No salvation apart from Christ

Anyone who wanders away from this teaching has no relationship with God. But anyone who remains in the teaching of Christ has a relationship with both the Father and the Son. 2 John 9 NLT

Those who are abiding in the truth and remains living their lives guided by sound doctrine have experienced genuine salvation. On the other hand, those who are not “who wanders away from this teaching has no relationship with God.” Progressing and growing into spiritual maturity are commendable before God. But if we are just becoming progressive in our thinking neglecting the gospel and the teachings of God’s Word, this leads to untruth and false doctrines. We cannot venture away from the teachings of God’s Word. Genuine growth is always rooted in the teaching of Christ. John says that the teaching of Christ “has a relationship with both the Father and the Son.” This is what Jesus says to the Jews who were questioning His claim that He came from the Father: “My message is not my own; it comes from God who sent me. Anyone who wants to do the will of God will know whether my teaching is from God or is merely my own” (John 7:16-17). Jesus is the only way to the Father. “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me. If you had really known me, you would know who my Father is. From now on, you do know him and have seen him!” (John 14:6-7). We cannot claim we are saved without knowing Jesus as Lord and Savior. Why did God command His disciples to go into all the world and preach the gospel if we can be saved apart from having faith in God? “‘Jesus came and told his disciples, ‘I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations’” (Matthew 28:18-19). “You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth” (Acts 1:8). “There is salvation in no one else! God has given no other name under heaven by which we must be saved” Acts 4:12). The world will refer to you as backward thinker or old-fashioned Christian because you believe that salvation is through Christ alone. It is dangerous to go beyond the limits of God’s Word and add to it. Let us remain strong in our conviction that salvation is obtained by believing and placing one faith in Christ alone.

Blessings,