The Bible clearly teaches that faith in and submission to Jesus Christ is the only way to Heaven. The truth of this is supported 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, with no desire or need for God. Prosperity, success, social acceptance, and self-sufficiency often negate their conscious recognition of the need for God. They believe they don’t need to be saved. For 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 teach heresies that go against the Gospel in the Bible. They promote ideas like promised prosperity, the goodness of humanity, and devotion to religious rituals and ceremonies for salvation. They downplay the deity of Jesus, some by dramatic blasphemies such as claiming Jesus is a created being or even that he is Satan’s brother (Mormons). They minimize the punishment for unrighteousness and forget the plan of salvation; all the while, often taking money for personal gain. These persuasive voices tell people what they want to hear, and people believe them no matter how absurd the message is. Be aware that Satan sometimes carries a Bible.
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 