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 ↩︎

What If…

Posted on by josiahkagin

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Everywhere we turn there are people who are in need of the Savior—Jesus Christ. For certain, there are people who have rejected Him completely. People like Stephen Hawkings who completely denied the existence of God. However, that is not the average condition of the people we pass day after day. In fact, atheists only make up about 3% +/-  of the American population. More than 96% of the unchurched have admitted that they would attend church if they were invited. The overwhelming majority of people are simply wandering aimlessly through life oblivious to the severity of their need. In reality, they are simply blind. They do not see their own sinfulness. They do not see the pending judgement that is only a breath away. They do not see their need for Jesus even though they will dutifully go to church to celebrate His birth and resurrection. They are blind!

2 Corinthians 4:4  In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.

Christ commissioned us to be lights to those who walk in darkness around us. We live to illuminate Jesus for those whom the devil desires to keep in darkness. He does not want them to see their need. He does not want them to see that they are dangerously close to an eternity of fiery consequence for their sin against a holy God.

I find that many believers are very content to be assured of their own salvation from hell, but paralyzed in fear to witness of it to others. Even more, I find that believers can produce only a few names that they are regularly praying for to be saved. One thing is sure, those who neglect to pray for the lost are not likely to witness to the lost.

I have a WHAT IF question for you today. A question that came crashing into my mind and caused me to think. What if God only saved the people that are on your prayer list and for whom you are praying daily? How many people would be in heaven with you?

May God enlarge our vision for the lost all around us.

Much People

Posted on by josiahkagin

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Read Acts 18:1-18

Acts 18:9-10 “Then spake the Lord to Paul in the night by a vision, Be not afraid, but speak, and hold not thy peace: For I am with thee, and no man shall set on thee to hurt thee: for I have much people in this city.“

Paul had just arrived in Corinth and met Aquila and Priscilla who just moved into town from Italy (Rome). He was led by the Spirit to preach the Good New of Jesus Christ to the Jew at their synagogue but they vehemently opposed the message. This did not stop Paul, he just looked for the next divine appointment. He went next door to Justus’ house, who was a worshipper of God, and he saw Crispus, the chief ruler of the synagogue, come to Christ for salvation along with his family and many Corinthians. What a great work of God!

Yet Paul must have sense the rising anger among the Jews from what had happened that day because the Lord gave him encouragement during the night (18:9-10). Praise God! He always encourages those who are doing His will. Notice how the Lord encourages Paul. He first commands him not to be afraid to continue to preach the Good News. Why? Because the Lord would be with him. That alone would be enough. No matter what comes, if the Lord is with us, we will be just fine. Then the Lord gives further encouragement in these words, “…for I have much people in this city.” Now if your calling was to be a preacher of the Good News of Jesus Christ (and it is, see Matthew 28:19-20), those words would lift your heart and give a divine expectation of the harvest to come. Though opposition would yet come, Paul could be confident that the Lord would raise up a Church in the city of Corinth based on His Word.

I believe that no matter the location in which we serve the Lord, we can be encouraged with this divine encouragement. After all, God did put it in the Bible for us. We can be assured that God will be with us no matter what and He has much people in our city who will accept that Good News as we give it. Notice that Paul did not quit, he stayed in Corinth a year and six months. Don’t quit with a little opposition, be encouraged that in our city there are people like Crispus and his family and many Ketterenians that will receive the Good News and be saved.

John 4:35 “…I say unto you, Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest.”