Is there more than One Way into Heaven?
The world says that Christians who believe “Jesus is the only way” are being narrowminded. Many people who identify as Christians believe that there is more than one way to God. And many of the leaders of modern mega-churches teach that it is possible to get into heaven without accepting Jesus Christ.
Even Pope Francis (the leader of half of the world’s Christians) claims that everyone (including atheists) will go to heaven so long as they love one another and that there is no need to love God or accept Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord.
Is that what Jesus Christ taught?
Narrow is the Way
13 Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: 14 Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it. (Matthew 7: 13-14)
Jesus Christ taught that the way to destruction is a wide path and that the way to life with God is a narrow path. Few will find the narrow path that leads to life. This is a warning that many people will think that they are on the right path but they are not. Not all paths will lead to God.
Beware False Prophets
15 Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. 16 Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?17 Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. 18 A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. 19 Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. 20 Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them. (Matthew 7: 15-20)
Right after Jesus told his disciples that the path to life with God is narrow, Jesus gave a warning about false prophets. People who claim to teach about God but speak words that are false and mislead those who follow them. Jesus said that you will recognize them by their fruit.
Don’t be deceived by their smiles, charm, and politically correct words. They might even be known for philanthropic actions. But look very closely. Do their words and actions truly follow Jesus’ teachings?
The Ways of the World
18 If the world hates you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you. 19 If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you. 20 Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also. (John 15: 18-20)
The world loves Pope Francis and the world loves the church leaders who embrace the pope’s teachings. What does that tell you?
We are to be set apart from the world: in the world but not of the world. If the world loves you and embraces you as one of its own, you are not following Jesus Christ closely enough.
Jesus’s teachings are not politically correct. This is a fallen world. The prince of this world (Satan) desires to steal, kill, and destroy everything that God made and everyone that God loves.
Test the spirits
Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world. 2 Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God: 3 And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world. (1 John 4: 1-3)
19 Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble. (James 2: 19)
Just because someone says the name of Jesus and claims to believe in Him, doesn’t mean that they know or follow the real Jesus Christ. Much of the world accepts that Jesus of Nazareth is a historical figure and that He was a “good” teacher. But their definition of Him differs. Many of them deny His deity as the Son of God. And of those who might acknowledge Jesus’ deity, many are not in a saving relationship with Jesus Christ (Matthew 7: 22-23).
Blinded minds
3 But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: 4 In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them. 5 For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus’ sake. (2 Corinthians 4: 3-5)
Satan has blinded the minds of many people because it is his desire for people to perish. He is the great deceiver. He works through deception, lies, flattery, and illusion. He appeals to our fallen carnal nature. His lies may feel true at the moment but when we are able to see things clearly, we often realize that those thoughts and feelings were not true. Our emotions can mislead us.
Do the will of My Father
21 Not everyone that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. 22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? 23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity. (Matthew 7: 21-23)
Just because people utilize the power of Jesus’ name does not prove that they are genuinely His followers. Some people try to use Jesus but aren’t willing to accept Him as their personal Savior and the Lord of their lives. Remember that you can recognize them by their fruit. Be discerning.
Build your house upon the Rock
24 Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock: 25 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock.
26 And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand: 27 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it. (Matthew 7: 24-27)
Those who love the Lord will build their lives upon the rock (Jesus is the cornerstone that the builders rejected: Psalm 118: 22, Isaiah 28: 16, Matthew 21: 42, Acts 4: 10-12). When challenges arise, we can stand firm because of our relationship with Jesus Christ.
God’s will
39 And he went a little farther, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: never-the-less not as I will, but as thou wilt. 40 And he cometh unto the disciples, and findeth them asleep, and saith unto Peter, What, could ye not watch with me one hour?
41 Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.42 He went away again the second time, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if this cup may not pass away from me, except I drink it, thy will be done. 43 And he came and found them asleep again: for their eyes were heavy. 44 And he left them, and went away again, and prayed the third time, saying the same words. (Matthew 26: 39-44)
Before Jesus was crucified, He prayed to His Father in heaven and asked if there was any other way to save humanity. He knew what was about to suffer and asked to not have to go through it if there was another way. But He accepted the Father’s will.
If there was more than one way to the Father, Jesus Christ would not have needed to suffer and die on the cross to pay the price for our sins. There was clearly no other way for humanity to be reconciled with God.
No Other Way
6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. (John 14: 6)
There is no other way for people to be saved. The only way to the Father is through His Son: Jesus Christ.
Keep His Commands
21 He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him. (John 14: 21)
9 As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love. 10 If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father’s commandments, and abide in his love. 11 These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full. (John 15: 9-11)
3 And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments. 4 He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. 5 But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him. 6 He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked. (1 John 2: 3-6)
22 And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight. 23 And this is his commandment, That we should believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, as he gave us commandment. 24 And he that keepeth his commandments dwelleth in him, and he in him. And hereby we know that he abideth in us, by the Spirit which he hath given us. (1 John 3: 22-24)
His Commands
37 Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. 38 This is the first and great commandment. 39 And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. 40 On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.(Matthew 22: 37-40)
34 A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. 35 By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another. (John 13: 34-35)
38 And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me. (Matthew 10: 38)
18 And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: 20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen. (Matthew 28: 18-20)
Once we have accepted Jesus Christ as our Savior and Lord, we need to pick up our cross and follow Him. When we do, there will be evidence of our relationship with Him. We will keep His commands: love God with all our heart, mind, and strength; love our neighbor as ourselves; love one another; spread the good news (gospel of Jesus Christ); baptize in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit; and teach believers to observe His commands.
Eternal Life
11 And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. 12 He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life. (1 John 5: 11-12)
Eternal life is available to us only through the Son of God: Jesus Christ.
God’s Holy Spirit of truth bears witness
6 This is he that came by water and blood, even Jesus Christ; not by water only, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit that beareth witness, because the Spirit is truth. (1 John 5: 6)
God’s Holy Spirit bears witness to the truth: that the Son of God, Jesus Christ, came in the flesh, willingly suffered for us, and shed His blood so that our sins can be forgiven and we can be saved.
The Three are One
7 For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one. (1 John 5: 7)
In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth. 2 And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters. 3 And God said, Let there be light: and there was light. (Genesis 1: 1-3)
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 The same was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. 4 In him was life; and the life was the light of men. 5 And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not. (John 1: 1-5)
10 He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not. 11 He came unto his own, and his own received him not. 12 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: 13 Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. 14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth. (John 1: 10-14)
4 Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God is one Lord (Deuteronomy 6: 4)
In the ancient Hebrew language, God refers to Himself in the plural but also as One. In the New Testament, the three are described as One.
All three participated in creation: the Father spoke, the living Word is Jesus, and the Holy Spirit moved upon the waters. Jesus is not a created being. Jesus is part of the One God and He participated in creation of the heavens and the earth.
Conclusion
No one gets to the Father except through the Son (Jesus Christ). There is no other way.
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