Why is Jesus Christ the Only Way to God?
Lorraine Day, M.D.
Christians are often accused of being arrogant, intolerant and exclusive because they believe that the only way to God is through Jesus Christ. Oprah Winfrey, the new, self-proclaimed, diva of “spirituality” is hosting a series of “spiritual” conversations by new age gurus who claim there are many ways to God. The goal is the same, they say, but there are many ways to reach that goal. In addition, everyone has a right to define the characteristics of his own “god.”
The Christians counter with various arguments. Let’s 1) examine the questions, 2) read the sample Christian response – samples of actual responses given my Christian pastors and theologians to these questions, then 3) critically analyze the Christian responses to the claims of those who believe there are many ways to God.
1. Does it really matter?
Question from non-Christians. “There are many religions in the world and there are many ways to God. Some call God by the name ‘Allah’ and others by the name ‘Jehovah’ and others by many other names, but there is only ONE GOD, regardless of how He is addressed. All religions have the same goal, namely, to get to God, and it doesn’t so much matter what a person believes, as long as he is sincere and believes he is doing right in his heart. Eventually we will all end up in the same place.”
Sample (Actual) Christian Answer. “The horrific terrorist attacks upon our nation on 9/11 forever put to silence such thinking. It very much matters what a person believes and thousands of victims from September 11 attest to this fact. It was a strong belief system that led to the attacks. These men were very sincere in what they believed. They were totally dedicated to Allah even to the point of sacrificing their very lives. Other Muslims may label them as extremists, but they did not consider themselves to be extreme. They believed that they were faithfully following the teachings of Muhammad as set forth in the Koran. They believed with all their hearts that upon the completion of their mission they would appear in heaven to enjoy sensual pleasures forevermore, having received a WELL DONE from their God.
“So the next time someone tells you that it doesn’t matter what you believe about religion as long as you are sincere, remind them of 9/11 and that it is crucially important that a person believes the right thing about God, the way to get to God and what a person must do in order to get to heaven (John 14:6; Acts 4:12; Acts 16:31).”
Critical analysis of the “Christian” Answer:
This poor deluded soul believes that the Muslims were responsible for the 9/11 attacks. That immediately shows that the author of that answer cannot discern truth. The Bible tells us that God’s spirit will lead us into ALL truth (John 16:13) including spiritual, medical and political truth because Jesus is “the . . . truth.” (John 14:6) (For information on what really happened on 9/11, see “The Truth about 9/11” at www.goodnewsaboutgod.com)
I agree that it matters that one believes the “right thing about God” yet the Christians’ belief in God is virtually identical to the Muslims’. The Muslims believe in a fierce God who will destroy His enemies, and that they too (the Muslims) have the obligation to destroy God’s enemies as they define God’s enemies, and as they see fit.
But the Christians believe the same thing about God. Christians believe in a fierce God who will destroy His enemies - in burning hellfire – and burn them forever and ever and ever – as punishment for a few short years of sinning on this earth. These evil people, according to the Christians, must be tortured for billions and billions of years in burning hellfire. And that is just a beginning. There will be NO END to the suffering of these people by the “loving God” of the “Christian” church.
Christians don’t believe they have the right to kill those who don’t believe as they do (as the Muslims do) except in the following instances - Christians believe that God approves of killing:
1) during wars against any and all nations - wars which are now perpetual,
2) by self-defense,
3) by the assassination of leaders of countries that we are propagandized to believe are against us,
4) by the torture of enemy combatants presumed guilty - even without a trial,
5) in pre-emptive strikes – carried out to kill our presumed enemies (with no proof that they are our enemies) “before they have a chance to kill us,”
6) by condoning and supporting the right of medical doctors to kill patients by drug medications, chemotherapy and radiation, all of which the Bible identifies as “sorceries and witchcraft.” (See “Are Doctors a Gift from God?” at www.drday.com) Also, please note that “Healthcare” is the leading cause of death in America,
7) committing suicide slowly by eating oneself to death against the direct command of God that our “body is God’s temple and he that destroys God’s temple, him will God destroy.” (1 Cor 3:17)
8) by the war on terror – with such a vague “enemy” that their would be no identifiable person or country to which to “surrender” even if we wanted to.
9) by, hundreds of years ago, killing all the Native Americans inhabiting the U.S. (Did we presume they “deserved it”?)Christians don’t believe they have the right to kill another person, except in these (many) times of crisis. Then they hire someone else to do it for them, such as the military, the CIA, the doctor, etc. If that is not enough, then God Himself will be the “Christian’s Cosmic Hit-man” who will exterminate His (God’s) – and their - enemies with eternal hellfire!
This is the “god” that the “Christian” church promotes as a “Loving God.”
2. Can’t God Save Everyone?
Question from a non-Christian. Wouldn’t a Loving God save everyone He has created? After all, if He is GOD He should be able to do anything.
Sample (Actual) Christian Answer. One of the most widespread but unsound religious teachings of our day is that there are many roads to God. If men are sincere, we are told, it does not matter which path they travel—in the end they will all reach the same destination.
Speaking to a large audience on God's eternal purpose in relation to man, a nationally prominent educator quoted an Old Testament declaration that God created man for His own glory, and said that this purpose cannot be defeated. All men, he said, are brothers, and at the last great gathering not even the most erring ones will be missing.
The speaker depicted a beautiful palace standing in a delightful garden. There was only one entrance to the castle, though there were many roads that led to it from all directions. On these roads throngs of pilgrims traveled. Many climbed over tortuous mountain trails; others followed less rocky paths; some, with songs and laughter traversed smooth and flower-bordered ways. But all, finally arrived at the palace gates, and then it mattered not that some had found the journey hard and painful, for all the sufferings of the way were forgotten in their complete and perfect joy.
A pretty picture, this—but not a true one!
Since by divine revelation alone we can discover the way to God, we must turn to the Bible, rather than to man's imagination, for our guidance.
Jesus Christ describes the two roads open to men. One is a straight, narrow pathway leading to God and eternal life. The other is a broad and easy road leading to final destruction. On this broad road are many travelers, enjoying the fellowship of their comrades and thinking little about their destination. On the narrow way are fewer pilgrims, but a heavenly radiance lights their pathway.
Our Lord stated it this way:
“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: 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).
Critical Analysis of the “Christian” Answer: In this instance, the non-Christian asking the question reveals a greater understanding of God’s character than does the “Christian” giving the answer.
God not only can – but will – save everyone He has created. But only after changing them into His image, only after winning them back from Satan and putting His (Christ’s) character in them, only after they have reaped what they have sown and recognize their need for Jesus Christ to run their life.
There are over 100 texts in the Bible that say God is going to save everyone – but only after each one has “reaped what he has sown.”
God is NOT a Loser. He did NOT create a creature – Satan – who can out-smart God and win God’s children away from God – permanently. God knows how to win them back, and He will.
A few of those texts are listed here:
“God is the Savior of ALL mankind. . .” 1 Timothy 4:10
There shall be “a restitution of ALL things, which God hath spoken by the mouth of all His holy prophets since the world began.” Acts 3:21
“ALL creation, which now groans, shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God.” Romans 8:19-23
God “WILL have ALL men to be saved, and to come to the knowledge of the truth.” 1 Timothy 2:1-6
“For God sent not His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the WORLD through Him might be SAVED.” John 3:17
“Behold, the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the (whole) world. John 1:29
ALL the various Christian denominations teach that God gave man “free will” and that God will not be able to win back to Himself the vast majority of all those He has created. They believe that God cannot “save” a person unless the person “let’s God save Him.” Christians don’t realize that by that false doctrine, they have made themselves – human beings – into their own “god” – because they have become, they think, more powerful than God! They believe that God can only do what THEY let Him do.
But the Bible tells us a very different doctrine.
God is “working ALL things according to the counsel of HIS OWN Will.” - NOT ours! Ephesians 1:11
Watch, in 1 Samuel, Chapters 4-7, the heathen Philistines suddenly find themselves worshiping the God of Israel!
When Israel had turned away from God as that nation so often did, they were ripe for conquering and captivity by their enemies, as they were no longer under God’s protection. The Philistines came to battle against Israel and slew 4,000 of the Israelite army.
So the Israelites decided to bring the sacred ark with God’s presence from the Most Holy Place in the sanctuary to the battleground - for protection – to use it as a religious relic, similar to a Catholic’s plastic idol of a saint on the car dashboard. The Israelites assumed that if they had their relic, the ark – with God’s presence inside or above the cover – they would be safe in battle. Two priests, Hophni and Phinehas, the wicked sons of Eli, a righteous priest, carried the ark into battle.
The Israelites had “God” in their relic – but NOT in their hearts!
Not only were Hophni and Phinehas killed in the battle, but the ark was taken by the Philistines, who placed it in the temple they had built for their pagan god, Dagon, in the city of Ashdod. The next morning the Philistines found that the pagan god, Dagon, had “bowed” to the God of the Israelites. The statue of Dagon had fallen flat on its face in front of the ark.
After restoring Dagon to its upright position, the following morning the statue had again fallen down, this time breaking off its head and its hands. In addition, God “destroyed” the people of Ashdod and the surrounding areas when He “smote them with tumors.”
The Philistines then moved the ark to the city of Gath, and the same thing happened. “The hand of the Lord was against the city with a very great destruction; and He smote the men of the city, both small and great, and tumors broke out on them in their secret parts.” (1 Samuel 5:9)
Then they sent the ark of God to Ekron . . . “and there was a deadly destruction throughout all the city; the hand of God was very heavy there. And the men that did not die were stricken with the tumors and the cry of the city went up to heaven.” verse 11,12.
Finally the Philistine priests and diviners decided to send the ark of God back to Israel, but not without an offering of gold, and, said the Philistine leaders, we “shall give glory unto the God of Israel.” (1 Samuel 6:5)
God is sovereign. When God wants the pagan Philistine unbelievers to worship Him – THEY DO!
God is in charge of all the circumstances in the world. God’s Will supercedes man’s will in every case. God will NOT be a loser. God WILL win all of His children back.
Doesn’t God say only a small number will be saved?
What about texts like Matthew 7:13,14 that certainly seem to say that only a few of all those who have ever lived on the earth will be saved?
That is a valid question. We cannot throw out any texts in the Bible. There are approximately 25 texts that appear to say that the vast majority of all those who have ever lived on the earth will be lost permanently.
The answer lies in the Bible passage of 1 Corinthians 15:22-28 that reveals that the righteous will not all be saved all at once. They will be saved at three different times, in three different Groups:
“As in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall ALL be made alive
“But every man in his own order. . .
Not everyone will be saved at the same time. The Bible states, in this passage, that they will be saved in three different successive groups:
Group No. 1:
“Christ, the first fruits. . .” 1 Cor 15:23
When Jesus was crucified, a great earthquake occurred. When Jesus was resurrected, other “saints” were resurrected also, who, after being seen by the people in the cities, apparently were taken to heaven with Jesus
“Jesus, when He had cried again with a loud voice, died.
“And behold the veil of the temple was torn in two from the top to the bottom; and the earth did quake, and the rocks split;
“And the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints which slept arose,
“And came out of the graves after His resurrection, and went into the holy city, and appeared unto many.” Matthew 27:50-53
Group No. 2
“. . .afterward they that are Christ’s at His coming.” 1 Cor 15:23
This refers to those who will be saved at the Second Coming of Christ. This is where the texts apply that say:
“Many are called, few are chosen.” Matthew 22:14
“Narrow is the way, and few there be that find it.” Matthew 7:14
“The Lord has a little flock. . .” Luke 12:32
Group No. 3
“Then comes the end. . .when He (Christ) shall have put down all rule and all authority and power. For He must reign, till he has put all enemies under His feet.
Christ does not “put all enemies under His feet” until AFTER the Great White Throne Judgment, which is AFTER the Millennium – 1000 years after the Second Coming of Christ. (Revelation 20:2-8)
“The last enemy that shall be abolished is death. 1 Cor 15:26
When “death” is abolished, then ALL will be alive. It is impossible for anyone to be dead if “death” has been abolished.
“. . . that God may be ALL in ALL.” 1 Corinthians 15:24-28
After God has judged the unsaved who are resurrected in the Second Resurrection, they will “reap what they have sown” (each person will have “created” his own “hell”) but NOT to eternal destruction. Through their trouble, eventually they will turn to Christ and realize that He is the ONLY way.
In the end, Jesus Christ WILL “take away the SIN of the (whole) world.” John 1:29
(For more information on this subject, see “Is God a KILLER God? What Happens at the Judgment?” at www.goodnewsaboutgod.com)
“Jesus is the way. . .” (John 14:6), the only way (Acts 4:12)!
3. Aren’t All Religions the Same?
Question from non-Christians. Religious beliefs and practices notably differ from culture to culture, but does the “how” matter if they all are working towards the same goal? The philosophy that all religions are the same is widely held by many people. People base this idea on the thinking that there are different religious roads, varying in route, but all leading to the same place -- God. The outward view of different religions may differ - prayer, worship, church ordinances, etc. – but don’t they all preach love, peace, and compassion towards fellow human beings – ultimately ending up in the same place (heaven)?
Sample (Actual) Christian Answer. Can we rationally say that all religions are equally valid? Some people believe that all religions are the same based on assumptions and generalizations without any knowledge of what different religions believe or deny. How can Buddhism be true when it denies the existence of a personal God and at the same time Christianity be true when it affirms the existence of a personal God? Can there be a personal God and not be a personal God at the same time? Orthodox Judaism denies life after death and Christianity affirms life after death. The person who believes that all religions are the same does so by ignoring clear contradictions between them. This line of thinking is irrational.
What motivates people to think irrationally about the equality of different religions? Differences in religious beliefs have fueled arguments between family and friends and on many occasions have led to war. In an effort to maintain peace, should we throw out the truth?
In discussing religious toleration, I want to make it clear that I am not saying religious “freedom” should be unlawful. People have the right to choose how they worship without being persecuted for their beliefs. Our search here is for truth, whether there is only one way to God or many.
Critical Analysis of the “Christian” Answer.
The writer (above) gives two major illustrations about the perceived differences in religions. He compares,
1. Buddhism vs. Christianity
2. Orthodox Judaism vs. ChristianityLet’s discuss these two comparisons.
The author says that Buddhism denies the existence of a personal God, while Christianity affirms the existence of a personal God.
But do Christians really affirm the existence of a personal God in the way they live their life?
1. God says, “Thou shalt not kill” yet Christians believe in killing under numerous circumstances as we have discussed above. They do NOT trust (believe) in a “personal God” for their safety.
2. God promises to “heal ALL our diseases” (Psalm 103:3). If we follow God’s “laws (including His Ten Natural Health Laws), His Commandments (ALL Ten of them) and His decrees – including learning to LOVE our enemies (instead of killing them), learning to FORGIVE everyone who has ever wronged us, etc. God promises to “keep us FREE from EVERY disease.” Deut 7:11-15.
But Christians do NOT believe that a “personal God” can keep them FREE from EVERY disease, “if they follow His Laws, Commandments and decrees.” They believe in “man” – in doctors and poisonous drugs and mutilating surgery, rather than believing in God and HIS natural way of preventing and reversing diseases.
3. God promises to protect us and says, “Fear not for I am with you.” He tells us to “be anxious for nothing.” (Philippians 4:6) But all Christians, and all Christian denominations, believe in self-defense. They do NOT trust (believe) in a “personal God” who tells them to “Fear not for I am with you.”
4. God commands us to keep the Seventh-day (Saturday) holy and worship Him on that day. (Exodus 20:8-11) But virtually ALL Christian denominations feel they have a right to change the day that God Himself made holy as a memorial of His Creation.
5. Nearly all Christians believe that one must be a member of a church. Evangelical Pastor, Rick Warren’s book, A Purpose Driven Life, says that if one is not a member of the church, he is not in the will of God. (See www.goodnewsaboutgod.com under “Purpose Driven Life” in the Monthly Bible Study section) Yet everything in the Bible (in the original Greek and Hebrew) confirms that God NEVER wanted an “Organized Church.” (See the study by that name on the same website.)
6. Christians are far more interested in “working for the church” than getting to KNOW God personally by in-depth, diligent Bible study. Their lives are often devoted to “service” to the “church” which they mistake as service to God.
God does not want our “service.” God wants us to get to know Him – to be one with Him - to allow Him to work through us, rather than for us to decide what we will do for God.
Protestant Christians will always claim they do not believe in “Salvation by works.” Yet they choose to run their life their own way, rather than allowing God to direct every step they take. They choose to believe and trust in “man” – doctors, pastors, and the government – rather than believing and trusting in God.
Buddhists openly admit that they believe in “man” and that “man” can “work” his way to “heaven.”
Christians, by their actions, affirm the same belief in “man” and not God. But they have deceived themselves into believing that they ”trust” God and are doing His will.
So, indeed, all organized religions are the same.
Buddhists trust in “man” and openly deny the existence of God
Christians trust in “man” while claiming they trust in God, but their actions deny the existence of God.
Another Sample (Actual) Christian Answer. Most people believe in God, even Satan does. But to receive salvation, we must turn to God, form a personal relationship, turn away from our sins, and follow Him. We must trust in Jesus with everything we have and everything we do.
“Now this is eternal life: that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent" (John 17:3).
"This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference" (Romans 3:22).
The Bible teaches that there is no other way to salvation than through Christ. Jesus says in John 14:6,
"I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me."
Jesus is the only way of salvation because He is the only One who can pay our sin penalty (Romans 6:23). No other religion teaches the depth or seriousness of sin and its consequences. No other religion offers the infinite payment of sin that only Jesus Christ could provide. No other “religious founder” was God become man (John 1:1,14) – the only way an infinite debt could be paid. Jesus had to be God so that He could pay our debt. Jesus had to be man so He could die. Salvation is available only through faith in Jesus Christ!
“Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved” (Acts 4:12).
Critical Analysis of the “Christian” Answer
Though all of the texts quoted above are true, Jesus’ death on the cross was not “in our place.” Jesus did not die “so we don’t have to die.” Jesus died on the cross because He took responsibility for the whole sin problem. God Himself admits that HE subjected the whole world to sin
“For the creation was not made subject to futility (sin) voluntarily, but by Him Who subjects it, in expectation that the (entire) creation itself, also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God.” Romans 8:20,21
God is in charge of the whole universe, including this world. God freely admits that He is the one who subjected the world to sin. After all, He created Satan, the Adversary.
“I created the Waster (Destroyer) to Destroy.” Isaiah 5416
“My hand formed the crooked serpent.” Job 26:13
“The devil has been a murderer (and a liar) – from the beginning.” John 8:44
The question is: From the “beginning” of what?
Not from the beginning of the world. Satan was sinning long before God created the world. Satan was already sinning long before God put Satan in the Garden of Eden as soon as the creation was finished.
“Satan was a murderer” - - - from the beginning of Satan! - from his being created as “the Adversary” (the literal meaning of the word Satan).
By dying on the cross and thus taking responsibility for the sins of the world – the whole sin problem - Jesus obtained the authority to save every person in the world by making them all, eventually, like Him – through trials and tribulations.
“We glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation produces perseverance, and perseverance produces character, and character produces expectation, and expectation (of what God is going to do) does not disappoint; because the love of God is poured out in our hearts by God’s breath of holiness which is given unto us.” Romans 5:3-5
We only change when we have trouble. As long as everything is going along fine, we don’t change!
Everyone will have trouble.
“In this world, you WILL have tribulation. But be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” John 16:33
No one will be left out. ALL will be made new!
“Behold, I make ALL new.” Revelation 21:5
(For more information, please see, “Why did God Create Humanity into a Universe Already Contaminated with Sin?” at www.goodnewsaboutgod.com)
4. Christianity is exclusive. Christians believe that those outside the church aren't saved.
Question from the non-Christians. Christianity teaches that only Christians will be saved. What about all those who have never heard of Jesus Christ? What about a 14 year-old boy who was raised by a drug addict prostitute mother and an alcoholic father and died in a gang war gunfight. How much chance did he have to know Jesus?
Sample (Actual) Christian Answer: Christianity does not teach that only Christians deserve to go to heaven. Rather, it teaches that no one deserves to go to heaven, because we have all done wrong during our lives (Rom 3:23). We can gain admittance to heaven by repenting of our wrongs, accepting Jesus Christ's death as payment for our wrongs and deciding to follow and worship Him as Lord. The principle is that Jesus is the only way to God, not any particular church or denomination (Jn 6:40). Thus, salvation is accessible to everyone and is intended by God for everyone:
“Turn to me and be saved, all you ends of the earth.” (Is 45:22)
“I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone...This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who WILLS (many translations use the word “wants”) all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all men.” (1 Tim 2:1, 3-6)
The word WILLS in this passage is often changed, by the translators, to the word wants or desires. That is a deliberate insult to God. It says that God is UNABLE to do what He has promised to do. The word WILLS is the Greek word thelo (#2309 in Strong’s Concordance)– from the Greek word thelema (#2307 in Strong’s Concordance). It means determination! It means that God has determined that He WILL do what He has set out to do.
The word desire (or wants) # 1937 in Strong’s Concordance (epithumeo) is a totally different word. Used in this way, it denotes inability – such as, “God would like to save everyone, but He is powerless to do so.” That is blasphemous toward God, but that is what the entire “Christian” church believes.
God is NOT impotent. He CAN do what He has promised to do, and that is to be the “Savior of ALL mankind.” 1 Timothy 4:10
Critical Analysis of the Christian Answer:
This “Christian Answer” is disingenuous. Indeed, the Questioner has a point. Christians DO believe that only Christians will be saved because a follower of Christ is a Christian, and Christians believe that the ONLY way to God is “through” Jesus Christ.
Indeed, what about those who have never heard of Jesus Christ?
Christians believe that the world will end when Jesus comes. Yet they all believe in the subsequent Great White Throne Judgment of the unsaved, which most believe will take place after the millennium.
The general Christian belief is that God will resurrect the unsaved (often termed “the wicked”), tell them how bad they have been, and then send them to hellfire to burn FOREVER. A question that should come to every Christian’s mind is, “Why would God resurrect the “wicked” just so He could torture them FOREVER in a burning hellfire, particularly when the Christian church believes that no one resurrected in the Second Resurrection has ANY chance of repenting and being save.
This punitive “God” is no different from the pagan gods of the Old Testament who demanded burning sacrifices (such as Molech) to appease them. This “god” of the “Christian” Church exhibits all the characteristics of Satanic paganism and occultism.
But, as we have seen above, fortunately God is NOT like that.
Question from non-Christians. Christianity is intolerant of other beliefs.
Answer by Christians. Is refusing to call a belief false always the right thing to do? For instance, is it right to say that racism and Nazism are simply alternate belief systems that we shouldn't pass judgment on, or should we condemn these beliefs as being morally wrong? If someone believes they have the right to rape or kill whomever they please, should we accept their beliefs as an alternate lifestyle, or denounce them? Tolerance is an admirable virtue in many circumstances, but tolerating wrong by refusing to say it's wrong is in itself wrong. If Christianity is true, then there is only one God and salvation comes only through Him, and religions that deny this are not merely alternate forms of spiritual expression, but systems of belief that prevent their adherents from obtaining salvation. If Christ is in fact the only way to God, then to claim that He is not is both false and dangerous. If someone has a fatal disease, telling him that he doesn’t need to seek medical treatment is wrong. If someone can only have salvation by accepting Christ as their Savior, telling them they don't need to accept Christ is even more wrong, no matter how tolerant or well meaning it may seem to be.
Critical Analysis of Christian Answer.
Christianity is, indeed, intolerant of other beliefs including the beliefs of other denominations within the Christian community. Each denomination believes that they “have the truth.” If a Christian does not believe the “dogma” as determined by the “experts” – such as belief in the Trinity, or the Sunday resurrection, or the specific day of worship, then he is branded a heretic.
If a member of a specific denomination has the audacity to question the beliefs of that particular denomination, he or she is usually invited to “go elsewhere.” The “church” stifles all diligent study of the Bible if it reveals a doctrine that differs from the majority.
Frankly, it would be a good religion if it taught that everyone will be saved – because that is what the Bible teaches! But that does not mean that everyone will “automatically” go to heaven without reaping what they have sown and recognizing their need for Jesus Christ to run their life.
The entire “Christian” Church believes in a KILLER God, a ferocious God who will destroy all those who don’t love Him – a God who requires burning human sacrifices in hellfire forever!
But the God of heaven would NEVER burn up His children. When the children of Israel were sacrificing their children through the fire to the pagan god Molech, God was horrified. He said,
“And they built the high places of Baal, which are in the valley of the son of Hinnom, to cause their sons and their daughters to pass through the fire unto Molech; which I commanded them NOT, neither came it into My mind, that they should do this abomination to cause Judah to sin.” Jeremiah 32:35
Man has truly made a “god” in his own image – a Killer God!
“Because that, when they knew God, they glorified Him not as God, neither were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish heart was darkened.
Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools,
And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man. . .” Romans 1:21-23
But God tells us in His word that He is NOT like us.
“For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts (higher) than your thoughts.” Isaiah 55:9
God does not get angry, He does not take revenge, He does not punish. He instructs us in the right way in His word, but when we insist on living without the Lord, we will reap the consequences of our own foolish decisions.
But He still loves us. And we will all eventually come to Him. (John 3:35; 6:37-39)
In man’s world, there are winners and losers. But with God, there are NO losers.
God is love – and love NEVER fails. (1 John 4:16;1 Cor. 13:8)
Conclusion:
The real reason that the only way to God is through Jesus Christ is quite simple.
Non-Christians don’t necessarily believe in the Bible or in Jesus Christ. Quoting the Bible as the authority to someone who may not believe the Bible is true, is not often convincing.
The obvious reason why the only way to God is through Jesus Christ is the following:
A perfect universe where everyone is at peace, whether one wishes to call it Nirvana, Utopia, or Heaven, or the New Earth, would require that there would be no stealing, no murdering, no lying, no adultery, no disrespecting of parents, no anger, no uncleanness, no licentiousness, no selfishness, no jealousy, no selfish ambitions, and no dissensions.
How could that be accomplished? It would require everyone to have one essential element in their character: love – the same love for others as one has for himself.
If the world is governed by love – true love – not the mushy, superficial, sentimental love that viciously turns on the one who does not return that love, but the unselfish love that Jesus showed to those who called for His death, then there will truly be “peace on earth.” Jesus prayed for those who crucified Him, saying, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.”
He loved His enemies, and He instructs us to love our enemies.
When we have the love of Jesus in our hearts, we will exhibit joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faith, meekness, and self-control – the fruits of the spirit of Christ.
The works of the flesh are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, licentiousness, idolatry, witchcraft (sorcery), hatred, contentions, jealousies, anger, selfish ambitions, dissension, heresies, envyings, murders, drunkenness and revellings “and they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.” (Galatians 5:19-21)
But the fruit of God’s spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faith, meekness, and self-control.
The only perfect person who ever lived on earth was Jesus Christ. Whether or not a person thinks Jesus was a myth, He was the only One who ever claimed to be perfect. Jesus was the “walking, talking” Ten Commandments – a transcript of God’s character. He was “God’s law” in human form. He never hurt anyone, never killed anyone, He loved His enemies – even those who tortured and crucified Him. When the soldiers came to arrest Jesus to take Him to His death, He did not resist.
Jesus even healed the severed ear of one of the soldiers who came to arrest and kill him, the ear that had been amputated by the sword of Peter, one of Jesus’ disciples. Jesus told Peter to put away his sword.
Only when everyone is obeying God’s Ten Commandments and exhibiting the character of Jesus will there be true peace in the world.
But no human being can accomplish this by his own power. No human being can achieve this completely unselfish love by trying to keep the Ten Commandments.
Only when Jesus is truly living in the heart can a person continually exhibit the character of Jesus. Then the heart will be pure - with no tendency to sin – no propensity to violate even one of the Ten Commandments.
The love of Jesus will be in his heart and he will exhibit the character of Christ because it will have become his very nature.
That is what Jesus meant when He said,
I will put My spirit in you. Ezekiel 36:27
Let this mind be in you which was in Christ Jesus. Phil 2:5
Behold, I make all new. Rev. 21:5 (literal translation)
Jesus came to destroy the works of the devil (the sin in our lives). 1 John 3:8
You shall be perfect, even as your Father in Heaven is perfect. (Matt 5:48 – literal translation)
Only when everyone has the love of Jesus in his heart will we have peace in the Universe.
God is Invisible - because God is love. Humanity cannot see God because God is love. (1 John 4:16) We cannot “see” love. We can only experience love and see its effect.
Jesus is the Visible form of God – the visible form of pure love - a form in which humanity can see Him. Jesus is the Ten Commandments in action. Jesus was – and is – pure love in action. Every day of His life on earth He demonstrated His love for all humanity.
Neither Buddha of Buddhism, Krishna of Hinduism, Mohammed of the Muslims, or any other religious leader in the world at any time, lived the perfect life. Neither Buddha, Krishna, nor Mohammed claimed to be God. Nor can any of them instill the perfect “life” into their followers. All three of these religions believe in Salvation by Works – to one extent or another – the theory that man can work his way to heaven/perfection.
But even a superficial look at the world today will reveal that man cannot become perfect by his own works.
Only a divine supernatural transformation of a person’s heart can allow the love of God to be exhibited through him. Only by “beholding” Christ can we be changed into His image - to exhibit His character (2 Cor 3:18). There is no other way.
Man cannot accomplish this by his own works. It is a gift from Jesus Christ.
Why is Jesus the ONLY Way to God?
Because Jesus IS God!
