
 
For Jesus Christ himself proclaimed:
 
 
"I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father, except through me." - John 14: 6-7 (NIV).
 
 
It is clear by the above statement that Jesus does not say: "All roads lead to Heaven."
 
Why is it so easy for people to understand that all roads do not lead to certain destinations here on earth, but are totally ignorant that the same applies spiritually?
 
For the Apostle Paul elaborates on the message of this unique salvation found only in Jesus and the fate that awaits those who reject it:
 
 
"He will punish those who do not know God and do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. They will be punished with everlasting destruction and shut out from the presence of the Lord and from the majesty of his power…" - 2 Thessalonians 1:8-9 (NIV)
 
 
And you're still not willing to share the Truth and point out errors to those who's ultimate destination is destruction?
 
 
"I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile." - Romans 1:16 (NIV)
 
 
Is it because of your lack of wisdom in the things of God, or is your intention to not 'rock the boat' of tolerance?
 
Creator and Savior, Jesus Christ, bought us with the price of His life and separation from His Father, so that one day we could be with Him.
 
 
"Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God's one and only Son." - John 3:18 (NIV)
 
 
OK, that takes care of Islam, Sikhism, Buddhism, Hinduism, Taoism and any other religious 'ism's' out there.
 
Surely, you can defend and proclaim your faith against these demonically inspired religions. Can't you?
 
What about the Christian Cults and false teaching?
 
Ah, this is where it gets interesting.
 
Do you know why Mormon, Catholic, and Jehovah's Witness doctrines (to name a few) lead people astray?
 
Can you explain to others how and why the teachings of today's prominent 'prosperity' and 'social' gospel pastors deceive their flocks?
 
Have you warned those within ear shot of the demonic dangers and the Salvation ending results of the New Age movement and Eastern mysticism entering the front doors of our Churches today?
 
Do you sound the call against spiritual perversion such as the Lost Gospels, The Secret, The DaVinci Code, Oprah's promotion of the New Age program 'A Course in Miracles,' and Eckart Tolle's 'A New Earth?' To name a few.
 
 
"For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths." - 2 Timothy 4:3-4 (NIV)
 
 
The fact of the matter is, if you don't know your Bible, you don't know what and why you believe it. This can be the only acceptable explanation for your belief that, 'All roads lead to Heaven.'
 
 
"Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it." - Matthew 7:13-14
 
 
As hard as mankind has tried, there are no 'off roads' leading to Heaven.
 
Knowing the truth that the road to eternal life is narrow and only found in Jesus, should light a fire in every Christian heart.
 
We know the cause and we know the cure:
 
 
"For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord." - Romans 6:23 (NIV).
 
 
Before Jesus left the Earth to return to His rightful place in Heaven, He gave a command to His disciples:
 
 
"It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by His own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." - Acts 1:7-8 (NIV).
 
 
Throughout the New Testament it is the call of all Christians to proclaim the Truth and not keep it to one's self. Why?
 
So much more, than a matter of life and death - when eternity is involved.
 
Jesus said:
 
 
"I am the true vine and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit, he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful." - John 15:1-2 (NIV).
 
 
'Fruit' refers to works and witness. You can't have one without the other!
 
For the believer, the truth found only in Jesus and the knowledge that He is the only way, should be proclaimed to all souls that the Christian comes in contact with.
 
Do you? Do you share Jesus with others? The percentages say that you don't. (Only 2% according to Bill Right, author of The Coming Revival, http://www.livingwaters.com/pastor.shtml)
 
Take heed! If you are not a living witness for Christ, according to the above verse, the Father will cut you off!
 
Don't tell me that you can't communicate the love and truth of God. If you have a voice and you have family and friends, you have an audience. If you are shy, just let God's peace shine through, make yourself available and have a reason for the faith you have at all times.
 
If you have a willing heart and a passion for God, then the only thing missing is the knowledge and wisdom found only in Jesus. Here is your remedy:
 
 
"If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind." - James 1:5-6
 
 
One last reminder:
 
 
"Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved." - Acts 4:12 (NIV)
 
 
Judge Lest Ye Be Judged?
 
As long as I still have your ear (eye)…
 
Another modern day barrier to Christian witnessing is the most misunderstood, misrepresented verse in the Bible:
 
 
"Do not judge, or you too will be judged." - Matthew 7:1 (NIV).
 
 
I believe a more applicable, accurate wording of this passage would be:
 
"Do not be judge, or you too will be judged."
 
I believe this for the following reasons.
 
The Apostle Paul makes a profound statement:
 
 
"Do you not know that we will judge angels? How much more the things of this life!" - 1 Corinthians 6:3 (NIV).
 
 
Paul is saying, not suggesting, that we do have a right and obligation as Christians and witnesses to the Truth to judge 'the things of this life.'
 
We are not to be judge and carry out punishment.
 
For how can we share the Truth without judgment based upon the Law of God?
 
Both references to Jesus' quote found in Scripture expand on this idea in the following verses respectively:
 
 
"Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned." - Luke 6:37b (NIV)
 
"For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you." - Matthew 7:2 (NIV)
 
 
Both warnings of becoming judge, jury and executioner. Not the act of judging itself.
 
 
Conclusion
 
 
"If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me and for the gospel will save it. What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, yet forfeit his soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul? If anyone is ashamed of me and my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will be ashamed of him when he comes in his Father's glory with the holy angels." - Mark 8:34b-37 (NIV)
 
 
It is my prayer that all people will find faith in Jesus Christ and a make a personal commitment to develop a deeper understanding of the spiritual Truth's we as Christians are to proclaim.
 
My desire is God's desire. That all come to Him. I want all to hear the words - all Christians long to hear:
 
"Well done, good and faithful servant!"
 
For I don't want anybody to be in front of God Almighty and here Him say:
 
"I never knew you. You were A Worthless Witness for Christ".
 
 
JJB