Now all of us can come
to the Father through the same Holy Spirit because of what Christ has done for
us (Ephesians 2:18 NLT).
“There are many roads that lead to God.” It’s a common ideology that is typically
espoused by those who have failed to take the time to study those roads. If they had, they would realize that while
this is true, the foregone conclusion that all those roads will result in the
same reception at the end is faulty.
While all roads will ultimately end up before God, there is only one
road that will find Him as a Father through the Holy Spirit because of what
Christ has done. All other roads will
discover Him as the Judge, who will deny them entrance into His Kingdom because
their road did not pass through the tollbooth of Christ’s blood. The reason is because we have all sinned and
are guilty before God. However, the penalty
for our sin was paid by Christ so that when we come to God through that
finished work of redemption, God’s justice does not have to turn a blind eye so
that His love can welcome us home.
This reality does not make God unfair or unloving, it simply
makes Him God. That is the problem for
so many people who fail to recognize the truth of God’s nature. The Bible tells us “The Lord Your God is One
God” (Deuteronomy 6:4). This means that
He is singular. He is not loving
sometimes and just other times. He is
always only what and who He is at all times.
So, while His love wants to grant access to those who come to Him on
other roads, His justice cannot allow it.
The only way to rectify the tension between God’s love and His justice is
through the cross of Jesus, where God’s love satisfied His justice forever.
God suffered and died for me to be able to take the road
that leads into an eternal dwelling of happy ever after. Some call this narrow-minded and
intolerant. I call it merciful beyond
measure and passionately sacrificial.
Today, I will mediate upon the unfathomable love of the
Father that allows me to travel on a road, which ends in a welcomed reception.
Be sure to check out Gennarino's devotion on Ephesians 2:18.
