I was listening to a preacher one time. By the way, it is a good idea to listen to good spirit filled preachers. It is possible to learn things; things that can really help you.

At any rate, he was explaining the reason reason the Romans rejected Christianity. His explanation did make sense. I also suspect, with his education, he knew what he was talking about.

At any rate, you ever notice the Romans had no problems accepting the Greek gods. To them, the way they figured it, the more the merrier. I’m not sure anyone knows how many gods the Romans had. They had one for this and the one for that. If a person wanted to add a god, no problem. You could add your own god and your own religion and no one would complain.

The difference with Christianity was John 14: 6: “I am the way, the truth and the life. No man comes to the Father but by me.” It is a quote by Jesus Himself.

You see that made Christianity different and exclusive. If a person believed in Christianity, he could no longer believe in his gods. Well, in a way, I suppose he might but for one thing. If he tries to believe in both, the above statement by Jesus requires the denouncing of all other gods or he does not believe not believe Jesus.

The Romans didn’t like that. I mean everyone was getting along really well and then Jesus comes along and tells us that if you are going to accept Jesus as your savior, you must deny all the rest.

Believe it or not, some people actually had investments in the other gods. They sold idols and I am sure that they took offerings to them. Moreover, they had their customs, some of which encouraged some very horrible rituals. Strange as it may seem, some actually offered their children as sacrifices.

So it was, if a person was to become a Christian, they had to give that all up. Moreover, those that did not accept Christianity were looked on by the Christians as godless and lost. They were always going around seeking people to convert to this new faith. It was bothersome, you see. One minute you are carrying this nice conversation with an acquaintance and then, of all things, they were talking about you being a sinner and being in danger of hell forever.

That is basically what the preacher said, though I did add a little. You can imagine how this irritated the Romans. Think about it. Sort of the way that Christian neighbor keeps trying to get you to accept Jesus as your savior. I mean, it is a bummer trying to come up with all these excuses as to why you just can’t go to church with him.

The way it was back then, is sort of the way it is now. It’s sort of why people don’t like us Christians acting like Christians.

There is one more thing that is the same. Those that die without Jesus as their savior, will spend eternity in hell. It is kind of why we Christians become so bothersome. We are only trying to provide you with some very important information. It just might save you.

One more thing that is the same now as then. Jesus is the only way to salvation. It is perfectly exclusive and there is no other way. If your faith is in another religion of any kind, it will do you no good. You call yourself Catholic or Baptist, it won’t help you. You must accept Jesus as your savior.

The tragedy is that there will be many “good men” who don’t make it to heaven. Being good does not help you at all. No one, but no one is good enough to go to heaven. If we could be good enough, Jesus would not have needed to go to the Cross. If you say you are good enough you don’t need salvation, you are calling Jesus a liar. That in itself will be enough to send you to hell.