The gospel is the most inclusive message in the world. the benefits of the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ are meant for every man, woman, and child who ever lived. The gospel is also the most exclusive message in the world, for it maintains that salvation can only be found in one place, the person of Jesus Christ.

Just listen to how Jesus speaks, "I am the way and the truth and the life" (John 14.6). Jesus doesn't say, "I will show you the true way to eternal life." The prophets and apostles could say that. But Jesus says, "I am the way. I am the truth. I am the life you crave." And note that definite article: "the," not "a"! Jesus is not a way into heaven. He is the way. There is no other way than through faith in the One who died and rose again. The unbelieving world finds this claim, that Jesus Christ is the only way to heaven, to be the most offensive teaching in all of Scripture. Yet this is the very truth upon which Christ builds his church.