IS JESUS THE ONLY WAY?
One of the most interesting passages in the Bible is John 14:6, where Jesus says, "I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me!" While Christians interpret it as Jesus the only way, some Eastern religions emphasize that all religions lead to the same destination, even though the ways of the various religions may be different. The Eastern philosophers go one step further to prove their point through a very familiar illustration, which I would like to refer to as the "mountain climbing" illustration.
It goes somewhat like this: "All religions have the same goal - that is to climb up the "mountain of God" to reach Heaven. But our ways of attaining that goal may be very different. A Christian may climb the "mountain of God" from the south, a Muslim from the North, a Hindu from the east, and a Buddhist from the west. We may follow different paths, but we all eventually come to the same destination, which is the mountaintop!"
There is one serious problem with this illustration. The mountain we describe here is not one of those small hills that we see with our naked eyes. This “mountain of God” is much higher than the Everest, and its top goes beyond the moon, the sun, and the galaxies of galaxies. God is so holy and He wants you to be holy as He is holy! Isaiah 55:8, 9 says, "for my thoughts are not your thoughts nor are your ways my ways," says the Lord, for as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts." There is no chance of attaining the "righteousness of God" as God would want us to have! His standards of Holiness are much higher than what we can imagine or think! Even those who think that they can climb this mountain of righteousness with their good deeds will face another problem. When they see God face to face, they cannot stand before Him. They will flee like roaches that cannot stand the bright light!
Since we cannot reach God with our own wisdom and efforts, Jesus is pointing to a salvation that is entirely different from any other religion! Jesus tells us not to climb the mountain of God at all with our own efforts! Instead He wants us to come to the base or foothill of the mountain, a place called "the way of the Cross!" There He wants us to pick up our prepaid ticket to heaven purchased by His own precious blood shed on the cross for our sins (Hebrews 9:11-15; Isaiah 53). For none of us is righteous enough to stand before God. We are all condemned sinners ready to be sentenced! But thanks to Jesus Christ who died on the cross for you and me and rose again for our justification! Faith in His shed blood on the cross is our ticket to heaven! When we are covered by His blood, His Holy Spirit will lead and transport us all the way to Heaven and give us the eternal bliss! Everything God does! He washes us. He carries us in His bosom, and takes us to heaven! We just need to receive this salvation by grace with thanksgiving and praise! We are anxious to tell all those people, who are determined to climb the mountain, so that we may stop them from perishing. If you try to climb the mountain with your own strength, you are going to expose yourself to wild beasts, demons, and evil spirits! So do not try to attain salvation through your own works! Come and receive the salvation prepared by Jesus just for you! Ephesians 2:8says,"for by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works lest, anyone should boast!"
Why don’t you just receive Lord Jesus by confessing your sins and believing in your heart that He died for your sins and rose again for your justification. Trust Jesus as Lord and Savior of your life. He alone is sufficient for all your needs! He is the King of kings, and Lord of all lords. You can receive the salvation right now by saying this prayer: "Dear Lord Jesus, I come to you for my salvation. Please forgive all my sins. Cleanse me and fill me up with your Holy Spirit. I give my life to you totally. I realize that you alone are sufficient for all my needs. Thank you Jesus for saving my soul!"
You may write to us at: Pastor@acts242church.org or visit our church and learn more about the SALVATION BY GRACE! God loves you so much that He sent His Son Jesus Christ to die on the cross for your sins, and if you believe in him you will not perish but have eternal life! (John 3:16)
May God bless you!