Exclusive Savior Exclusive Praise

It must be reemphasized that in this land of freedom and in this age where post-modern, pluralistic thinking reigns, you are free to invent, redefine, and accept anything you want! You can follow any ‘god’ you choose to, however, if you are going to attach yourself in any way to the Bible, in terms of identifying your ‘god’ or to Jesus Christ, you cannot be a pluralist…for God’s self-revelation will not allow for it. As J. Greshem Machen so aptly said, you are free to invent your own religion…just don’t call it Christianity! This name is taken!

God has revealed himself through the Scriptures of the Old & New Testament; clearly explaining his attributes, expectations, perceptions of us the creation, the means of restoration, the promise of a future judgment for all, and the consequence for our rebellion.

The exclusivity of God boils down to the eternality of God; his perfections are eternally perfect. Therefore, our sin (rebellion) is eternal rebellion and has an eternal consequence in terms of punishment. This is why hell will last forever (Revelation 20.10).

The only means by which the anger of God towards humanity is removed is through an eternally meritorious sacrifice, there must be something of value that is offered to God. We as creation cannot be like little children and bring God mud-pies from the backyard when he has infinitely higher standards ;->

The only one who is eligible to satisfy God’s wrath, that is to make God favorable, or propitious is the Son of God, Jesus Christ.

For it is he alone who possesses the eternal eligibility to bring the holy, righteous, perfect, and pleasing sacrifice to the Father (Hebrews 7.25-28).

Not only is he eligible, but he was willing! Jesus Christ was willing to die for sinners and he did, offering himself as a sacrifice to the Father for the judgment of sinners.

Hebrews 9:14 how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without blemish to God, purify our conscience from dead works to serve the living God.

No other religious figure is eternal. God makes no provision for other ways. Jesus says he is the only way.

John 14:6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me.

In order for God to accept everybody, he must reject his son, calling him a liar (1 John 4.10), and judging his death and resurrection as a mistake.

Instead, God has received this sacrifice from the son as pleasing and has furnished proof of his acceptance by raising him from the dead. And it is this acceptance that is the means by which sinners may be accepted. And it is through Christ that God receives exclusive praise.

Possibly Related posts:

1. God is an Exclusivist! conclusion
2. God is an Exclusivist! part 5 -the exclusive forgiveness
3. What is the penalty for one sin? (new evangelism tract)
4. Why Jesus is to be valued above all else, part ii :: because of his unique qualifications as Savior
5. This is my beloved Savior, with whom I am well pleased

3 Responses to “Exclusive Savior Exclusive Praise”

1. Lawrence of Arabia says:

   December 24, 2006 at 12:54 pm

   i think the only question in whether or not all are saved is whether or not god’s saving will in christ extends to all. if it does, then to deny that god will not accept everyone is the real act of denying god.

   if god’s saving will does not extend to all….well, then that is just a whole ‘nother set of problems.

   LoA.
2. erik says:

   December 27, 2006 at 8:39 am

   LoA: do you hold a universalist position? That all people will be saved (without distinction). Or do you believe that all paths lead to God, and the grace of Christ covers all sincere worshipers regardless of their take on Jesus? Or perhaps something else?

   I’m unclear as to your comment/position. thanks.
3. Lawrence of Arabia says:

   December 28, 2006 at 4:22 pm

   i think if you are augustinian and/or reformed (i am the first and i have a great deal of respect for the latter) then one of your principle issues is the sovereignty of god. so you have to commit to the effectiveness of the divine will revealed in christ. now you can hold a couple of positions i suppose: either that the saving will of god in christ is for everyone or that it is not. in the case of the latter you are led down the double predestination path, by implication if nothing else. i think there is some biblical warrant for such a position, but it is not the one i would argue for if push came to shove. in the case of the former you look to christ as the mirror of our salvation.

   i have no issues saying that no one is saved outside of or apart from christ.

   best wishes,
   LoA.