Have you ever needed to ask for directions? I have. Did the person who answered say that there was only one way to get to where you were going or did, they offer multiple options? What did you think about the person that only gave one option? Have you ever found out there are some places you want to go that only have one way to get there? I have. I believe there is only one way to get to the most important place that I will ever go. Let me share with you what I learned.
I know that what I believe about going to heaven will cause many to believe I am arrogant, intolerant, irrelevant, or all three. You see, I believe that there is a heaven and a hell and that there is only one way to get to heaven and all other ways lead to hell. I have found that the Bible teaches me that Jesus is the only path to heaven. John 14:6 says, “Jesus said to him, ‘I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”’ (ESV) and 1 John 5:11-12 reinforces the concept, “And this is the testimony, that God gave us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life.” (ESV)
The world believes I am arrogant because they want to believe that all roads lead to heaven. They would say that a single road to heaven means my viewpoint is superior to others therefore I am arrogant. I am not arrogant because I did not come up with this plan God did. Let me give you an example of how I could be arrogant about saying there is only one way to someplace. I could tell people there is only one way to get to my house from the western suburbs of Minneapolis. That would not be true because there are multiple ways. I usually tell people the easiest way is the one with the least number of turns, even though that is not the route I take because I like to drive by the lake but that takes three more turns than the easiest way. I have a friend that takes a different way. Therefore, it would be arrogant for me to say that there is only one way to get to my home. I do, however, know of some places where there is only one road to get to a particular place. It would not be arrogant for me to say the only way to that place is to go this way.
The world believes that I am intolerant because they have changed the definition of tolerance to mean to be in complete acceptance of their opinion. I am not intolerant. Tolerance as defined by the dictionary is “the ability or willingness to tolerate something, in particular the existence of opinions or behavior that one does not necessarily agree with” so to say there is only one way is not intolerant because I still let others believe differently, I just think they are wrong as they think I am wrong.
The world believes that what I believe is irrelevant. They believe that because they are denying God. Romans 1:18-19 explains it this way, “For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth. For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them.” The world does not want to accept the truth about God even though it is plain for them to see. Instead of acknowledging the truth about God and His plan for salvation they choose to suppress it. I believe that understanding the only way to eternal life is through believing in the sacrificial death and resurrection of Jesus Christ is the most relevant thing to believe in. The consequences of failing to believe are tremendous. It will me life in hell after the judgement. Please do not wait any longer trust in Jesus and receive eternal life.
My Pastor Troy Dobbs from Grace Church Eden Prairie gave a great message last Sunday on this subject. I encourage you to listen to or watch it online. It will help you to understand the importance of believing and standing firm that there is only one way to eternal life.
I pray you will you join me in accepting the only way to eternal life or heaven. Seeking Jesus is the only option there is no other. This is to me the greatest possible hope. In doing so, I believe we will have hope and joy during our everyday lives. Understanding that Jesus Christ allows us to access eternal life, “And this is eternal life, that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent.” John 17:3 (ESV) This will allow us to have hope. At the same time understanding you will live eternally knowing the only true God and Jesus Christ and this is what brings the greatest hope. Because of the death of Jesus Christ on the cross satisfied the penalty for sins. His payment satisfies all my sins from the past, the present and in the future. My penalty and yours was satisfied on the cross by the death of Jesus, God’s greatest act of love and wrath, who became sin for me and you. It was also God’s greatest act of faithfulness because “God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:8 (ESV) Because holiness shows us, we need to believe in Jesus. I hope that you join me in helping others to choose Jesus.
If you have not read my previous blogs, you can find them here.
You can find my book, Hope Amid Hopelessness: Our Abba Father Provides a Way Through Mental Illness here.
eBook or Audiobook versions can be found at Westbow Press or Christianbook.com at Amazon or Google.
