Solus Christus – Part 2: Holding to Christ in an Empire of Compromise

“I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me.”
— John 14:6 (NASB1995)

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Christ Alone in a World of Many Paths

In the Roman Empire, religion was pluralistic. Temples lined the streets. Sacrifices were offered to countless gods. Caesar himself was worshiped.

The early Christians had a scandalous message:

“Jesus is Lord—no one else.”

Not Caesar. Not the emperor cult. Not Rome. Not the philosophers, priests, or pantheon of deities.

Only Christ.

This confession cost them everything.

“If I deny Christ to save my life, I lose it. But if I lose my life for Him, I gain eternity.”
— Perpetua, martyred AD 203

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The Pressure to Compromise

Christians weren’t persecuted for believing in Jesus—they were persecuted for refusing to add Him to the empire’s religion.

They wouldn’t:

• Offer incense to Caesar
• Participate in imperial festivals
• Swear allegiance to any lord but Christ

Rome demanded religious tolerance—so long as no one claimed exclusive truth.

Sound familiar?

Today’s culture celebrates spirituality… as long as it doesn’t say Jesus is the only way.

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Christ’s Supremacy Rejected by the World

The early Church refused to compromise because they knew:

• Christ alone is Savior (Acts 4:12)
• Christ alone is Lord (Phil. 2:9–11)
• Christ alone is Truth (John 1:14)
• Christ alone is the Head of the Church (Col. 1:18)

They weren’t trying to be radical. They were simply being faithful.

“I know whom I have believed, and I will not bow to Caesar. Christ alone reigns.”
— Ignatius of Antioch, c. AD 107

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The Temptation Still Exists

Today’s Church faces a different kind of empire:

• Cultural affirmation
• Political power
• Religious relativism
• Academic skepticism

And the temptation remains: “Just soften the message. Just broaden the way.”

But to do so is to abandon Solus Christus.

Jesus does not share His throne. He does not accept rivals. He does not need a platform—He is the platform.

“No one can lay a foundation other than the one which is laid, which is Jesus Christ.”
— 1 Corinthians 3:11

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The Witness of the Uncompromising

The power of the early Church was not in their eloquence—but in their clarity and courage:

• They exalted Christ without apology
• They obeyed Him without hesitation
• They suffered for Him without fear

Their witness turned the world upside down—because it was rooted in Christ alone.

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Kingdom Discipleship Reflection

• Have I allowed the world to pressure me into softening Christ’s exclusivity?
• Do I speak of Jesus as the way—or just a way?
• Have I made peace with a culture that rejects the supremacy of Christ?

This week, reflect on Acts 4:12 and Colossians 1:13–20. Ask:

“Jesus, are You truly unrivaled in my life, my words, and my faith?”

Then declare in word and deed:

“For I determined to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ, and Him crucified.”
— 1 Corinthians 2:2