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Why is Christ the only way?
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Dear Editor,
So, why is Jesus the only way?
The short answer is because God said so! The problem with the short answer is, although true, it doesn’t explain much to the one who is asking the question.
To truly answer the question you have to take the questioner through a theological survey and most are not really that deeply interested. Most just want their question answered in an intelligent yet relative manner.
So, we evangelicals have learned to prove a person to be sinful by showing them they are liars and thieves and then tell them they need Jesus to be right with God and avoid hell. 
At this point the great question that very few ask, but most would like to, comes to the surface. “How does believing in Jesus make me right with God?”
I know this because it’s the question I used to ask those witnessing to me so they would leave me alone.
I’m willing to gamble here and say, most people sitting in our churches today cannot answer this question. They claim to believe but have no understanding of how Jesus saves. They hold to Christ, even worship Him, but could not explain to the one they are witnessing to how believing in Jesus makes him or her right with God.
The Apostle Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 1:18, “The message of the cross is foolish to those who are headed for destruction! But we who are being saved know it is the very power of God.”
Jesus proclaimed in John 3:16, “For God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.”
But I want to show you the key to understanding salvation in Christ Jesus.
In Hebrews 9:22 it says, “For without the shedding of blood, there is no forgiveness.”
This is a mighty statement in our world today. We do not understand the sacrificial system that God has established. 
You cannot come before the Holy and Mighty God without an acceptable blood offering!
We are sinners by nature and by action. We have been separated from God and to come back into right relationship with Him something must die for us. This something must be pure, undefiled and accepted by God or you die.
John 1:29 says, “The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, ‘Look! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!’
Now all good Jews who grew up in Sabbath school knew about the Passover Lamb. The Lamb’s blood was painted over the doorpost and salvation and not death visited their household.
When John proclaimed Jesus as the Lamb of God, these people understood what he was saying.
Good Friday is quickly approaching. This is the day that the High Priest Caiaphas had God’s sacrificial Lamb slaughtered for the people.
At the cross Jesus became the Passover Lamb for anyone who would believe and place their faith in Him.
God has now made a way for us to be saved from death. He has given us life through the Blood of His dear Son the Passover Lamb of God.
Without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness. Without the proper and accepted sacrifice you can’t come to God. 
Matthew 3:17 at Jesus baptism God says,  “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.”
Matthew 17:5 at the Mount of Transfiguration God says, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him.”
John 12:28 after Jesus predicts His death God says, “I have already brought glory to my name, and I will do so again.”
When Jesus died on the cross and the curtain in the sanctuary of the temple was torn all was complete. We can come back to the Father through Jesus Christ His Son. There is no other way!
I pray that this writing will help you answer the question, “Why is Jesus the only way?”
Pastor Thomas R. Swain,
First Church of God,
Great Bend