Jesus is the Difference
Sports franchises can often turn things around with the addition of the right coach or star player. Team owners risk millions on a draft pick or a proven coach in hopes of bringing more wins to their city. In modern society, a small business might be just one successful marketing campaign away from making it big, a high school student just one test point away from a full scholarship, a singer just one hit away from global accolades, and an actor just one role away from universal recognition.
In many facets of life, small adjustments can pay big dividends. Does this principle hold true spiritually as well? Am I missing out on spiritual bliss because I just haven’t found the right “life hack” yet? While identifying and taking advantage of small opportunities and influences can lead us to a stronger spiritual life, no one enters or misses heaven by a hair. The difference between spiritual success and failure is completely dependent upon our relationship with Jesus; it’s more like all or nothing.
Faith in Jesus, of course, is the basis of our relationship with Him. In John 8:24, Jesus Himself stated, “if you do not believe that I am He, you will die in your sins.” Pretty simple and direct, right? The Bible doesn’t present different options or paths to spiritual success, enlightenment, or salvation. Jesus said later, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me” (John 14:6). In Acts 4:12, the apostle Peter similarly said of Jesus, “there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” Jesus is the only way to eternal life. You are either in Jesus or you are not.
Jesus described His relationship with His followers in various ways. Consider the following examples from John’s gospel. In John 4, Jesus gives the water of eternal life to all who follow Him. In John 6, Jesus is the bread of life, providing salvation to those who follow His spiritual and eternal focus. In John 8-9, Jesus is the light of the world, and whoever follows Him does not walk in darkness. In John 10, He is the good shepherd and door into the sheep fold who knows and saves the sheep who follow Him. In John 11, Jesus is the resurrection and the life. Even His followers who die physically will not miss His salvation. In John 15, Jesus is the vine who gives life and salvation to the branches connected to Him. In John 18, Jesus is the king of an otherworldly kingdom, granting salvation to its citizens. The illustrations differ, but the main point is always the same. To be saved is to faithfully follow Jesus and remain connected to Him.
You don’t need a tweak, a minor adjustment, or a slightly different focus to unlock the good life and eternal salvation. You simply need Jesus. When we completely submit to Him, the other important facets of our lives fall into their proper places and are strengthened as well. The difference between spiritual life and death is our response to Jesus.
David Langley