Be Politically Incorrect

“Jesus answered, ‘I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.’” John 14:6

We are living in an age of political correctness that goes far beyond being kind and thoughtful. Today’s rules demand that we do our best to never say anything that might possibly offend someone. The result is scores of people walking on pins and needles, sacrificing truth and plain old common sense for popular opinion.

Do you know what is perhaps the most politically incorrect statement you can make today? “Jesus is the only way to God.” If you dare utter these words, get ready to be called intolerant, narrow-minded, and arrogant. It is becoming more and more apparent that being intolerant is the greatest wrong in today’s culture. Apparently society is tolerant of any viewpoint except one that claims to be uniquely true. This attitude is shutting the mouths of Christ followers all over the United States. Currently, only 12% of Americans claim that their religion is the only true faith, yet 73% identify as Christians.

How would Jesus have fared in this culture of “what’s true for you isn’t true for me?” It has become quite popular to talk about how loving Christ was of sinners…of people who weren’t like Him. And He was. But what about His words in John 14:6? What about when He clearly stated that no one could get to God except through Him? Was Jesus intolerant and arrogant? Was He lying?

The definite article, “the” in Christ’s statement assures us that the Gospel is not one of many ways to God. Jesus is the way, not a way. It is unloving to skirt around this truth. There is one way to eternal life, and that is through Jesus Christ. Most people reading this probably agree with that statement. The struggle is not in believing, it is in sharing this message in a culture that attacks not only your beliefs, but also your character for believing this way.

The tension between grace and truth is real…and let’s be honest, it is hard to navigate. But we cannot let popular opinion, or even our own need to be liked, keep us from sharing the most important truth on the planet. We must persevere, despite the opposition, in boldly sharing the Gospel with grace, love, and kindness.

Dear Lord, thank you that your word is absolute truth and that you can always be trusted. Give me discernment and wisdom as I decipher between what is true in your Word and what others share based on opinion. In Jesus' name, amen.