Truth by definition excludes. It excludes that which is false. Truth is a narrow way, but it is the only way to eternal life. Jesus is the Truth (John 14:6). Jesus is the Way (John 14:6). Jesus is life (John 14:6). All who look to Him and follow Him as their sole source of salvation have life, eternal life (John 3, 10).
Bones thought he knew the way. To be sure (because his destiny could be on the line and because someone needs to care enough to ask), I asked him how he knew for sure. "My good works outweigh the bad," he answered. That's a false answer. Turns out that Bones didn't know the Way. Jesus said no one is good but God (Mk. 10:18). In fact, Jesus said fallen man is evil (Matt. 7:11). That's why He came, the innocent for the guilty (2 Cor. 5:20).
Bones admitted that if he pled guilty to crimes before an earthly judge, no amount of good deeds would erase his guilt. In the same way, our righteous deeds are as filthy rags in God's sight and will never be sufficient to erase our crimes against a Holy God. Bones realized the truth of that fact.
When I explained to Bones what God had done for him to pay off his sin debt so he could be declared innocent on the day of judgment, though he is guilty, he acknowledged that he needed to repent of his sins and trust Christ alone for salvation. Bones said he had done that.
I asked Bones if he's following Jesus. He said he's trying. Amen! All we can do is cling to him by faith and try to follow him with our whole hearts each day by reading his word daily, striving to obey what we read, and allowing him to conform us into his image that we might bear fruit 100fold!
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