Today's Devotional is written by Pastor Roy Summers
Courageous Communists Believers
Having recently read "Tortured for Christ" by Richard Wurmbrand, I was surprised at the courage of the persecuted Christians under the communists.
You and I might have thought that they may have lost their evangelistic edge on account of fear, but exactly the opposite was the case. One butcher wrapped up his meat in tracts. Another group of Christians who worked in a printing shop snuck back at night to print off some Christian tracts.
One man who was converted through Richard Wurmbrand's evangelistic ministry was sent to prison leaving behind a wife and six children, who then began to starve. In prison Richard asked this man if he was angry at Richard for sharing the Gospel with him, to which he replied, “I have no words to express my thankfulness that you have brought me to the wonderful Saviour.”
One reason we in the West are shy of sharing the Gospel is because exclusivity is unfashionable. The Gospel does not teach there are many ways to God, only one, and that is unpopular.
Our well-known memory verse for today reads like this, Jesus said:
"I am the Way the Truth and the Life. No-one comes to the Father except through me." (John 14:6)
Jesus declares himself to be, not A Way, A Truth or A Life: one out of many, and we may all take our pick. He declares himself to be The Way, The Truth and The Life.
This rules out every other religious leader who claims to be a Way, a Truth or a Life. These other religious claims, says Jesus, are false, for no-one can come to God except through him.
Exclusive is the Way all truth works
Our culture does not like exclusive religious claims, but on this matter it is inconsistent. In every other sphere of life truth is always exclusive: this thing is true and that thing is false.
This man shot the sheriff, the other man did not.
This law sums up gravitational attraction, that law does not.
This envelope weight 45 grams, not 30 grams.
And so it goes on...
Truth by its very nature is exclusive; one statement is true, another one is not.
The world is inconsistent, so let's not be cowed by their aversion to exclusive truth; let's continue to preach that Jesus alone is The Way, The Truth and The Life.
Inclusive
What an amazing Gospel we have to share! We know the One who leads us to God. We know the One who reveals to us the truth of God. And by the grace of God we know the only One who can give us eternal life.
And while the Gospel itself is exclusive, it is offered to everyone, irrespective of race, gender, colour or background. The Gospel is offered to everyone who will believe.
Everyone is welcome, everyone is invited.
May the Lord give us courage to boldly proclaim it.
A SONG FOR THE DAY
Our simple song today is a children's song, based on John 14:6.
I am the way the truth and the life
That's what Jesus said
I am the way the truth and the life
That's what Jesus said
Without the way there is no going
Without the truth there is no knowing
Without the life there is no living
I am the way the truth and the life
That's what Jesus said
You can listen HERE
A PRAYER FOR THE DAY
Our all-loving Father in heaven,
We thank you for the privilege of having heard the Gospel with Jesus at the heart of it. We thank you that we have been shown the Way, been taught the Truth and have begun to experience the eternal Life he offers.
May we share this glorious message freely and courageously, to a world that needs to hear of Jesus and his love.
We ask these things in Jesus' Name,
Amen
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