Three Reasons Why the Exclusivity of the Gospel Causes Offense
Have you been there? You’re just trying to obey God and be a good witness for Jesus Christ (Acts 1:8). But suddenly, your pleasant conversation turns combative. This was not your intention, but there you are. The friend you care about is upset, and you feel like it is your fault. All you did was share truth from the Bible, but now you are the bad guy. How did this happen?
Now, the tension could be your fault. Your approach could be abrasive, condescending, or even rude. But, then again, the trip line could have been the message itself. Those set on going their own way stumble on the exclusivity of the gospel.
Jesus stated in no uncertain terms that there is only one way to God: “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me” (John 14:6). Why does the exclusivity of the gospel often provoke such a vehement response?
Exclusivity Eliminates Your Own Way
If there is only one way to God, then one’s own way is futile. Trusting one’s own good works instead of trusting in Jesus Christ alone is going one’s own way. A life of good deeds done for God and others goes to waste when considered to be merit that earns favor with God. All the credit one labored for a lifetime to accrue ends up like Monopoly money—the amount is high, but the eternal value is nil.
In the minds of those attached to their own way, a loving friend’s words pointing out such truths becomes a personal attack. What is meant in love sounds like judgment. Instead of hearing a plea to come to safety, those set on their own way hear only condemnation that they feel they could not possibly deserve.
Yet, God clearly warns those who cling to their own way: “There is a way that seems right to a man, But its end is the way of death” (Proverbs 14:12). That death—eternal death—is not inevitable. The prophet Isaiah explains, “All we like sheep have gone astray; We have turned, every one, to his own way; And the LORD has laid on Him [Jesus] the iniquity of us all” (Isaiah 53:6). Going one’s own way is sin, but Jesus Christ paid for that sin by dying on the cross. To benefit from His sacrifice, those going their own way must submit to the only way to God by putting their faith in Christ alone (Acts 4:12).
Exclusivity Demands Humility
Few who cling to their record of personal morality view this as insisting on their own way. They cannot see the arrogance of demanding that God accept them and their works. Instead of recognizing that they are in debt to God because of sin, they are self-assured that God owes them entrance into heaven because of their worthy life. They feel that they are okay going their own way until it is too late to change course.
Jesus warned of this kind of thinking in Matthew 7:21–23: “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’”
God offers one path to salvation, but acceptance of this only way requires humility. Ephesians 2:8–9 explains, “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.” Insisting on one’s own way reveals a prideful heart, boasting in its own good works. Only the humble receive God’s grace as they admit their inability to save themselves and turn in faith to Christ alone.
Exclusivity Exposes the Messenger to Misunderstanding
When a faithful believer shares the exclusivity of the gospel, those set on their own way often react as if they have been attacked. Sometimes in anger and sometimes in genuine confusion, they ask questions like:
- “Why are you so arrogant to think you know better than everyone else?”
- “What right do you have to pry into my private relationship with God?”
- “Why do you judge me?”
While we, as faithful witnesses, should definitely examine our motives, manner, and attitudes when sharing these hard truths, we must not let such reactions intimidate us. Both the message and the authority to share it comes from Jesus Himself. The exclusivity of the gospel is not a new doctrine created by a modern fanatical sect. From the beginning of the church age, Jesus proclaimed that He is the only way to God (John 14:6), and He gave the authority and the command to share this exclusive gospel with every creature of every nation (Mark 16:15).
“And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age” (Matthew 28:18–20).
As we share the exclusive gospel, we proclaim Jesus’ message—not our own. Jesus is the originator and the judge—not us. But those who refuse His message sometimes shoot at the messenger. What other target do they have?
Conclusion
Offense caused by the exclusivity of the gospel should come as no surprise. Who wants to hear they are sinners? Who wants to admit that their good works are not enough? Furthermore, who wants to change the foundation and course of their lives after decades of going their own way? To do so requires repentance and humility before God. In addition, they may feel embarrassed to face the gospel messengers that they pushed away during their years of rejecting Jesus’ exclusive gospel.
Take hope! The good news can still penetrate the stoniest heart.1 The gospel remains the power of God to salvation to everyone who believes (Romans 1:16). We once were as they are, and they too can become like us—truly safe through faith in the work of Christ alone. This is our humble hope and prayer.
So, spread the gospel. Don’t take offense if hearers take offense. Pray. Love. Listen. Seize whatever opportunity God opens to gently share truth. And don’t back down from the exclusivity of the gospel.
Dr. Conrad serves in urban Asia. He is the author of missionary devotionals Daring Devotion and Daring Dependence. He blogs at Rooted Thinking, we republish his material by permission.
Photo credit: Donald Giannatti on unsplash.
- For a more thorough explanation of the gospel, read page 19-26 of my book, Daring Dependence. That section of the book can be read for free here. [↩]