When my big sister told me there was only one way to vacuum the living room, I balked. In fact, instead of following her systematic method, I instantly wanted to do it in the most random pattern possible. Isn’t that how we often react. When someone tells us there is only one way to do something, or a single correct answer to a problem, we immediately want to rebel.
We like to have choices. We like multiple food options—steak, sushi, seafood, ice cream, salad, vegan, fast food. We want to decide how we work best—in an office or outdoors, fast-paced or laid back, brain or brawn. And we like to wear comfortable clothes that express our personality—jeans and t’s, suit and tie, flowy bohemian or dressy casual. So, it’s understandable that we might not agree there is just ONE way to heaven—one God, one faith, one truth.
King David described God this way: “You answer us with awesome and righteous deeds, God our Savior, the hope of all the ends of the earth and of the farthest seas, who formed the mountains by your power, having armed yourself with strength, who stilled the roaring of the seas, the roaring of their waves, and the turmoil of the nations. The whole earth is filled with awe at your wonders; where morning dawns, where evening fades, you call forth songs of joy” (Ps. 65:5-8, NIV, emphasis mine).
David wrote this at a time when most Jews were not excited about sharing their God with the rest of the world. Yet, over and over in the Old Testament, God declares that He alone is the answer for everyone, everywhere.
God spoke to His people through the prophet Jeremiah, “This is what the LORD says: ‘stand at the crossroads and look; ask for the ancient paths, ask where the good way is, and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls. But you said, ‘We will not walk in it’” (Jer. 6:16). Many people still respond the same way.
Are you one of them?
We encounter crossroads, decision points, all the time. And we ask: Which way should I go? The ancient path—the one paved in Truth—never changes. It doesn’t need to be updated to be relevant. The tools we use to study the Bible may change, but not the Truth it contains. God promises if we will choose His way, and walk it out day by day, we will find rest for our souls.
Jesus said this about himself, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me” (John 14:6, NKJV, emphasis mine).
His bold declaration made a lot of people angry. It still does. Who was Jesus to claim He was the only way to God? The only pathway to heaven? Jesus also said, “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it.But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it” (Matt. 7:13-14).
After Jesus rose from the dead, His disciple, Peter, testified to a bunch of religious leaders. They had issues with Jesus’ claim as the only way to God. Peter said, “Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved” (Acts 4:12). Not Buddha, not Allah, not Nature, or any other god.
I urge you to find out who Jesus is—the historical and biblical figure who spoke for God, as God, and proved Himself to be God, by rising from the dead. The question is, will you believe it? Will you receive Him? Or will you continue to try path after path that leaves you empty and confused? Depressed. And Hopeless.
The choice is yours.
Listen to the words of this song carefully, and if you are willing, let them become your prayer. “Magnify” by Messengers.