One Way
January 30, 2002 • By Ed Wrather
For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. - Romans 3:23.
And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment. - Hebrews 9:27.
For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. - Romans 6:23.
Jesus said to him, ‘I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.’ - John 14:6.
Mike Tyson was unsuccessful in his application for a boxing license from state officials in Nevada. In justification of his actions he said to the officials, “I’m not Mother Teresa, but I’m not Charles Manson either.” Sounds like the guy who said, “Don’t bother me with that religious stuff, when I die I’ll take my chances I’m not any worse than anyone else.” Or the often repeated mantra of the non-church goer, “If so and so is going to Heaven that is a member of your church than I’m going because I’m not nearly as bad as they are.” Sounds familiar doesn’t it? And in some ways it sounds good and it sounds like common sense thinking. But no matter how good something sounds and no matter how much sense something makes if it is wrong - it’s wrong!
God has provided only one way to Heaven, only one way of salvation from eternal torment, which a just and holy God must render, to those who reject the free pardon for sin available through Jesus Christ. The way of salvation, the free pardon of sin has been provided to all those who receive Jesus Christ as their Savior at great cost. Romans 5:8 says, “But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”
The cost was the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. Payment had to be made for sin. There can be no remission of sin without the shedding of blood (Hebrews 9:22). Jesus was able to become that perfect sacrifice because He was tempted at all points without sin (Hebrews 4:15; Romans 5:18; 2 Corinthians 5:21). When we reject the One Way that has been provided God does not condemn us we condemn ourselves (John 3:16-18) because there is no other Way of reconciliation with a completely Holy and Righteous God.
I don’t know about you but I would not want to die and face the judgment of God depending upon my own works (Ephesians 2:8-10) and righteousness. Instead, I have received Christ Jesus as my Savior and am cloaked/covered in His righteousness. When God looks at me, He no longer sees the dirty rotten worm of a sinner that I am, but He sees the righteousness of His Son (Philippians 3:8-9; Romans 3:22-28; 2 Corinthians 5:21).
Through what way have you been trying to get to Heaven? There is only One Way, the Way of Jesus Christ and I highly recommend it!