Tag Archives: Salvation

Jesus is the Only Way to Heaven.

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Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. John 14:6

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

Effective Evangelism

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And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men. Matthew 4:19

Evangelism is to proclaim the good news of Jesus Christ, with the hope that the Holy Spirit will compel our audience to repent and trust in him. Our evangelistic work is made credible by a holy life (when we are salt) or discredited when we are no different than those who pursue the shiny things of the world. Executing effective evangelism is not difficult, as God carries the load; however, man can complicate the effort with unwise philosophies, techniques, or programs. The instinct of some is to confront the lost and hit them over the head with a heavy bible while telling them that failure to repent means an eternity in the fire of hell.  The gospel of Jesus delivered with condescension and pious judgment seldom yields the desired result.

What follows are the elements that produce effective evangelism. These concepts are derived from scripture, experience, and the excellent example of bold and effective evangelism set by my brother-in-law, Jim. A towering Christian, he has done great good for the kingdom of God and is a man to imitate.

The Power for Salvation is in the Word of God.

For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith. Romans 1:16-17

To those with a hard heart, wise in the world but dead to the spirit, the word of God is nonsense. 1st Corinthians 1:18 But to those who are drawn, receptive, and contrite, the word holds the divine power to do what man cannot do for himself. That is to be accredited with righteousness in the eyes of God and be saved from his condemnation and wrath, by trust and faith in his son Jesus Christ. Therefore, use the word when proclaiming the gospel of Christ, because in the scriptures lives the power of God.

For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. Hebrews 4:12

To do this, you should obviously know what is in the Bible. Yet another reason, perhaps the best reason, to live in the Word. A godly character, combined with a command of the Scriptures, will produce an effective and formidable evangelist. How blessed is he who gives God an excellent resource to reach the lost!

The message is simple. I love the “Romans Road to Salvation” from Paul’s masterpiece of the Christian faith which presents the salient points of the gospel:

  • For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God – Romans 3:23. Not even one person on earth is righteous; we all need a savior.
  • For the wages of sin is death; – Romans 6:23. We are all headed to judgment, condemnation, and an eternity in the agony of hell.
  • But the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. – Romans 6:23. Christ paid the price for our sin on the cross, and those who believe and trust in him will be saved from the condemnation and wrath to come. The sacrifice of his son for those who are naturally his adversaries testifies to God’s great love for us. But know that to “believe and trust” requires repentance (a change of direction) from the sin of your current life and complete devotion to Christ as Lord for the rest of your time here on earth. 
  • That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. – Romans 10:9-10. To “believe in thine heart” is the key. If so, then pray to God in confession, give your life to Christ, and your sins will be forgiven and you will be declared righteous in his eyes (this is justification).

The message is that simple. The truth of the gospel is further distilled to its essence in the best-known verse in the bible:

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. John 3:16

I think it is essential that John 3:16 also be understood in the context of the last verse of the chapter. You should know that the choices you make have consequences.

He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him. John 3:36

Use scripture to convey the message. It is the work of the Holy Spirit that brings salvation, so make the case and then leave it to God. The instinct to apply pressure is not beneficial and most often drives people away. My feeling is that scriptures applied in the brotherly love of a relationship are most effective, but pray for opportunity and follow the prodding of the Holy Spirit.

Deliver the Message of Salvation like a Christian.

But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear. 1st Peter 3:15

Be alert and ready to seize the opportunity to share the good news of Jesus Christ with others. When the door is opened (and may it be), convey that message, holding fast to the elements of Christian character. This verse in Peter is in response to those who persecute. To answer “the reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear” is to respond with gentleness and respect. If we are to engage those who are hostile with kindness, we should certainly do the same for those with whom we are at peace. When presenting the message, strive to embody and demonstrate the fruit of the Spirit! Galatians 5:22 Avoid the attitudes that repel – judgment, condescension, threat, pious superiority, disingenuous, flippant, etc. Be aware that if you offend them, you will likely lose their trust. 1st Corinthians 9:19-23 Do not strive to demonstrate your zeal for the faith; do nothing to serve a religious ego. Your objective is to say, “come and see”, not “stay away!” So, deliver the message in sincere love and hope, and let God do with it what he will.

Salvation by the Grace of God

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For by grace ye are saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works let any man should boast. Ephesians 2:8-9

There is nothing that man can do to earn salvation, it is a gift from God. Good works during your life do not bring salvation, only faith in Jesus Christ does that. We are saved for good works, not by good works. Read Galatians 2:16

The only thing you can do to be saved is to believe there is nothing you can do to be saved other than cast yourself on the mercy of God.