I believe that faith in Jesus is the only hope for mankind. I learned that when I went to church. That is the primary difference between my church experience as a child and my church experience today.

When I was a kid, teachers and preachers told me that the way to salvation was narrow and not many people find it. (That’s Matthew 7:13 if you’re interested.) I was told in countless sermons and lessons that there is a way that seems right but is actually so wrong it will kill me. (That’s Proverbs 14:12…) I was told that God is Holy and I am not. I was told that Jesus would make me Holy if I repented of my sin and turned my will over to God. Christianity was never presented as an ‘option.’ It was presented as the ONLY correct choice.

I don’t hear the same messages in church now.

Today, preachers tell me that God doesn’t have a problem with me. I’m acceptable to God just as I am. I’m told that Holy God is quite fond of ‘broken, messy people.’ Repentance isn’t necessary. It’s okay if I don’t want to follow Jesus because there’s no wall God won’t kick down coming after me. I’m told that if I don’t chase God; then God will chase me.

If I had heard this modern religion as a child, I doubt I would be a Christian today. There is a substantial list of famous ex-Christians who testify that ‘my brand of Christianity’ isn’t right for them. They were taught that the teachings of the Bible are wide open to personal interpretation and anyone who claims to know anything is arrogant. They were taught that preaching uncertainty is humble. They were taught that love and logic cannot coexist. They were taught that the wide path doesn’t lead to destruction but to diversity and enlightenment. Without a solid foundation of Christian doctrine underneath me, there’s no way I’d be able to stand against those sweet deceptions.

Desperate people don’t need my opinions, especially if I’m not convinced that I’m right. If I’m going to present my religion as just one of many options, I should just shut up. But if my religion is the ONLY hope for mankind, I should shout loud enough to drown out everyone else.

“It is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified but whom God raised from the dead…Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved.” (Acts 4:10)