"I am the way, the truth, and the life; no man cometh unto the Father but by me" (John 14:6, KJV).
Loved ones, in the religious world, including both those who believe in Christ and those of other religions, most believe that there are many ways to heaven. They explain that even though different roads may be taken, all are headed for the same destination. That sounds good, but it is not what the Bible teaches.
Who said there are many ways to heaven? Jesus did not make such a statement, and neither do those who know what the Bible teaches on this subject. In our above text Jesus is saying emphatically that there is but one way to heaven, and that He is that way.
Those who say that there are many ways to heaven are those who believe in many doctrines not found in the Scriptures, and those who believe in "gods" of religions other than the Christian faith.
On one occasion Jesus said, "Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that entereth not by the door into the sheepfold, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber" (John 10:1). Now we didn't say that but Christ said it.
He is the way to heaven, and He is the one who says that when a man tries to enter by another way he is a thief and robber. Why? Because that person is trying to follow away that Christ has not authorized (cf. Matthew 28:18).
It is true that, in this world, it may be possible to travel several roads to reach a particular destination, and most people apply that same idea to spiritual matters. But thinking about the many roads that may lead to a particular city, suppose you are officially authorized to take only one of these routes. In that case you would have to take that one way in order to keep your boss pleased with you. If you took another way, not only would you be going against the wishes of your boss but you would also lose your reward at the end of the way.
So it is in the spiritual realm. Christ is the only way. No other religion offers a Savior; no other religion offers forgiveness of sins. Christ is the one way because He came into this world to live among men and to die on the cross, to be buried, and then to be resurrected, to pay the price for our sins, to reconcile to God all who believe and obey Him, so that they may be saved.
If He paid that kind of price, then He has every right to say what He expects of a person if He is going to save him and take him to heaven. In this case, there are not many ways; there is no other way.
According to the Scriptures, what is the one way the Lord has made to bring about our salvation? First, He states clearly, "... if ye believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins" (John 8:24). What else is required if one is to be saved? "...Except ye repent [turn away from a sinful life], ye shall all likewise perish (Luke 13:3). Is more required of those who want to be saved? “Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven” (Matthew 10:32).
It was in the death of Christ that His blood was shed to pay the atoning price for our sins. How do we reach that blood, so that we may be forgiven? “3 Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? 4 Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life” (Romans 6:3-4). Acts 2:47 says concerning those who were baptized (immersed in water) that "…the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.”
Ephesians 4:4-5 says there is one God, one Lord, one Spirit, one faith, one baptism, one body or church, and one hope. There is also one way to worship (John 4:24), and one way to live, that is, being faithful unto death (Revelation 2:10). There will be but one judgment (Hebrews 9:27), and one heaven and one hell for all eternity (Matthew 25:46).
With these facts being true, why would there be more than one way to heaven? How can there possibly be more than one way to heaven? Christ says that the majority will be on the broad way that leads to destruction, but only a few will find and be on the narrow way that leads to life (Matthew 7:13-14).
Which way are you going? We urge you to let Christ be your way, the only way that leads from this world to a home in heaven with the Lord forevermore (cf. Acts 4:12). If you will submit to Jesus in love and obedience, you will become one of God’s special people – a Christian (cf. Acts 11:26).
God’s Special People
Peter wrote, “9 But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light: 10 which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy” (1 Peter 2:9-10).
While it is true that God loves all the inhabitants of the world so that He sent His Son to die for humanity (cf. John 3:16), there is a special relationship that God has with those who are His children through Christ (cf. Romans 8:38-39).
It is important that the world sees how important the church is to God so that all might take heed to the call through the Gospel and be added by the Lord to that special group of people in the world, the church (cf. Acts 2:37-47).
Consider three thoughts from the Bible that reveal God's thinking about His special people, the church.
1. Purposed from Eternity. Peter wrote earlier, “1 Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to the strangers scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, 2 elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace unto you, and peace, be multiplied” (1 Peter 1:1-2). The Holy Spirit through Peter clearly indicates that recipients of the letter became the elect through the purpose of the Godhead.
Paul said it in a similar way in the book of Ephesians, “3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: 4 according as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love” (Ephesians 1:3-4).
Again, it is written of the church, “10 To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God, 11 according to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Ephesians 3:10-11). The church was no afterthought of God. It is the foreknown product of the manifold wisdom of God.
2. Purchased with the Blood of His Own Son. Peter also wrote of this special people, “18 Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; 19 but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot” (1 Peter 1:18-19).
Paul stated of the church belonging to God that it was "purchased with His own blood' (Acts 20:28). Paul wrote to the Ephesians on this same point. "In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace" (Ephesians 1:7). One can tell how significant an entity is by the price paid for it. God gave the ultimate price in His Son and thus declares to the world His esteem of the church. Man can do no better than to see things like God does.
3. Preserved unto Everlasting Life. Peter also wrote, “4 To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you, 5 who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.” (1 Peter 1:4-5). God is a faithful Creator to those who "commit the keeping of their souls to him in well doing…” (1 Peter 4:19).
The God of Heaven and Earth is so good, and His love reaches all. Through the free gift of God’s grace by Jesus’ blood (Ephesians 2:8; Revelation 1:5) and your obedient faith (Romans 1:5; 10:17; 16:26), salvation is offered. If you have Bible questions or wish to comment on this post, please do so. Lord willing, a Bible answer will be provided for every Bible question.
The churches of Christ are neither Catholic, Protestant, nor Jew (Romans 16:16; Matthew 16:18-19). We are the loving suffering ONE body of Christ (Ephesians 1:20-23; 4:4-6) – CHRISTIANS: “Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf” (1 Peter 4:16; cf. Acts 11:26; 26:28).
We love you with the love of the Lord (John 13:34-35). Samuel A. Matthews, preaching with the Liberty NW church of Christ, meeting in Portland, Oregon, USA – 31 March 2026.
