ARE WE ALL CLIMBING UP THE SAME MOUNTAIN TO REACH THE SAME SUMMIT?

IS JESUS REALLY THE ONLY WAY?

I know this seems like a useless question to ask a follower of Jesus, but a recent poll among professed believers in Jesus indicates over sixty percent believe most any religion will take you to heaven. In other words what they are saying is they believe Jesus is only one of many ways.

One of the interesting findings regarding Islam was the fact that residents of Texas (62%) were equally as likely as residents of New York (62%) to believe that Christians and Muslims worship the same deity. Florida residents (58%) were statistically similar. Yet, the inhabitants of the nation's most populous state, California, were less likely than average to embrace this view (48%).

Many born again Christians embrace certain aspects of Universalist thought. One-quarter of born again Christians said that all people are eventually saved or accepted by God (25%) and that it doesn't matter what religious faith you follow because they all teach the same lessons (26%). An even larger percentage of born again Christians (40%) indicated that they believe Christians and Muslims worship the same God.

When I see a well-known minister appearing on an evening talk show and they are asked a question, "Do you believe Jesus is the only way to heaven and eternal life" and are quoted the scripture for the question, I am interested in what his or her response is going to be. And when it is side-stepped it is disappointing to say the least.

Over and over again this seems to be the norm for many today and I am repeatedly disappointed with ministers who avoid the issue or have professed they agree with the belief that there is more than one way to heaven. I do, however, thank God for those ministers and pastors, like my Pastor who will stand and boldly say: "Yes, I believe Jesus is the only way to eternal life because that is what the Bible teaches."

The Whole Universe Runs On Laws and Order

Jesus spoke this truth. He answered and said unto them, 'When it is evening, ye say, It will be fair weather: for the sky is red. And in the morning, It will be foul weather today: for the sky is red and lowring. O ye hypocrites, ye can discern the face of the sky; but can ye not discern the signs of the times?' (Mat 16:2-3 KJV)

The whole universe runs on laws that do not change. The sun always rises in the east and sets in the west. Weather forecasters can tell you what time the sun will rise and set every day and they can do that for any day in the future. The laws of nature are exact.

You cannot put syrup in the gas tank of your automobile and expect it to run, nor can you drive as fast as you want and on any side of the road and expect to arrive safely at your destination. And it also matters what you eat or drink to maintain a healthy body and to live a long life.

All Roads, Really?

The quote says "All roads lead to Rome". But if the universe runs on laws that never vary, why would anyone want to trust a belief that all ways will ultimately lead to eternal life. The number one most important question you can ever answer is the one that deals with your eternal destiny. Do all roads lead to heaven? Does it not seem plausible that the same God that created the universe to run on a precise schedule and unchangeable laws would not also create an unchangeable plan that would have to be followed in order to spend eternity in heaven?

Do all roads lead to Rome? The answer is a resounding no. If you don't believe it get in your car and pick any road this evening and start driving and see if you end up in Rome. Of course you won't. So why would you trust your salvation and eternal life to just any of a 1000 religions or philosophies?

What Does The Word Of God Say?

I was once in a service where a prominent Rabi was asked to speak. He was speaking in a Christian Church. This man was an eloquent speaker and powerful with his manner and tone. He was able to quote from both Old and New Testaments. The Church was full and as he spoke I could not help but wonder if this is how Paul must have been able to speak, being able to clearly see the New in the light of the Old.

As he spoke he made this statement "All of us whether we be Jew or Gentile, Muslim or Seik, whether we attend a Mosque or a Church or a Synagogue we are all just climbing up the same mountain from different sides to reach the same summit". It was obvious that many were not in agreement with this statement. I was not so shocked at this thinking because of knowing who he was, but I was taken back that the pastor that was hosting this meeting did nothing and said nothing. In fact no one in authority in this meeting did.

I think that this is too often the case with believers today. We simply do nothing because we don't want to seem "narrow minded".  What should our response be to a statement like this? We should say as loving as possible that Jesus was and is very "narrow minded" and so am I. We are as narrow as the size of a cross because as Jesus said "I am the way the truth and the life, no man comes to the father but by Me." We should explain that the book of Acts says, "Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved" than the Name of Jesus Christ.

This may seem very narrow minded but just think how simple this makes eternal life and getting into heaven. There is only one way to choose. Find it and you are absolutely assured of your eternity.

Scripturally Offensive

In the days we live of not wanting to offend anyone, the gospel of the Lord Jesus remains offensive. The gospel is not politically correct or socially correct. It is however completely correct!

I find that the world does not really want to hear dogma concerning religion. The world has this idea of wanting a "personal religion" meaning there is a right religion for everyone regardless of what it is as long as it is just 'right for me'.  The religion the world is looking for reminds me of the Goldielocks and The Three Bear's story. This one is too hot and this one too cold but this one is just right! I can fit right in and do my duty and not alter my lifestyle. This kind of view will not offend or ruffle any feathers but Jesus "ruffled-feathers" in His day as did Paul and Peter and all the believers did from Acts to Revelation.

The world may not like our warnings and we may be controversial as Christians have been since the New Testament was completed. Christians do not need to be antagonistic or arrogant, but we do not need to back away from what the Bible teaches. Right is right. A person may not appreciate us yelling and waving at them to stop, until they reach the place where the water has washed the bridge away and then they will be thankful.

Today we are warning people of the impending danger of spending eternity apart from God. There is a Hell to shun and a Heaven to gain. It is our job to warn that eternity is in the balance.