by Don Emmitte |
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Then
Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, "Leaders and elders
of our nation, are we being questioned because we've done a good deed for
a crippled man? Do you want to know how he was healed? Let me clearly
state to you and to all the people of Israel that he was healed in the
name and power of Jesus Christ from Nazareth, the man you crucified, but
whom God raised from the dead. For Jesus is the one referred to in the
Scriptures, where it says, `The stone that you builders rejected has now
become the cornerstone.' There is salvation in no one else! There is no
other name in all of heaven for people to call on to save them." The
members of the council were amazed when they saw the boldness of Peter and
John, for they could see that they were ordinary men who had had no
special training. They also recognized them as men who had been with
Jesus. But since the man who had been healed was standing right there
among them, the council had nothing to say. So they sent Peter and John
out of the council chamber and conferred among themselves.
(Acts 4:8-15 NLV). I have thought of myself as a
pretty bright individual. Yet,
with more than one college degree I am at a loss to explain why I cannot
hook up my TV! Let me take you to the beginning. Recently I was awarded a
new television, complete with surround sound system.
At first thought, that seems to be wonderful.
And, it was until I realized there were way too many inputs and
outputs to even begin to attempt hooking it up! I was able to uncrate the
TV and components and actually plug it in to the wall, but that ended my
ability to do anything further. I even resorted to reading the directions!
They were a maze of “ifs and buts.” Fortunately, my good friend, Gary
Chandler knew exactly what to put where and in no time at all it was up
and running. I began to think how similar
life could be when we begin to think of all the claims of the many
different religions. All of
them claim to be a way to heaven, or heavenly bliss.
That fact divides Christianity from all the other religions.
While they may speak of inclusion and universality, there is only
one way according to the New Testament for a man to have eternal life.
That is through the grace extended in Jesus Christ and his atoning
work on the cross. When you look at the maze of inputs and outputs from
the claims of other religions don’t be misled or intimidated.
The way to eternal life is through Christ. She
was only a tiny girl, unused to traveling, and it happened that in the
course of the day, her train crossed two branches of a river and several
wide streams. The water awakened doubts and fears in the child. She did
not understand how it could be safe to cross. As they drew near the river,
however, she saw a bridge across a body of water. Two or three times the
same thing happened: finally, the child leaned back and relaxed.
“Somebody has put bridges for us all the way!” she sighed with relief.
Follow Jesus and you will not need any other directions! |
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