Jesus saith unto Him, I am the Way, the Truth and the Life: No man cometh unto the Father but by me.
John 14:6
[To me, the author of this piece, Clifford Gration, was a spiritual giant – a true gentle man – a real man of God and prayer warrior – my father in the gospel, and my father-in-law]
Promoted to Glory in his 91st year – March 2001
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Jesus – No Other Name
It is helpful to reflect for a moment on the expression, “I am” that Jesus used in this verse. The Deity of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ is made known here. References abound throughout Holy Scripture testifying to this truth. For instance in John 4:26 He is ‘Messiah’, in John 8:23 He is ‘from above’, in John 8:58 Jesus declared His Eternal origins when He said, “before Abraham was, I am.” If dear reader you need convincing of Christ’s Deity then read through the whole of John’s Gospel, this, you will find is the main focus of John’s writing.
Jesus declared that He was the Way, yet many people have tried, and are trying in numerous ways, and by many foolish and devious methods to ‘get round’ John 14:6. Charitable works, moral and educational reform, humanistic efforts etc., all are good in themselves but are no substitute for God’s salvation, which is through the free, unmerited grace of God. The Bible tells us in Romans 3:23 “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.” It says in Romans 6:23 “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life, through Jesus Christ our Lord.”
Repentance, which involves admitting that we are sinners, and confessing our sin is vital (see 1 John 1:9). This will involve a change of mind and heart, and a ‘turning’ from sin, essential for the remission (forgiveness) of our sins (see 1 John 1:9). The Lord Jesus died and rose again, and all who truly repent and believe in His name will be saved (see John 3:16 and Acts 4:12). This latter verse makes clear absolutely that there is ‘NO OTHER NAME’ whereby we must be saved.
Also, Jesus said, that He was the Truth. Even though the very essence of truth stood before him, Pontius Pilate, in John 18:38, rather sarcastically, asked Jesus, “What is truth?” The whole, but very brief earthly life of our Saviour was a witness to the truth. All around Him was hypocrisy, sham and falsehood. A phrase in Isaiah 59:14 reflects the situation in a measure, of the present day; “For truth is fallen in the street, and equity cannot enter.”
Finally, Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and THE LIFE. Physical life is a precious gift of God, and should be surrendered to Him. However, Jesus came to give eternal life, and that life we can only receive through faith in His name. There is no other name to whom mankind can appeal, no other so-called ‘faith’, no other substitute to pay the price for the sin of man. ONLY CHRIST CAN SAVE! Come to Him dear sinner, come today.
Clifford Gration (1910 – 2001)