DO ALL ROADS LEAD TO GOD?

 

SHEPHERD TO SHEEP

DO ALL ROADS LEAD TO GOD?

When you go somewhere you’ve never been before you usually look on a map or get online directions. You find that there are more ways than one to get there. You take into consideration the mileage, etc. and you finally make your decision. In ancient days they had a saying that all roads lead to Rome. If you got lost you would eventually see a sign that said Rome was this particular way. Is that the way it is with God? Do all roads lead to Him? Can you choose from any path and will it eventually end at His doorstep? That’s a good question and many people are asking that in their hearts even if they don’t seek it out practically.

There is a common voice out there in our world that says all roads do lead to God. The world is more united than it used to be. We can thank modern travel and the internet mostly for that. People are coming together like never before. There is a respect for not only diversity but also a cry for unity. Within that openness is a respect for each other's beliefs and world-view. In the desire to become one there is also that tendency to join in the voice that says all roads lead to God and that though religions are different they all are a vehicle to a common destination. That might be a good-feeling statement but is it true?

Jesus had been talking about heaven and His coming again to take His disciples there. His disciple Thomas said to Him, "Lord, we do not know where You are going, and how can we know the way?" Jesus said to him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me." (John 14:5-6) He said He was the only way to the Father. That's pretty exclusive. He said elsewhere that His road would not be popular. (Mat 7:13-14) "Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. [14] Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.

After Jesus' departure from earth and return to His Father, His disciple's proclaimed the message that only one road leads to God and that road is Jesus alone: (Acts 4:12) Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved." So today if we bend to the notion that all roads lead to God we would be distancing ourselves from what Jesus and His followers taught.

To get to my house I can give you many different choices because our southern California freeways are so extensive. But to get to God's house you have to go through His Son Jesus. You might say that's elite and limited but to me it's simple. I like simple. Don't give into the prevalent spirit of the day that says to embrace all. You might ruffle some feathers but speak the truth in love. (Eph 4:15). We’re not out for some popularity contest. Salvation is serious business. Sometimes the truth hurts but it would hurt more if we gave people wrong directions and they ended up being lost forever!

Louie