Many Ways to Heaven Bulletin 32

Abe Miller, Senior Minister
Thu Aug 21 08:56:09 MST 2008

                We have all heard that there are different ways to heaven. There are times I wonder if there are people among us, in our fellowship, that might believe it. When people live uncommitted lives, could that be an implication that they may believe that God will take their uncommitted self and allow them into His heaven? Or if people float from one religion to another, are they not declaring by their action that they believe there are many ways to heaven?         

               Is Jesus the only way to heaven? Do we really believe that? Or are we afraid that people will see us as too narrow minded? Was Jesus narrow minded when He declared that He is the way, the truth, and the life? That’s quite narrow, wouldn’t you say? It is not only narrow, it is also exclusive. But it is not bigoted! Nor is it egotistical! It is the truth because Jesus is the very essence of truth.         

            The Associated Press reported the following: “We remain a nation of believers, but most don’t feel their religion is the only way to eternal life.” Fifty-seven percent of evangelical church attendees polled said they believe many religions can lead to eternal life, which is in conflict with the biblical teaching, as well as the church of the past. “The survey shows religion in America is 3,000 miles wide and only three inches deep,” said D. Michael Lindsay, a Rice University sociologist of religion.        

             Without going into a long sermon with verses, charts, diagrams and a poem, Jesus Christ is Creator, Sustainer, Messiah, Savior of man’s soul, and ruler of the universe. It is impossible to study the Bible honestly and impartially without coming to that conclusion.        

             As New Testament Christians (is there any other?), we must believe, without hesitation that Jesus is the only way to attain salvation. I proclaim this with great humility and respect for Jesus and the Holy Scriptures. Earlier I quoted Jesus in (John 14:6) He is not saying, “I am a way, I am a truth, I am a life, “as the pluralist would say. Because He is “The Way,” there is no going without Him. Because He is “The Truth,” there is no knowing without Him. Because He is “The Life,” there is no living without Him. So then, all others who might claim that “there are many ways to heaven” must be false ways.