Jesus, the only way?
Some people reject the Christian belief that salvation is only possible through Jesus Christ. In our pluralistic society tolerance is expected, even demanded, and the concept of religious freedom, which allows all religions, is sometimes interpreted in such a way that all religions are ultimately equal.
All roads lead to the same God. Some people say this as if they were already on the way and have now returned from the destination of this trip. Such people are not tolerant of those narrow-minded people who believe there is only one way and reject evangelism. After all, they claim, this is an offensive attempt to change other people's beliefs. But they themselves want to change the beliefs of those people who believe in only one way. How is that now? Does the Christian faith teach that Jesus is the only way that leads to salvation?
Other religions
Most religions are exclusive. Orthodox Jews claim to have the true path. Muslims claim to know the best revelation of God. Hindus believe they are right and Buddhists believe that too. Even the modern pluralist believes that pluralism is more correct than other ideas.
So all roads do not lead to the same God. The different religions even describe different gods. The Hindus have multiple deities and describe salvation as a return of nothingness. The Muslims, on the other hand, emphasize monotheism and heavenly rewards. Neither Muslim nor Hindu would agree, their ways lead to the same goal. They'd rather fight than change that mindset. The western pluralists would see themselves as condescending and uninformed people. But an insult or even an attack on the religions is exactly what the pluralists do not want. We believe the Christian message is the right one and at the same time allow people not to believe in it. As we understand it, belief requires the freedom to let people not believe in it. But even if we stand up for the right of humans to choose what to believe in, it does not mean that we believe that all religions are true. Allowing other people to believe in what they want does not mean that we should stop believing because Jesus is the only way to salvation.
Biblical statements / claims
Jesus' first disciples tell us that he claimed to be the only way to God. He said that one could not be in the Kingdom of God unless one followed him. (Mt 7,26-27)...and we will not be with him in eternity if we deny him. (Mt 10,32-33)Jesus also said this: “For the Father judges no one, but has committed all judgment to the Son, that all may honor the Son just as they honor the Father. Whoever does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent him.” (Joh 5,22-23)Jesus claimed that he is the exclusive way of truth and salvation, and that those who reject him also reject God.
In Joh 8,12 He says, "I am the light of the world," and in Joh 14,6-7 It says, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you had known me, you would have known my Father also. From now on, you do know him and have seen him.” Jesus himself said that people who claim there are other ways to salvation are wrong. Peter was just as clear when he spoke to the Jewish rulers: “Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.” (Apg 4,12).
Paul further emphasized this when he said that people who do not know Christ are dead through their transgressions and sins. (Eph 2,1)They had no hope, and despite their religious faith, they did not have God (v. 12). He said that there is only one mediator, only one way to God. (1. Tim 2,5)Jesus was the ransom everyone needed. (1. Tim 4,10)If there were any other way that led to salvation, God would have created it. (Gal 3,21)Through Christ the world is reconciled to God. (Kol 1,20-22)Paul was called to spread the good news among the Gentiles. Their religion, he said, was worthless. (Apg 14,15)The Epistle to the Hebrews already states that there is no better way than Christ. Unlike all other ways, he is effective. (Heb 10,11)This is not a relative advantage, but a difference that makes all the difference. The Christian doctrine of exclusive salvation is based on what Jesus himself said and what the Bible teaches us, and is closely connected to who Jesus is and our need for grace.
Our need for grace
The Bible says that Jesus is the Son of God in a special way. He is God in human form. He gave his life for our salvation. Jesus prayed for another way, but there was none. (Mt 26,39)We receive salvation only because God himself entered the human world to bear the consequences of sin and free us from it. This is his gift to us. Most religions teach some kind of work or accomplishment as the path to salvation—saying the right prayers, doing the right things, and hoping that this is enough. They teach that people can be good enough if they just try hard enough. However, the Christian faith teaches that we all need grace because we will never be good enough, no matter how hard we try.
It is impossible since these two ideas can be true at the same time. The doctrine of grace teaches, whether we like it or not, there is no other path to salvation.
The grace of the future
What about those who die before they've even heard of Jesus? What about those who were born before Jesus lived? Do they also have hope? Yes, they do. Precisely because the Christian faith is a faith of grace. People are saved by God's grace, not by saying the name Jesus or possessing a special trait. Jesus died for the sins of the whole world, whether they are aware of them or not. (2. Kor 5,14; 1. Joh 2,2)His death was the sacrifice of reparation for every person of the past, present, and future, whether Palestinian or Peruvian. We can be certain that God is faithful to his word, for it is written: “He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.” (2. Petr 3,9)Even though His ways and times are often inscrutable, we trust in Him because He loves the people He created. Jesus said: “For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through Him.” (Joh 3,16-17).
We believe that the risen Christ conquered death. Therefore even death is not a border between God and man. God is able to move people to entrust their salvation to him. We don't know how and when, but we can trust his word. Therefore, we can believe in it, as in one way or another he lovingly and steadfastly guides every person who has ever lived or will ever live to believe in him for their salvation, either before they die, during or after her death. If some people turn to Christ believingly on the day of the last judgment, or at least learn of what He has done for them, then he will certainly not turn away from them.
But regardless of when people are saved and how well they understand their salvation, it is still only through Christ that they are saved. Well-intentioned deeds and works will never save anyone, even if people sincerely believe in them, because they are saved simply by being good enough. The principle of grace and the sacrifice of Jesus mean that no amount of good deeds or religious works can ever save anyone. If such a way existed, God would have made it possible. (Gal 3,21)If people have sincerely tried to earn their salvation through work, meditation, flagellation, self-sacrifice, or any other means, they will learn that their works and deeds gain them nothing from God. Salvation comes through grace, and by grace alone. The Christian faith teaches that grace is not something one earns, yet it is available to everyone.
No matter which religious path people have taken, Christ can lead them off the wrong path and on his way. He is the only Son of God who made the only atoning sacrifice everyone needs. He is the unique messenger and path that testifies to God's grace and salvation. Jesus himself testified that. Jesus is exclusive and inclusive at the same time. He is the narrow path and the Redeemer of the whole world. It is the only way to salvation and yet it is accessible to everyone. God's grace, perfectly expressed in Jesus Christ, is exactly what every person needs, and the good news is as it is freely available to all. It is not just a good message, but the great news that is worth spreading. DIt's really worth thinking about.
by Joseph Tkach
