Do all roads lead to God? Millions of people in our world today believe they do. Could it possibly be true? Certainly such a belief cannot be found in the Bible.
Jesus Christ said, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6).
Of all the incredible statements by Jesus that are recorded in the New Testament, this assertion has the greatest tendency to anger people. They consider it arrogant, egotistical, intolerant, and politically incorrect.
By contending that He is the only route to God, Jesus is alleging that Christianity is unique, and that it therefore cannot be reconciled with any other religion in the world. For example:
- Other religious leaders tell people, “Follow me and I will show you how to find truth,” but Jesus says, “I am truth.”
- Other religious leaders tell people, “Follow me and I will show you the way to salvation,” but Jesus says, “I am the way to eternal life.”
- Other religious leaders tell people, “Follow me and I will show you how to become enlightened,” but Jesus says, “I am the light of the world.”
- Other religious leaders tell people, “Follow me and I will show you many doors that lead to God,” but Jesus says, “I am the door.”
Do you see the difference? For many centuries people have tried to harmonize the various religions of the world into one. In fact, that is what one faith, Baha’i, is all about. However, there are drastic and irreconcilable theological conflicts between Christianity and all other faith systems. This is not to criticize other faith systems. It is not to say that others do not have the right to believe anything they choose. It is just to point out the uniqueness of Christianity.
The difference between other religions and Christianity is the difference between “DO” and ‘DONE.” That is, other religions base salvation on what people do to earn it through their struggling and striving — in other words, through their works.
Adherents must go on a pilgrimage, give alms to the poor, scrupulously maintain a certain kind of diet, perform good deeds, chant the right words, use a Tibetan prayer, go through a series of reincarnations, or faithfully follow some other religiously prescribed drill. These are attempts to reach out to God. In Christianity God reached down to us.
In Christianity salvation is spelled “D-O-N-E.” This is because it is based on what Jesus Christ has done on the cross for those who will believe. The Bible teaches that we are all sinners, spiritual rebels against our Creator, and that there is nothing we can do to merit heaven. Jesus took the penalty for our sin, which is death, upon Himself.
It is not difficult to see that the message of grace – “done” – and the message of working off past wrongs – “do” – are fundamentally incompatible. God is not schizophrenic. So, it does matter which route you take in your spiritual journey.
There is absolutely nothing anyone can do to merit heaven. It has already been done. The only requirement: accept what Jesus Christ has already done and follow Him.
The Paper Pulpit 
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