It is disturbing to read a letter to the editor commenting on Jesus
and Christianity ("Lifestyles," May 22) by one who is woefully
uninformed about both. The author balks at the suggestion that
salvation is for a limited few. Yet Jesus Himself says "small is the
gate that leads to life, and only a few find it" (Matthew 7:14). The
author states that Jesus was a Gentile. That is not true. The gospel
writers Matthew and Luke took great care to document the genealogy of
Jesus. Their genealogies not only show that Jesus was a Jew, but that
he was a descendant of King David. Without such lineage Jesus could
not be the rightful Messiah.
The author is correct in his assertion that Jesus did not come to
judge the world but to redeem it. Jesus himself says this in John
12:47. However, in the very next verse Jesus says, "The one who
rejects me and does not receive my word has a judge; on the last day
the word that I have spoken will serve as judge" (John 12:48).
Therefore it is important to learn and follow (trust and obey) the
word of Jesus/God.
The Bible/God's Word, reveals his plan and provision for our
salvation. Salvation is not accomplished through obedience to the Law
or our own good works but through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. He
willingly died on the the Cross to pay for our sins. He rose from
death that we might follow him in newness of life. Jesus calls us to
believe in him and to surrender every area of our lives, including our
sexuality, to his Lordship.
