Tony Jeffrey
Is there only one way to God? Jim Denison, PHD, founder and CEO of Denison Ministries, answers this question in his book Biblical Insight to Tough Questions: Volume 1. The following is taken from his essay and used with permission.
“Polio is a disease caused by tiny virus particles which attack the spinal cord. Why is polio not feared as it once was? The answer is Jonas Salk. Dr. Salk, an American scientist, announced in 1953 that he had developed a trial vaccine for polio. By 1955, his discovery was being used across the world.
“Unfortunately, there is another disease which still exists today and is far worse than polio. This disease has infected every person who has ever lived and is always fatal. Fortunately, there is a vaccine which will work for every person on earth and is free of charge. The disease is sin, our broken relationship with God. The cure is salvation through Jesus Christ, His Son. And yet, questions persist about this spiritual, eternal ‘vaccine’: Aren’t all faiths the same? Why is there only one way to God?
“Several facts are clear in God’s Word and essential to our question. First, Jesus alone claimed divinity (John 14:9). Other religious leaders claimed to reveal God; Jesus alone claims to be God. Second, Jesus is preparing our place in heaven (John 14:2). Other religious leaders taught about heaven or the afterlife; Jesus alone claimed to be preparing it for us. Third, Jesus will take us to heaven personally (John 14:3). Other leaders taught about the way to heaven; Jesus alone claimed to take us there. Fourth, Jesus is the only way to the Father (John 14:6). His Greek was emphatic and could be rendered: ‘I Am THE way and THE truth, and THE life.’ Later he was even more emphatic: ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me’ (Matthew 28:18). No one in all of human history has ever made this claim.
“We may either agree or disagree with Jesus, but we need to know what He believed about himself. He never claimed to be a religious teacher or leader or one way to God among many. He claimed to be the only way to eternity in heaven.
“Jesus’ statements are politically incorrect, to say the least. Our basic problem with God is called ‘sin.’ We have all made mistakes and committed sins in our lives. These failures have separated us from a righteous and pure God. The only way to heaven which works is the way which deals with these sins. And only Christianity does. No other religion offers forgiveness for sins, grace for sinners, and the security of salvation. Only Jesus.”
Would you like to get to know Him personally? Please come and visit us at Fellowship At The Ranch Church every Sunday at 10:30 a.m.