"One Way"

 

“One Way”

 

Years ago two men traveled around the country conducting week long evangelistic efforts at churches, camps and other venues. One was the preacher and the other the musician who played organ, piano, accordion and guitar. He also wrote a new song in each service. The only one I remember accurately contained the line, “Some folks…say we are traveling different roads but they all lead to Heaven.” Is this true? At the risk of being labeled a fence-straddler let me say, it depends.

It’s true that each one of us has an individual life journey. We can hear God’s salvation message at home, Sunday School, Vacation Bible School, camp, church services, small groups, hospital and motel rooms through a Gideon-placed Bible and a myriad of other ways. But do they all lead to Heaven? Only if they converge at the cross where Jesus died to pay the price for sin and provide forgiveness. The next part of the song cited above accurately states, “But God’s Word does plainly say Jesus is the only way.” In speaking to the Jewish leaders Peter emphatically said, “Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name (i.e. Jesus) under heaven given to (people) by which we must be saved.” (Acts 4:12, emphasis added). And Jesus Himself declared, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” (John 14:6, emphasis added).

Let me try to illustrate this truth. When Karen and I plan a trip requiring a flight we have a number of options for getting to the airport (e.g. a friend dropping us off, park and fly, taxi, public transportation). But once we arrive at the terminal there’s only one way to board an aircraft: by going through the TSA security checkpoint. Now and then we hear of someone who tries to circumvent security but is promptly chased down and arrested and, needless to say, is denied access to any plane. Similarly, we may arrive at a point of encountering God in various ways but we can only be accepted by Him through Jesus (see John 14:6 above). Earlier Jesus had said, “I tell you the truth, the (person) who does not enter the sheep pen by the gate, but climbs in by some other way, is a thief and a robber.” (John 10:1).

There’s only one way to God: His way! Any other attempt is doomed to failure and separation from Him (“There is a way that seems right to a {person}, but in the end it leads to death.”—Proverbs 14:12). He’s spoken—how will we respond?

 

Grace and Blessings!

Jim McMillan