"...how can we know the way?" 

Jesus told him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me."  

(John 14:5-6)

Is Jesus the only way to God?  In today's "progressive" society, many rail against such a notion and state it is not "inclusive" enough.  Yet Jesus -- God in the flesh -- could not have been any clearer:

  

Jesus is the Only Way - The True Concept of Salvation

So how can Christians rightly state that Jesus is the only way to God?  Part of the problem with this question is based on the false premise that one can be saved by b a concept of salvation by works. In other words, the person asking it still believes that people can get to heaven by being good enough. Scripture says this is decidedly not the case: 

" As it is written: 'There is no one righteous, not even one'" ( Romans 3:10). 

" Therefore no one will be declared righteous in His sight by observing the law; rather, through the law we became conscious of sin" ( Romans 3:20). 

" All who rely on observing the law are under a curse, for it is written: 'Cursed is everyone who does not continue to do everything written in the Book of the Law.' Clearly no one is justified before God by the law, because, 'The righteous will live by faith'" ( Galatians 3:10-11). 

Since no one is good enough to get into heaven (if they were, then Christ's sacrifice would have been meaningless, and the entire Christian religion is empty and void), then we must rely on our faith in the One True God, and allow ourselves to be saved by His grace alone. 

This grace is conditioned only on acceptance. And indeed, " everyone who calls on the name of the LORD will be saved" ( Joel 2:32; Acts 2:21; Romans 10:13). 

And God clearly states that He will judge our hearts. " For the LORD searches every heart and understands every motive behind thoughts. If you seek Him, He will be found by you; but if you forsake Him, He will reject you forever" ( 1 Chronicles 28:9). 

When Christians say that Jesus is the only way to God, they base this on the words of Christ in Scripture. From Scripture, we also know that God will judge our hearts. God also knows our opportunities. The person who grows up having never read Scripture or having never been introduced to Christ, but is devoted to the god under whom he was raised, may have an excuse -- I say "may" because something inside them (the Holy Spirit that tugs on everyone's heart -- see  Revelation 3:20) should guide them into a belief that their religion is false, or at least that something is wrong with it. It is something they may struggle with their entire lives. 

If you grew up in one of the myriad cultures that performed ritual human sacrifice as a form of worship, then something inside you should say that is wrong. The same with someone who only knows Islam, Buddhism, or any of the tribal religions still practiced around the world, but less obviously. Something inside -- the Holy Spirit that you seek -- should make you uneasy with any sort of strict adherence to the false religion. 

Jesus is the Only Way - The Heart of the Matter

How can Christians say that Jesus is the only way, when there are people in parts of the world who have never heard about Jesus? Once you get to the heart of a question like this, you see that it rarely -- if ever -- is even a question at all. The fact that they are even around posing the question demonstrates that they aren't so much concerned with "those poor people that never heard about Jesus," but rather are looking for ways to either delay or get out of making a commitment to the Living God. 

If they are truly concerned about them, shouldn't they also be concerned about themselves? Why haven't they accepted God yet? Is God good enough for those in Africa or Tibet, but somehow not good enough for them? Do they "believe there is a God" or "believe in Christianity," but do not care enough for themselves or God to actually become a Christian? 

The Bible doesn't speak to this issue, because we are commanded as Christians to " go and make disciples of all nations" ( Matthew 28:19). What we are supposed to do is tell the world about the God that saved us-and if He truly did, isn't it natural to tell people about it? I mean, if someone saved you from a burning building, you would tell everyone. How much more so should we tell people about the eternal salvation God has given you? 

If we are doing what we as Christians are supposed to do, then we needn't worry about those that may not have heard the message yet. Because we both understand our God, and know that He is powerful enough to present Himself to all, "s o that men are without excuse." ( Romans 1:20)

(2)  J esus' first recorded words in His earthly ministry were and remain, " Repent and believe in the Good News " ( Mark 1:15 ).  To repent  is a "180" -- a complete, radical change of mind and heart as it relates our sin. To believe  (pisteuo in the original Greek) as Jesus intends it here is to cry out to God for your salvation and wholeheartedly  surrender in repentance and faith in Christ  in the same way we have "faith" that our body armor will do its job against the rounds it is intended to stop, that our weapons will function properly in when facing criminals intent on destroying us, or that a warrior's parachute will open when it is supposed to (we stake our very lives on it)!  And the "Good News"?  That is simply the Gospel of Christ! 

(3)  This same concept of " believe " (the saving/changing kind) is further revealed in John 3:1-21  where Jesus says, "... you must be born again. " Note our Lord's emphasis on the word " must " (not "may" or "should"): this is ultimately the life-saving/life-changing  personal relationship (and NOT "religion") with Jesus Christ that I stress here every week (see What does it mean to be a born again Christian ?) through which we are in fact made "righteous" before a just and Holy God. 

(4)  As I shared here today,  Jesus is in fact the only One who can save us and the ONLY way we can be saved (John 14:6, Acts 4:12)! 

(5)  Then, with this in place, open your heart to:  How can I be saved? 

(6) More?  Take a few minutes to watch police officer (Major) Travis Yates'  Cops and Salvation. 

Have you said "yes" to Jesus as your Lord and Savior but are wondering what to do next? Then click on,  Now what?   Understand also that the "Now what?" MUST include regular "iron sharpens iron" (Prov. 27:17) fellowship with other believers -- including (for us cops) other mature Christians and Christian officers who can help support you, encourage you, disciple (help you grow) you in the faith while holding you lovingly accountable.  Message me for help in doing that!  

More questions?  Here to serve -- contact me!