Answering Excuses [8]

    As we draw near our study of the various objections and excuses offered by individuals who seek to end or even avoid religious discussions, let us again point out that we seek only to give a logical and reasonable answer to what are often unreasonable and illogical objections. If these objections come from honest hearts, the answers God gives within His written Word should be sufficient to eliminate the objections and motivate some to obey His will. We cannot judge the hearts of any man, but we can know that someone has a hardened heart when they are unwilling to accept the plain teachings of God's Word. If after objecting and if after answering those objections from Scripture, they still refuse to obey, we must realize we will not sway them by any other means and it may be best to move on to those who are willing to hear.

    But this week, we consider the following excuse and how we should answer: ''You may believe you are correct, but there are many roads that lead to heaven.'' For this objection, you may be surprised to find that I agree, up to a point. It is true that there are many "ways" to heaven, but only in this sense: I may come to know God at an early age, before indulging in the way of the world, and so I serve the Lord all my life. Others may walk in the world for years before coming to a knowledge of the truth and obeying. Some may obey, fall away for awhile, and then return to faithful service. Some may live as a disciple and face constant temptations and trials yet endure to the end. Some may live all their lives never having served the Lord, but come to their senses and obey shortly before they pass away. Some may become a disciple and face many trials and temptations to surrender their faith, but they endure. Others will face few trials and temptations as disciples. Some may do much for God while others do less, but still please Him. In that sense, there are many "roads" to heaven, but the common factor is that they all end up going through Christ! In no other sense can we confidently say that there are "many roads to heaven."

    From my experience, those who offer this excuse have very little knowledge of God's Word. When I have heard it, I have asked a follow-up question: "Where in the Scriptures does it teach such?" To date, I have not received one answer. Why is that? The reason should be obvious: The plain fact is, this is not taught anywhere in Scripture, but is a weak excuse offered up when all other objections are exhausted. It is chosen because it sounds noble and merciful and "open-minded" -- the ultimate sign of faith, according to many deceived individuals. But do not be led astray by this excuse.

    In the course of using this objection, they might even say, "Well, just look at a map. How many different ways can you get from here to Dallas? I can take any number of roads and still end up there." Having said this, they feel confident they have "answered" your challenge to follow the narrow path, and not much can be said after this has been declared.

Answer: Again, the only way that analogy would work is in the way we first described it ["roads" being the various lives people may live, but which all run through Jesus Christ]. It should be pointed out right away that even most of those who use this excuse do not really believe what they are saying. Ask a Mormon if they believe Roman Catholicism is true; ask a Jehovah's Witness if they believe Islam is true; ask a Baptist if the followers of Jim Jones, David Koresh, or Warren Jeffs can get to heaven following what they follow. You will see very quickly that they can backtrack on that "road" analogy and they will be looking for another "road" to take.

    Let us not forget that Jesus said there are really only two roads one may take: "the way that leads to destruction" and "the way which leads to life" (Matt. 7:13, 14). Which road we take is going to depend on where our minds are set! Do we want to get to heaven, or do we blindly follow the way of the majority? Jesus said "many" go the broad way and "few" will walk the narrow way to eternal life. Please note that Jesus did not say "one of the ways" which leads to life, indicating there is but one way. All the pleading in the world will not change this, so it would be in our best interest to understand which "way" that is. Wouldn't you agree?

    When the apostles began preaching the gospel message, they were arrested by the Sanhedrin and then asked, "By what power or by what name have you done this?" (Acts 4:7) [they had healed a man lame since birth]. Peter revealed that it had been done through the name of Jesus Christ, "And there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men by which we must be saved" (v. 12). Peter taught from the very beginning of the gospel that through Jesus alone could a man get to heaven -- no other. That means we cannot follow the road of Joseph Smith, Jr., some man who calls himself the Pope, Mohammed, the Governing Board of the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society, or even Steven Harper and expect to get to heaven. Only through Christ do we have the hope of eternal life in heaven!

    The apostle Paul also reminds us of the one road we may take that leads to heaven. To the Ephesians, he wrote, "There is one body and one Spirit, just as also you were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all who is over all and through all and in all" (Eph. 4:4-6). Any "road" that purports to lead to heaven but does not recognize these things is not the road to heaven. God established one body [the church, Col. 1:18], gave one Spirit [by which the one Word was revealed, Eph. 3:5], gave one hope [eternal life in heaven, Titus 1:2], gave Christ to be the one Lord over all [exalting Him after His death and resurrection, Phlp. 2:9-11], established one faith by which we may be saved [the system of faith which requires obedience, Mark 16:16], gave one baptism which brings us into fellowship with Christ and by which our sins are forgiven by the blood of Christ, 1 Pet. 3:21], and He stands as the one God who rules over all things. If we reject any one of those things, we have changed directions and we are headed down the wrong "road." Only when we accept those things can we say the road we follow will lead us to heaven and eternal life.

    The fact is, there are many roads; but it is also true that only one leads to heaven and eternal life. John warned us, "Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world" (1 John 4:1). It is true that many of the roads seem to indicate they lead to heaven, with signs of righteousness and godliness, but let us not forget that there are some who "disguise themselves as servants of righteousness" (2 Cor. 11:15) and will lead you quickly onto the broad road to perdition without so much as a blink of the eye. If we do not see clearly which path we are taking, it could be us who are deceived and, yes, led astray. It is certainly possible (cf. 1 Tim. 6:20, 21), and we would be foolish to think that just because it seems like the right way that we are all right.

    If we were lost while traveling, we would be wise to stop and ask directions, check our location against a map, or find some way to get back on the right road. In the same way, let us ensure we are traveling the right spiritual path by checking our progress against the Word of God, making corrections when necessary. Do not take the word of any man, but be willing to follow in the steps of the One who has already traveled the path (Heb. 6:19, 20).