I am the LORD, and there is no other; apart from me there is no God. (Isaiah 45:5) In our pluralistic, inclusive world, it is said that there is nothing absolutely right and nothing absolutely wrong. In our politically correct society it is a breach of etiquette to say that another persons actions are sinful. The bumper sticker calls out to Judaism, Buddhism, Islam, Christianity, and Wiccan alike: Coexist! Truth, it has been decided, is in the eye of the beholder: What may be wrong for you, might be right for me. What counts, it is asserted, is that you are faithful to your belief. It reminds a person of the description given regarding the times covered in the Book of Judges: And everyone did what was right in their own eyes. (Judges 17:6) It is not surprising, then, that during those days the worship of Baal became common and accepted within Israel, the chosen nation of the LORD God. When the Lutheran Reformation shook the foundations of the corrupt church in the 1,500s, many were aghast at the apparent audacity of those who dared claim that the true God was exclusive, and his teachings were absolute! Grace alone! Faith alone! And Scripture alone! was the shout of the Reformers. Only the undeserved love of God is the cause of our salvation. Only faith in that God delivers that salvation. And only Scripture reveals the will and ways of God. Much of what had become common within the prevailing structure of Christendom was thrown out with those words. Christianity is an exclusive religion because the LORD is exclusive. Jesus once declared: I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father but by me. (John 14:6) The seriousness of not being accepted by the Father is shown by these words of Jesus: Then he will say to those on his left, Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. (Matthew 25:41) There is no answer to death but the Lord of Life. There is no forgiveness of sin apart from the payment made by the Son of God. There is no escape from hell except the one way that the one and only God offers. I am the LORD, and there is no other… These are chilling words to those looking to someone else, or something else to take his place. Apart from me there is no God. All false religion is empty. All idolatry is empty. All hope in anything but the undeserved love of God, which caused his Son to die as our ransom—all trust in our own good works—all confidence in anyone but the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, all such faith is foolish. There is only one way to heaven. There is only one Savior. There is only one LORD. He stands alone. But, he stands there for us. Written by Pastor Paul Ziemer, WELS National Civilian Chaplain and Liaison to the Military, Cape Coral, Florida. Prayer: Holy, triune LORD, we acknowledge that there is no God besides you, and no way of salvation apart from what you have provided. Give us the courage of faith to stand in spirit with your faithful people of the past who have lived those truths in their lives, and shared those truths with others. Keep our hope and faith fixed on you alone. Amen.
Posted on: Sun, 02 Nov 2014 12:18:18 +0000
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