Is Christianity Exclusive? (Part One)

Christianity is exclusive...

Christianity has been called the world’s most exclusive religion. After all, it presents a view of God, and God’s kingdom, that is completely centered and focused on a single requirement. Other religions offer a system of regulations and religious practices you can follow, beliefs to adhere to, and ways of life for you to carry out. The idea is that, as you try your hardest to do your best, God (or Allah, or Jehovah, or whoever) will see your heart and, perhaps, fill in the gaps in your flawed and imperfect obedience. There are any number of faith systems that offer this to you. The methods and the requirements vary, but the general gist is the same: do your best to obey, and you’ll most likely get in. We can’t guarantee it, but your odds are better than average.

Not so with Christianity (or, as the first adherents called it, “The Way”). There is one, single, unalterable and unbending requirement to get in “good with God” according to the Bible (the Bible is the source of Christian beliefs--as opposed to other pseudo-Christian faith systems, such as Roman Catholicism, which has a large body of church tradition that is held on equal footing with the Bible). There is just one requirement a person must meet in order to be forgiven of her sins and transferred from the status of “under wrath” to the status of “justified.” That requirement is this: Jesus has to save you.

Huh? Why did I make it seem like the requirement is something that Jesus does, rather than something that you need to do? The reason why is because that is what the Bible teaches. Contrary to what every single other religion teaches (that I know of, and I am a student of the religious philosophy, for what that’s worth), in Christianity there is nothing you can do--at all--to merit God’s favor. When it comes to salvation, you can do absolutely nothing to earn it. It all totally, fully, completely rests on Jesus Christ’s work to save you. He lived the perfectly obedient life you never could. Yet he died like a murderer, taking the punishment sinners like us deserve. He pulled a cosmic switcharoo, effectively saving everyone who believes in Him. Only those who believe this, repent of their sins (because who wouldn’t, after seeing how much God loves them in sacrificing His own Son?), and trust in Jesus’ finished work will be saved.

Because of this, Christianity is exclusive. The world’s spiritual and religious landscape is rife with false doors that lead to dead ends, and Jesus is the only door that leads to God’s kingdom. Enter through Him, the self-proclaimed “narrow gate” (Matthew 7:13), and you will be saved. Saved out of the kingdom of darkness, of sin, of destruction, of addiction, of crime, of rebellion against God, of living your life outside of God’s grace and goodness. Saved into God’s kingdom, full of forgiveness and mercy, kindness, purpose, and pleasure. And Jesus is the only way in. Period. Scripture could not be more clear on this.

That is why the first Christians were called “followers of the Way.” The “Way” is not a system; the Way is a Person. He is a human being, who is also God incarnate. Two natures (one human, one divine), one man, one perfect bridge between God and humanity. Jesus is the perfect person to bridge the otherwise uncrossable chasm between sinful people (yes, you are sinful--I am too--we’ll talk about that more in a second) and the holy and perfect God. So Christianity is exclusive. Any Christian who is honest will agree with that.

But God’s kingdom is also astonishingly inclusive. I don’t have space here, so I’ll explain why in part two of this article. Stay tuned.

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Joel Settecase is the Associate Pastor for Evangelism & Student Ministry at Grace Pointe Church in Plainfield, IL, located at the intersection of 143rd St. & Route 30 (behind Family Video). You are invited to GPP’s worship service, this Sunday at 9:00AM. Email Joel at jsettecase@gracepointe.us.