The Lord never ceases to surprise me...
He does things in ways I would never think of.
Jesus told His disciples to go into all the world and preach the gospel to every person (Mark 16:15). Yet while I have my own physical restrictions and limitations because of incarceration, leave it to the Lord to figure out ways to bring people to me instead of my going to them.
Thus, I was surprised once more when I received a letter from a man who says he's a Buddhist. He said that he was encouraged by my testimony and for what Jesus Christ has done in my life.
He told me, too, that he has found "solace" in the teachings of Buddha. I certainly appreciate his honesty, and I am not looking to debate my faith. However, when it is time for me to answer his letter, I know the Lord will give me the right words to say.
For Jesus Christ makes the exclusive claim to be the only "door" to eternal life. He said in the Gospel of John, "I am the door: by Me if any man enter in, he shall be saved
27 (John 10:9).
Then later on in this gospel, Jesus said some of His most frequently quoted words: "I am the way, the truth, and the life: No man cometh to the Father, but by Me" (John 14:6).
For centuries ordinary men, religious scholars, debaters and mockers have tried to undermine these clear and concise words. Infidels and modernizers have tried to neutralize and water down John 14:6 to make it into something else. Yet Jesus' words remain steadfast.
Christ's words are pointed and direct. He is the only way. He is all Truth. And He is the giver of eternal life. "Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on Me hath everlasting life" (John 6:47).
The Lord Jesus also said, "I am the resurrection and the life: he that believeth in Me, though he were dead, yet shall he live" (John 11:25).
Thus, while the teachings of Buddha may seem pleasing to many people with talk of inner peace and mankind's never-ending search for bliss, Buddha never deals with the issues of sin and one's accountability to a Creator.
Buddha did not die for my sins. In fact, he is still in the grave. But Jesus the Messiah is the Son of God. He died for my sins, and He arose from the grave three days later. Now, He sits at the right hand of the Father, always making intercession for me.
As it says in the Bible concerning Jesus Christ, "Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved" (Acts 4:12).
Yet even now as I am writing this for my journal, I have already begun to pray for this man, Ron. May the Holy Spirit open his heart to receive the everlasting and true Gospel of Jesus Christ. May the Lord also help me to speak the truth in love when the time comes for me to write back to him. Amen!
D.B.
Jesus told His disciples to go into all the world and preach the gospel to every person (Mark 16:15). Yet while I have my own physical restrictions and limitations because of incarceration, leave it to the Lord to figure out ways to bring people to me instead of my going to them.
Thus, I was surprised once more when I received a letter from a man who says he's a Buddhist. He said that he was encouraged by my testimony and for what Jesus Christ has done in my life.
He told me, too, that he has found "solace" in the teachings of Buddha. I certainly appreciate his honesty, and I am not looking to debate my faith. However, when it is time for me to answer his letter, I know the Lord will give me the right words to say.
For Jesus Christ makes the exclusive claim to be the only "door" to eternal life. He said in the Gospel of John, "I am the door: by Me if any man enter in, he shall be saved
27 (John 10:9).
Then later on in this gospel, Jesus said some of His most frequently quoted words: "I am the way, the truth, and the life: No man cometh to the Father, but by Me" (John 14:6).
For centuries ordinary men, religious scholars, debaters and mockers have tried to undermine these clear and concise words. Infidels and modernizers have tried to neutralize and water down John 14:6 to make it into something else. Yet Jesus' words remain steadfast.
Christ's words are pointed and direct. He is the only way. He is all Truth. And He is the giver of eternal life. "Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on Me hath everlasting life" (John 6:47).
The Lord Jesus also said, "I am the resurrection and the life: he that believeth in Me, though he were dead, yet shall he live" (John 11:25).
Thus, while the teachings of Buddha may seem pleasing to many people with talk of inner peace and mankind's never-ending search for bliss, Buddha never deals with the issues of sin and one's accountability to a Creator.
Buddha did not die for my sins. In fact, he is still in the grave. But Jesus the Messiah is the Son of God. He died for my sins, and He arose from the grave three days later. Now, He sits at the right hand of the Father, always making intercession for me.
As it says in the Bible concerning Jesus Christ, "Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved" (Acts 4:12).
Yet even now as I am writing this for my journal, I have already begun to pray for this man, Ron. May the Holy Spirit open his heart to receive the everlasting and true Gospel of Jesus Christ. May the Lord also help me to speak the truth in love when the time comes for me to write back to him. Amen!
D.B.