IS CHRIST THE ONLY WAY?

JOHN 14:1–11

Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me”

(John 14:6).

Is Christianity the only way to God? Aren’t all religions ultimately the same, and aren’t they all ways to God? These are frequently asked questions, and we need to think about them so that we might learn how to give clear and compelling answers in defense of God’s truth.

The content of Christianity

When we examine the content of the world religions, we see that at cardinal points of values and truth claims, they are mutually exclusive. The New Testament tells us that justification is by faith, that there is a necessary content to that faith, and that if you reject that faith you cannot be justified.

No religion except Christianity has an atonement. How can a person believe that Christ’s atonement saves him, and yet also think that the atonement is unnecessary? Let me be candid: When people say that all religions are basically the same, they are actually saying that they know little or nothing about world religion. They are simply expressing a popular sentiment which they haven’t thought out to its logical conclusion.

One way

The notion that all religions are valid is logically impossible. If all are valid ways to God, then Christianity is also valid and Jesus is simply one of many ways to God. But we find that Jesus said He was the only way, and that no one can come to God except through Him. Jesus Himself eliminated all other ways.

Thus, if Christ is one of the ways to God, He has to be the only way. Or else this Jesus, who is one of the ways, is dead wrong when He claims to be the only way, in which case it would be foolish to think that He is even one of the ways.

Christians did not come up with the idea that Jesus is the only way to God. That idea originated with Jesus. If He was wrong, then Christianity has no validity at all. If He was right, then there is no other way.

CORAM DEO

If some other way of salvation had been possible, God would not have sent His only Son to die in anguish. Ask today for the ability to state clearly for those who ask you why Jesus is the only way to heaven. As Peter teaches, “always be prepared to make a defense … for the hope that is in you” (1 Peter 3:15).

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