By Michael C. Mack
Have you ever heard someone say there are many ways to Heaven and that Christians are narrow-minded to think Jesus is the only way?
God’s Word is unambiguous and unequivocal about this topic.
Jesus said, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6, emphasis mine). And the apostle Peter said about Jesus, “Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved” (Acts 4:12, emphasis mine).
Perhaps those of us who follow Christ are “narrow-minded” when it comes to our faith in Jesus. We believe Jesus’ words are true: “Wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it” (Matthew 7:13-14).
Jesus said these words during his Sermon on the Mount immediately after teaching that God gives good gifts to those who ask him . . . and what could be a greater gift than salvation? And his “narrow road” discussion was followed with a warning to “watch out for false prophets” (Matthew 7:15). It’s vital for our faith to trust God’s Word, especially on such a life-and-death topic!
Why would God, the creator of and master over everything, provide multiple ways to come to him? Why would he need to create many options? He didn’t. God designed one way, a beautiful way, to bring us back into relationship with him. Jesus is his way!
Peter didn’t say a particular congregation, denomination, or movement would save you. And Jesus didn’t say a ritual, tradition, practice, or work will save you. No. Jesus is the only way.
“Jesus-plus” is unnecessary and dangerous. When we add other things, we can too easily become dependent on them to save us, and we can too easily worship them in place of God. Jesus’ sacrificial death for you and me was enough.
As we take the bread that represents Jesus’ body and drink from the cup that represents his shed blood, we pause to remember that Jesus is the way, the only way, to our Father God. Salvation is found in no one else! He is enough!
Michael C. Mack serves as editor of Christian Standard.
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