Is Jesus the Only Path to God?

Posted on by josiahkagin

Are there many ways to God or just one way? Does one go to heaven after death because they were religious, sincere and a pretty good person? The death of Pope Francis has seized the attention of the world and brings these timeless questions to the forefront once again.

A Revealing Statement

While speaking to an interreligious youth gathering in Singapore in September of 2024, Pope Francis made this revealing statement.

“Religions are seen as paths trying to reach God. I will use an analogy: They are like different languages that express the divine, but God is for everyone, and therefore, we are all God’s children. There is only one God, and religions are like languages that try to express ways to approach God. Some Sikh, some Muslim, some Hindu, some Christian.” 1

While what Pope Francis said to the gathering of youth is popular and politically correct, it is contrary to the Word of God and heretical.

Separated by Sin

God’s Word teaches us plainly that all men and women are sinners and separated from God. “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;” (Romans 3:23) Sin is anything we do that violates the commandments of God (1 John 3:4). In fact, we are born sinners and therefore we sin (Romans 5:12).

Our sin deserves the penalty of hell according to Revelation 21:8. “But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.”

Reconciled through Christ

Thankfully, the Bible also teaches that there is one way to be reconciled to God. That way is not through a church, religious traditions, a man or doing good things, but through Jesus Christ.

Jesus declared in John 14:6 “...I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” Amazingly, God wants all mankind to be reconciled to Himself and that is way He gave His Son, Jesus Christ, to us.

John 3:16-18 says, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. 18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.”

Jesus died in our place for our sin and rose again three days later proving His power over sin, death and hell. He offers salvation full and free to all who will believe on Him (1 Corinthians 15:1-8).

One Way

Jesus is the only way to be completely forgiven of all our sin and have eternal life with God in heaven. Pope Francis’ statement well represents a popular opinion around the world today. However, according to Scripture, it will only lead to destruction.

“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: 14 Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it. 15 Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.” (Matthew 7:13–15)

Conclusion

It is wise to heed the words of the Lord Jesus Christ, who conquered death, in John 3:36, “He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.“

Have you believed on Jesus Christ alone for the forgiveness of all of your sin and eternal life? If not, why not today?

  1. https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/259285/pope-francis-concludes-apostolic-journey-with-elderly-and-youth-of-singapore ↩︎

Book Recommendation: Shepherds for Sale

Posted on by josiahkagin

I finished listening to SHEPHERDS FOR SALE on Audible. Wow! It captured my attention! Chapter by chapter it revealed the level of compromise within the churches of America for financial gain and worldly acceptance.

Megan Basham did an excellent job on this book and I recommend that every pastor would put this book on their “read this week” list. It opened my eyes to the fierceness and the depth of the battle for truth in which we are engaged.

Check out Shepherds for Sale!

Our Personal Responsibility

Posted on by josiahkagin

It is hard to describe the work God did in our hearts during our Winter Revival and I praise Him for it! He used the clarity of His Word to instruct and encourage us as a church family to see our personal responsibility to reach the world for Jesus Christ. I appreciate the friendship of Bro. Kory Mears and the work that God has done both in and through his life. I was deeply moved by the message on the leading of the Holy Spirit in Missions. My wife and I were encouraged by the prayer and support of our church family as they sent us off on a journey to encourage and minister along side of some of our missionary partners. I am praying that God will use Grace Baptist Church to take the Gospel into all the world.

If you would like to listen to the messages, here are the links. May God use them to inspire you to give your life for Gospel of Jesus Christ.

LISTEN

  1. Our Responsibility in Missions — Kory Mears
    https://anchor.fm/gracebaptist/episodes/Our-Responsibility–Winter-Revival–Kory-Mears-e2ejkjg
  2. An All Church Strategy — Kory Mears
    https://anchor.fm/gracebaptist/episodes/An-All-Church-Strategy–Winter-Revival–Kory-Mears-e2ele4l
  3. Missions is Journeys and Teams — Kory Mears
    https://anchor.fm/gracebaptist/episodes/Missions-is-Journeys-and-Teams–Winter-Revival–Kory-Mears-e2en4c7
  4. The Holy Spirit and Missions — Kory Mears
    https://anchor.fm/gracebaptist/episodes/The-Holy-Spirit-and-Missions–Winter-Revival–Kory-Mears-e2ephht
  5. Open Doors — Kory Mears
    https://anchor.fm/gracebaptist/episodes/Open-Doors–Winter-Revival–Kory-Mears-e2epnvb

WATCH ON YOUTUBE — https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL8Epcp847UVglw0WhpBRpYuYDxRc_zb62&si=pdIdUxScjqjpQpjU

Priority Choices

Posted on by josiahkagin

Recently, my pastor, Don Williams, sent me this picture of me helping collate Bibles. Growing up, our church was involved in the Scripture ministry. We would collate, bind and prepare John and Romans, New Testaments and sometimes Bibles for different languages around the world. What a worthwhile endeavor! As a family, we would involve ourselves regularly in this process. 

Looking back, I am thankful for my parents, Jim and Dawn Kagin, who made church, the faith of our pastor and the work of the Lord a priority in our lives. Some good activities were sacrificed in order for our family to serve the Lord in this way.  I am thankful for a pastor who provided opportunities to serve the Lord in and through the local church. As a young man I really enjoyed spending time with him in the printshop and helping in the with the Scripture ministry. My parents encouraged me to be a help to my pastor and I owe so much to his influence in my life.

Parents and grandparents, never underestimate the influence of your priority choices today! Align your priorities with Christ’s priority — serving others and doing the will of God. 

“So after he had washed their feet, and had taken his garments, and was set down again, he said unto them, Know ye what I have done to you? Ye call me Master and Lord: and ye say well; for so I am. If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you. Verily, verily, I say unto you, The servant is not greater than his Lord; neither he that is sent greater than he that sent him. If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them.” (John 13:12-17)

The Church is Essential

Posted on by josiahkagin

In every generation since Jesus walked on earth, there has been a spiritual battle surrounding the church of Jesus Christ. satan hates the work of the church because it is a work that directly opposes his purposes. satan wants nothing more than to seduce as many people into thinking they can live life as they please and apart from Jesus Christ and yet spend eternity in the presence of God. satan desire for people to be convinced that sin is not that bad, hell is not real and there is no real judgment day coming.

The work of the church is simply the continuation of the work of Christ while He was here on earth. Mark 1:38 says,  “And he [Jesus] said unto them, Let us go into the next towns, that I may preach there also: for therefore came I forth.”

After Jesus arose and before He returned to Heaven, He instructed believers to preach the Gospel everywhere. Mark 16:15 And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.

Contrary to what some in high offices are saying, the church, the preaching of the Gospel and the salvation of souls is essential work. Whether that happens in a safe drive-in service, over livestream, via video, via text, letters, phone calls, Zoom or FaceTime, the church (believers) must preach the Gospel in our day. Why? Jesus told us in Mark 8:36 “For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?” What good is your achievements (status, health, financial) in this life if you spend your eternity apart from Christ in hell.

In the book of Acts, the church began to get comfortable. Rather than taking the Gospel into all the world, they stayed in Jerusalem. They were not motivated. The were had become stagnant. God allowed persecution to scatter them and the Bible tell us in Acts 8:4 “Therefore they that were scattered abroad went every where preaching the word.”

This is not a time for the church to wring its hands, to be silent or to draw back in fear. While we must honor those who are in authority over us, we must continue the work of Christ—preaching the Gospel. We must be faithful to deliver the Good News in every way available.

satan thinks he has slowed the spread of the Gospel through COVID-19. Jesus has promised that in every season that the church of Christ will continue to be built by Christ and upon the deity of Christ in face of opposition and persecution. Matthew 16:18  “And I [Jesus] say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.”

There is no doubt in my mind that more opposition to the work of Christ will come in our day. 2 Timothy 3:12 assures us, “Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.” However, because we are on the side of Christ, nothing will prevail against the church of Christ…we have His promise. satan thought he had won the victory over Christ at Calvary, yet on Sunday morning our Savior stepped out of the tomb in divine demonstration of His overwhelming power over sin, death, hell and satan.

May the church of the living God take courage. Our Savior is risen and we partner with Him in His essential work in the world today.

Easter Journey

Posted on by josiahkagin

As we approach this Easter, it is my desire to take a special online journey with you through the passion week of Christ beginning with the Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem. That will be the subject of my Palm Sunday message. You can join us for that message at watchGBC.com at 10:30am (EST). Monday through Friday, I will post a video right here on my blog, at watchGBC.com and at our Facebook page. These videos will track the events of the passion week and give a brief devotional thought. I hope this journey will encourage you and motivate your love for Jesus Christ.