Jesus Doesn't Coexist

"What does he mean by saying...‘Where I am you cannot come'?” 
Text: John 7:25-36

Don't exchange the truth of God for a lie!

So what did Jesus mean when He said, "Where I am, you cannot come"? Jesus clarifies the statement one chapter later: "I am going away, and you will seek me, and you will die in your sin. Where I am going, you cannot come" (John 8:21). Jesus clearly states the two destinies of humanity. Not all will be saved; some cannot go where Jesus is going. The only way of salvation is to believe in Him.

Jesus doesn't coexist.

• Buddhism believes Jesus was a wise teacher.
• Islam acknowledges Jesus ascended into heaven in bodily form.
• Ancient Jews acknowledged Jesus had supernatural powers and performed miracles.
• Jesus qualifies as a "Hindu Saint" on the basis of his life and teaching.1

Every major religious movement considers Jesus to be an important religious figure. Many non-believers are "cool" with Jesus. A Barna survey found that 59% of American adults believe that "Christians and Muslims worship the same God even though they have different names and beliefs regarding God."

But Jesus doesn't coexist.

Jesus didn't say, "I am a way and a truth and a life; I'm one way to come to the Father." He said, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me" (John 14:6). Simon Peter preached, "Salvation is found in no one else [but Jesus], for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved" (Acts 4:12).

Parents: be bold in teaching the gospel to your children! Don't allow the cultural push for "tolerance" to weaken your discipleship efforts. Yes, be careful not to promote a spirit of anger and hostility toward sinners. Through words and actions, we must teach them to love sinners, even as they stand firm against sin (including their own).

In Luke 5, Jesus tells the Pharisees that he has "not come to call the righteous but sinners to repentance" (Luke 5:32). Jesus was a friend of sinners, but He called them to turn from their sin. "Jesus was a friend of sinners in that He came to save sinners and was very pleased to welcome sinners who were open to the gospel, sorry for their sins, and on their way to putting their faith in Him." 2

Refuse to buy into Satan's lie of "coexist." If you do, you will not go to be with Jesus, because you will die in your sins.

I know that the majority of those reading this email are believers. But I pray this email will encourage us to be bold and faithful in our witness and in the discipleship of our children and grandchildren. I pray the Holy Spirit will use it to motivate us to better love and share Jesus with those in our sphere of influence. That's what matters!

It's all about Jesus,
John

1 https://relevantmagazine.com/faith/what-other-world-religions-think-about-jesus/
2 https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/kevin-deyoung/jesus-friend-of-sinners-but-how/