I would like to deal with a scripture that I have thought a great deal about over the years . This scripture, or at least the misunderstanding of it, has been the cause of much maligning. Christians, of which I am one, have been labeled closed-minded, arrogant, prideful, old-fashioned and other such. All this, without regard to the truth that it was not anyone of us who wrote the scripture – we just happen to believe it.
It Is Written in Acts 4:12,
“Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.”
Now in case you do not know, the name referred to here is the name of Jesus Christ. God’s Word clearly states that Jesus Christ is THE way, THE truth and THE life. There is salvation by no other name.
So, why the name of Jesus Christ? What makes him so special? (A question that has often been thrown at me, not without lack of some disdain I might add.) Well, here again we turn to the scriptures themselves. You see, according to God’s Word, Jesus Christ was God’s only begotten son. As the Son of God, Jesus Christ always did the Father’s will – even to the point of dying on the cross. If you will take a moment to check your Bible you will find that it was not Jesus Christ’s will to die. Nevertheless, he subjected himself to the will of his Father, God.
In living a life of total obedience to his Father, Jesus Christ completed all the work required for man’s redemption and salvation. And what was God’s response to the work that His son had done? He raised him from the dead. What a sign of approval! All through the ages of time, Jesus Christ is the only man that was raised from the dead and is still living today. Therein lies the power in his name. That’s why there is no other name. Buddha was not raised from the dead. Krishna was not raised from the dead. Mohammed was not raised from the dead. Jesus Christ is the only one. And now anyone who so desires can make Jesus Christ their Lord and believe that God raised him from the dead and in an instant of time be saved and have eternal life.
So, now that you know the reason, instead of labeling those who have chosen to accept a salvation that God has so freely made available to all man, why not avail of it yourself? Instead of calling a follower of Jesus Christ closed-minded, why not openly accept the sacrifice of God’s only begotten son? Instead of calling any Christian proud or arrogant, why not humble yourself and make Jesus Christ your Lord? Instead of saying why this and why not that, why not be thankful that God did make a way. And not only just any way, but a way that is so simple and so free – paid for by the life of Jesus Christ.