Women's Ministry

A Better Way

By Tammy Tkach

My daughter Stephanie asked me, "Mom, is there really more than one way to skin a cat?" I laughed. She knew what the saying meant, but she really did wonder about that poor cat.

There usually is more than one way to do something. When we talk about getting difficult things done, we Americans use the saying about "good old American ingenuity." And then there’s the cliche, "Necessity is the mother of invention."

If the first thing you try doesn’t work, you just back up and have another go at it.

When Jesus taught people about himself and God’s ways, he brought a new perspective on everything. He showed them a better way, a way of the spirit of the law, rather than the letter. He showed them the way of love, rather than judging and measuring. He brought them (and us) a better way.

But he was adamant about the one way to attain salvation. His many stories about the law being inadequate pointed out that for some things there is only one way. The way to salvation is through Jesus and Jesus alone.

"I am the Way, the Truth and the Life," he said in John 14:6, leaving no doubt that we needn’t look further (New Living Translation throughout).

Peter told Annas the high priest, Caiaphas, John, Alexander and other relatives of the high priest that there is salvation in no one but Jesus. "There is no other name in all of heaven for people to call on to save them" (Acts 4:12).

Paul reiterates this in his letter to Timothy: "For there is only one God and one Mediator who can reconcile God and people. He is the man Christ Jesus" (1 Timothy 2:5).

Even so, some still insist on looking for options and alternatives.

What? You can’t tell me there’s only one way. I want my freedom of choice!

Many try alternate religions. Eastern movements are growing in popularity.

Some want a spiritual experience, but without the structure of a church. Some turn to the occult. And then some Christians feel they have to go beyond the basics of just believing in Christ. It’s called "Christ-plus."

Maybe the simple act of believing, without doing anything, seems way too easy. Or too simple. Or it seems to let some off the hook, like the thief on the cross whose simple request to be remembered by Jesus was granted. Could a criminal’s record—heinous acts that demanded crucifixion—be wiped out with one simple statement of faith in the stranger on the next cross? The thief’s belief was enough for Jesus. Without hesitation, he promised this man eternity in paradise (Luke 23:42-43).

Jesus tells us we don’t need to look for alternatives, options or other ways of skinning the proverbial cat. We need only confess with our mouths that Jesus is Lord and believe in our hearts that God raised him from the dead, and we will be saved (Romans 10:9).

Copyright © Worldwide Church of God, 2002