What if Jesus Christ is Really the Only Way to Heaven?

I’ve discussed over the last couple of days the truth that Jesus Christ is the ONLY way to salvation. I don’t say that out of arrogance or a desire to be right or because I think I have all the answers. I say that because it’s true – Jesus Christ is the only way to salvation – Period. There is no other way.

That’s what 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); Jesus is the one and only access to the Father. Peter, inspired by the Spirit of God, also declared Jesus to be the only way to salvation: “There is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved” (Acts 4:12). You won’t find salvation in Islam; you won’t find salvation in being spiritual; you won’t find salvation in being a good person. You find salvation in Jesus and ONLY in Jesus.

What if the church really came to believe that Jesus is the only way to heaven? I don’t mean knowing that truth – the church knows and preaches that truth. But, what if the church really came to grasp the full reality of the exclusiveness of Christianity and every Christian felt down to his very core that Jesus is the only way to heaven? I think our world would be different. Here’s how:

First: We’d share our faith with our friends, neighbors, and loved ones. We’d recognize their perilous state without Jesus. Paul said that those outside of Christ have “no hope and [are] without God in the world” (Ephesians 2:12). Why would we wish for our friends, neighbors, and loved ones to be without hope and without God? If we really believe Jesus is the only way to salvation, we’ll take the saving message of Jesus to them!

Second: We’d live in a way that draws people to Jesus. “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven” (Matthew 5:14-16). Peter encouraged wives to be subject to their husbands “so that even if some do not obey the word, they may be won without a word by the conduct of their wives” (1 Peter 3:1). If we really believe Jesus is the only way to salvation, we’ll be light in this world and draw others to Jesus!

Third: We’d pray for God to send workers into His harvest. “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest” (Matthew 9:37-38). When is the last time you prayed earnestly for God to send forth workers into His vineyard? When is the last time you were driven to your knees by the realization God desperately needs men and women sharing His message? If we really believe Jesus is the only way to salvation, we’ll be earnestly praying to our Father for workers in His vineyard!

Fourth: We’d pray for the lost. “Brothers, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for them is that they may be saved” (Romans 10:1). When is the last time you prayed for the lost? When is the last time you took the names of lost friends and loved ones before the throne of Almighty God? If we really believe Jesus is the only way to salvation, we’ll pray for the lost!

Fifth: We’ll support missionaries. Missionaries play a vital role in helping people turn from dead gods to the Resurrected Christ. “How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? And how are they to preach unless they are sent?” (Romans 10:14-15). Indeed, how are missionaries to travel to distant lands with the soul-saving message of Jesus unless they are sent? If we really believe Jesus is the only way to salvation, we’ll dig as deep into our pockets as possible to support the preaching of Jesus’ Gospel!

Without a doubt – whether we believe it or not – Jesus is the only way to salvation. It’s time for the church to wake from its slumber, recognize the seriousness of being outside of Christ, and begin an effort to cover the earth with the Gospel as the waters cover the sea!

God bless!