“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
About forty years ago, a publisher came out with a modern translation of the Bible that was titled One Way. I remember well a few friends who thought this claim was a bit narrow-minded. There will always be those who challenge our faith in Jesus by saying, “How can Jesus be the only way to God and Heaven? I believe that all religions lead to God. We all get to God by different roads.”
Nothing could be further from the truth. The fact that “there is salvation in no one else but Jesus” is not something Peter just made up; it was a teaching of Jesus himself. Jesus himself said, “I am the way…No one can come to the Father except through me” (John 14:6).
This was not arrogance; it was a truthful statement that only Jesus could fulfill the Father’s required punishment for sin – thereby, conquering sin itself. Jesus came as the only perfect, sinless human to ever live, and he took the punishment for our sin. No other religious teacher could die for our sins; no other religious teacher came to earth as God’s only Son; and no other religious teacher rose from the dead. Only one road takes you to God; only one road guarantees forgiveness of sin and everlasting life – that road is Jesus Himself.
Jesus doesn’t provide us with different options to try; He says, “I am the way you should go. I am the only meaningful pursuit”.
Today, many television personalities and other celebrities are embracing the claims of a book called The Secret. The idea behind this latest feel-good philosophy is that you can wish your way to success. While some of the teaching sounds pretty good, the reality is that the premise for the book is based on narcissism.
Jesus is who He claimed to be. He is the way, the truth, and the life.
Personal Application:
What did Christ mean when he said, “Whoever enters through Me will be saved” in John 10:9?
Jesus was clear when He said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” (John 14:6) How can you apply this truth to those who wish to confront you with other theories related to knowing God?
Jim Grassi, D. Min.