By
Shelby G. Floyd
One of the favorite figures of speech applied to the church is that of a way, a path, and a road that leads from one place to another.
DO ALL RELIGIOUS ROADS LEAD TO HEAVEN?
Christianity is a definite way over which the redeemed pass from earth to heaven. In a day when highways and roads are so familiar, it is easy for some people to get the idea that there are many ways for one to reach heaven. It is a popular doctrine that we are all going to heaven in different ways. While this is popular, is it the truth?
THE HIGHWAY OF HOLINESS
About 700 years before Christ made his advent into the world, the prophet Isaiah looking through the telescope of prophecy, pointed out the way over which every child of God must pass in entering the city that has foundations whose builder and maker is God.
Isaiah 35: 8
A highway shall be there, and a road,
And it shall be called the Highway of Holiness.
The unclean shall not pass over it,
But it shall be for others.
Whoever walks the road, although a fool,
Shall not go astray.
NKJV
In the days of the prophet Jeremiah, the people of God were presented with the ancient path—this good road-way, but they refused it in favor of the way of the wicked:
“Stand in the ways and see,
And ask for the old paths, where the good way is,
And walk in it;
Then you will find rest for your souls.
But they said, ‘We will not walk in it.’
(Jeremiah 6:16).
JESUS IS THE ONLY WAY
Both of these prophecies find their fullest application and consummation in Jesus Christ. He is the only way to eternal life and the bliss of heaven: “Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. 14 Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it” (Matthew 7:13-14). The “Highway of Holiness,” and the “old paths,” is the narrow and difficult way of Jesus Christ, the gospel and the church that leads to eternal life.
Jesus, in his sermons during his earthly ministry pointed the people to the only true and living way. He said,
“And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also. 4 And where I go you know, and the way you know.” 5 Thomas said to Him, “Lord, we do not know where You are going, and how can we know the way?” 6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me” (John 14: 3-6 NKJV).
Therefore, Christ is the only way to the Father and eternal life!
Copyright © 2018 Shelby G. Floyd, All Rights Reserved
Shelby G. Floyd
Heartland Church of Christ
1693 West Main Street
Greenwood, Indiana 46142