The old maxim “All roads lead Rome” is often applied to people’s spiritual beliefs, implying that all beliefs are equal and will ultimately lead one to the same place or state as everyone else’s beliefs. Much time is spent speaking of one’s “spiritual journey” yet little time is spent on discussing one’s eternal destination.
The simple truth is that not all beliefs are equal and true. You don’t have to consider too many religions or spiritual beliefs before you see that they cannot all be right. For example, one believes that there is no God while another believes that there is a God. These opposing beliefs cannot both be true. One of the two will ultimately prove false.
Neither do all beliefs lead one to heaven. Indeed, most religions and beliefs are false and lead people to their eternal destruction. This isn’t a matter of opinion, but rather one of faith since this is exactly what Jesus told His disciples. Consider what He said to them and what we then learn about heaven and hell.
Matthew 7:13–14
13 Enter ye in at the strait [narrow] gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: 14 Because strait [narrow] is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.
According to Jesus, many follow the broad way that leads to destruction and few follow the narrow way that leads to life. Thus the majority of people in this world are on the road to destruction and hell. Though we live in a time that calls for the universal acceptance of all beliefs, most of these beliefs are leading people to their own destruction and eternal judgement. We ought to consider the merit of these beliefs based upon where they lead.
Where are you going? Where are your beliefs leading you?
Are You Following The Way of Goodness?
Some believe the way to heaven is through being good, judging that they will be accepted of God if their good outweighs their faults. Yet “goodness” is defined by God’s standard of righteousness and not ours. In God’s eyes, no one is good, not even one, because of our sin.
Romans 3:10–12
10 As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one: 11 There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God. 12 They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one.
Are You Following The Way of the Ten Commandments or Law?
Some believe the way to heaven is through obedience to the Law or ten commandments. However, breaking just one, such as lying, makes one a law-breaker. This is why the Apostle Paul says that no one will be justified in God’s eyes through the Law. The Law made one aware of sin but it was powerless to take it away.
Romans 3:20 (cf. Galatians 2:16)
20 Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin.
Are You Following The Way of Works?
Some believe the way to heaven is through doing good deeds, giving to those who have need, community service or church ministries. Yet none of these removes our sin and gains us entrance into heaven. The Bible clearly says that salvation has nothing to do with our works but is rather a gift given to us and wholly undeserved.
Ephesians 2:8–9
8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.
Are You Following The Way of Religious Observances?
Some believe the way to heaven is through religious rites, ordinances and practices. Yet Israel’s numerous sacrifices, ordinances and keeping of holy days were an abomination to the Lord because of their hearts (Isaiah 1:11-14). Samuel rebuked Saul for his stubborn heart when he sought to justify his disobedience to God using offerings and sacrifices.
1 Samuel 15:22
22 And Samuel said, Hath the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, As in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, And to hearken than the fat of rams.
Likewise, the observance of ordinances and religious practices will not justify the one who refuses to obey the Gospel. The Pharisees were very religious and zealous in their keeping of religious traditions, yet perished in their sin because they rejected Christ. Confidence in such things for salvation from sin will only lead one to judgement.
2 Thessalonians 1:8
8 In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ:
Are You Following The Way of Denial?
Some are content to walk the way of denial saying that there is no heaven or hell. Yet Jesus spoke of both as literal destinations of the righteous and the wicked (cf. Matthew 25:46). Indeed, every person will one day stand before God and face judgement.
Revelation 20:12
12 And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.
Revelation 20:15
15 And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.
The Only Way that Leads to Life
Consider the thief on the cross, whom Jesus declared would go to heaven in Luke 23:39-43. This man, by his own admission, was not a good person or obedient to the Law. As a crucified man, he had no opportunity to perform any good works, community service or ministry. Nor could he observe any ordinance or religious ceremony. Yet to him Jesus said, “Verily I say unto thee, today shalt thou be with me in paradise.” This is because salvation is not found by any of those means but in the person of Jesus Christ, the One whom this thief called upon for salvation saying, “Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom.”
Jesus instructed His disciples to, “Enter ye in at the strait [narrow] gate…which leadeth unto life.” The word “strait” means narrow and implies a restricted access point through which people can be saved. Indeed, this gate is very narrow because salvation is only found through faith in Jesus Christ.
John 14:6
6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
John 6:47
47 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me hath everlasting life.
There is no other way that will lead to heaven; no other Name by which you can be saved.
Acts 4:12
12 Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.
Where are you going? What path are you on? Have you turned from your sin to God and called upon Jesus Christ to save you from eternal judgement, trusting in Him to deliver you from your sins?
How can one enter through the straight gate and follow the narrow path that leads to eternal life?
- Acknowledge that you are a sinner who needs to be saved (Romans 3:23; Ephesians 2:8-9)
- Believe that God has provided for your salvation through Jesus Christ (John 3:16)
- Repent of (turn from) your sin and call upon God asking for salvation (2 Peter 3:9; Romans 10:9)
“Oh God, I have sinned against You and made You my enemy. I know that it is only through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ that I can be saved from my sin. I ask for your forgiveness and ask You to cleanse me from all my sin. Please save me. Amen.”