The Bible clearly teaches that faith in and submission to Jesus Christ is the only way to Heaven. The truth of this is substantiated by the suffering he endured to bring salvation to humanity. In the Gospels, we learn about his anguish in the Garden of Gethsemane, the betrayal by his disciples, the rejection by his people, and his horrific suffering through scourging and crucifixion. Why would he have endured this if there had been any other way to save us from the penalty of our sins?
Jesus clearly states that he is the only way, not just a way to the Father. Faith in Jesus Christ is the only path to Heaven; all other roads lead to Hell. Trusting anything, anyone, or any religious system other than Jesus Christ is to commit spiritual suicide.
Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved. Acts 4:12
If Jesus is the only way to Heaven, then there must be many roads leading to Hell.
Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who enter through it. For the gate is small and the way is narrow that leads to life, and there are few who find it. Matthew 7:13-14
Below are four common paths to destruction, each characterized by the failure to make Jesus Christ the Lord over everything in your life.
First, some will end up in Hell because they are satisfied in their unbelief, lacking any desire or need for God. Prosperity, success, social acceptance, and self-sufficiency often negate a conscious recognition of their need for God. They believe they don’t need to be saved. To them, Christianity is an unnecessary waste of time.
For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God. Ist Corinthians 1:18
Secondly, others mistakenly believe they are in good standing with God because they strive to live moral lives and be good people. Overestimating the good within themselves, they assume that treating others well, thinking good thoughts, and doing good deeds should be sufficient to secure a place in Heaven. They, too, are convinced that they do not need to be saved. The word of God tells us otherwise; it is clear that reliance on one’s righteousness ends in death.
But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away. Isaiah 64:6
Thirdly, the next road to Hell is reliance on compliance. The religious are often taught to do something to make amends with God. They attempt to win God’s favor through actions they think will please him, such as self-righteous efforts, following religious rules and rituals, or living piously. However, in God’s eyes, these efforts are futile nonsense. Jesus railed against the Jewish religious leadership, who taught adherence to rules, rituals, sacraments, and traditions for salvation. You cannot work yourself into righteous perfection; that is why you need a savior to deliver you from being judged wanting and condemned. God desires your heart, mind, and soul, not your best efforts at religion.
Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity. Matthew 7:21-23
Finally, there is a path to Hell marked by deception, evil, and treachery. It is the perversion of the Gospel of Jesus Christ by charlatans of organized religion that leads people away from Christ.
These frauds intertwine corruption, lies, and error with some element of truth as they promote heresies against the Gospel in the Bible. They conflate truth from God’s word with human philosophies, conjecture, and worldly intellect, obscuring the simplicity of salvation by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone. They claim that God will bless you with prosperity, health, and happiness if you have faith and a positive attitude, ignoring the cost of discipleship. They diminish the deity of Jesus, sometimes through dramatic blasphemies like claiming he is a created being or even Satan’s brother (Mormons). These persuasive voices tell people what they want to hear, often for financial gain, and people believe, despite how absurd the message may be. Be aware that Satan sometimes carries a Bible and can lead you unknowingly into Hell.
For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables. 2nd Timothy 4:3-4
The Bible is also clear that those who propagate lies and distortions of the word of God are cursed, and their destruction is inevitable.
But these, as natural brute beasts, made to be taken and destroyed, speak evil of the things that they understand not; and shall utterly perish in their own corruption; 2nd Peter 2:12
John 3:36 