Jonathan Falwell has an excellent comment on Barak Obama's statement that moral Jews and Muslims are no less children of God than Christians. Read below.Was Jesus a Liar?
“There are a lot of Jewish people who are just as moral, or even more moral than I am. There are a lot of Muslims who are decent, good, kind people. I don’t think they are any less children of God.” — Senator and presidential candidate Barrack Obama, during a speech this week in Greensboro, N.C.
I find the first part of Sen. Obama’s recent statement to be quite reasonable. In fact, I don’t believe that Christians have cornered the market on decency. (If you don’t believe me, try reading some of my e-mails or taking a few of my phone calls!)
The problem I have with Sen. Obama’s statement is that he was implying that these qualities — goodness and decency and kindness — make us children of God and serve as a means to heaven.
If he wants to believe that, it is certainly his prerogative. However, the problem is this: such sentiment is not what the Bible teaches. According to God’s Word, neither our benevolence, our compassion or our earthly deeds have any bearing on the ultimate destination of our soul.
The only way to heaven, according to Jesus Christ, is belief in Him.
Now, I know that this is not fashionable speech these days. One is seen as being provincial or narrow-minded when expressing such convictions, especially in this age of multiculturalism and diversity.
But listen to the words of Jesus: “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me” (John 14: 6, NKJV).
There is no ambiguity in Jesus’ words. Notice that Jesus did not say that He was “a way” or “one truth.” Rather, he clearly stated that He was “the way.”
He offers no other option.
As representatives of Christ, we are certainly commanded to be caring and at work for God. The Book of James is full of instruction showing that our faith is to be accompanied by good works.
But the point of James is this: our works are representative of our faith in Christ — not the other way around.
The Book of James, written in A.D. 49 to Jewish believers who were reviled by Rome, serves as encouragement to modern Christians who are similarly despised by “mainstream” society.
We find solace in this book because our belief in Christ, as well as our work for Him, often places us at the outskirts of modern thought and “progressive” culture that have no room for the absolutes of the Bible.
Is Jesus Old News?
I find that many people today take this type of position regarding Jesus: “His words were once relevant, but society has changed.”
Let’s look to a couple of biblical passages to address such notions.
“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever” (Hebrews 13:8).
“The counsel of the Lord stands forever …” (Psalm 33:11).
If we are to believe the Bible, Jesus remains relevant today. And He continues to offer salvation to all!
Here’s the bottom line: Every person must come to a place in life wherein they either accept Jesus at His word, or they reject Him.
Indeed, He either truly is the Christ, the Son of the Living God, or He is a liar.
If we follow Christ, we cannot then:
* mold the Bible to fit our needs.
* treat Jesus as simply a “good man.”
* embellish the Gospel with man’s ideas.
We must accept Him or reject Him as He is.
I want to close by saying that I have not written this column with the purpose of criticizing Sen. Obama. Even though I regularly disagree with him, he seems like a genuinely compassionate man who has a desire to serve his nation.
I have written this column solely to advance the cause of Jesus Christ.
I believe Jesus continues to call everyone to Him, even today!
“Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28).
