A Choice of Paths
by Dr. Paul Chappell
“And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus. For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.”
Ephesians 2:6–9
Someone once asked Dr. H. A. Ironside, “There are hundreds of religions in this country, and the followers of each sect think they’re right. How can people like us find out what really is the truth?” Ironside responded, “Did I hear you say there are hundreds of religions? That’s strange; I’ve heard of only two. There are many shades of differences in the first, but they all expect salvation by doing. The other group is all who have been saved by something already done for them.”
There is only one way to Heaven. It is popular in our day to deride the concept of absolute truth and exclusive belief. We are told that while something may be true for us, it isn’t necessarily true for everyone. There is great emphasis placed on accepting differing beliefs as being of equal value and validity. That message may be widely accepted and comforting to many, but it is false. Truth is still truth, and God’s truth is not subject to the whims or opinions of man.
God has decreed that only those who accept the gift of salvation on His terms can receive it. There are no alternative or back up plans available. The desire to gain salvation on our own apart from what God has already provided is an indication of the rebellion and pride that lurks in our hearts as a result of sin. There is no room for pride in those who choose to accept God’s offer of salvation solely through His grace.
Ephesians 2:6–9
Someone once asked Dr. H. A. Ironside, “There are hundreds of religions in this country, and the followers of each sect think they’re right. How can people like us find out what really is the truth?” Ironside responded, “Did I hear you say there are hundreds of religions? That’s strange; I’ve heard of only two. There are many shades of differences in the first, but they all expect salvation by doing. The other group is all who have been saved by something already done for them.”
There is only one way to Heaven. It is popular in our day to deride the concept of absolute truth and exclusive belief. We are told that while something may be true for us, it isn’t necessarily true for everyone. There is great emphasis placed on accepting differing beliefs as being of equal value and validity. That message may be widely accepted and comforting to many, but it is false. Truth is still truth, and God’s truth is not subject to the whims or opinions of man.
God has decreed that only those who accept the gift of salvation on His terms can receive it. There are no alternative or back up plans available. The desire to gain salvation on our own apart from what God has already provided is an indication of the rebellion and pride that lurks in our hearts as a result of sin. There is no room for pride in those who choose to accept God’s offer of salvation solely through His grace.
Today’s Growth Principle:
There is no salvation apart from that offered by grace through faith in Jesus Christ alone.
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