Introduction

In John 14, Jesus was talking to the eleven (Judas had just left) and was announcing that he would be leaving (vs. 2-3). He also stated that they knew where he was going and the way to get there (vs. 4). Thomas stated in the next verse that they didn’t know, and Jesus replied, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” (John 14:6)

When one talks with denominationalists about this verse, they will agree but add the phrase, “It’s not the only way”. Their meaning is that since Jesus didn’t say he was the only way, then there are other ways, to get to Heaven, which are just as acceptable.

One-Way Streets

We’re all familiar with One-Way streets and the sign that accompanies them. We know, based on the traffic law, that whichever way the sign points that’s the only way we can go. Suppose the sign simply read, The Way instead of One Way. Would we still be able to tell know which direction to go? Of course! The arrow would direct us.

So why is it with streets signs no one says, “Well, I know it’s a One-Way Street, but it’s not the only way”? The answer, of course, is we know that if we go the opposite direction on a one-way street, we’ll crash into cars coming towards us.

And yet, people want to do that with the scriptures because they don’t want to be told that there is really only one way. They see it as too narrow-minded.

Jesus IS the Only Way

If there were more than one way to Heaven, Jesus would have said, in John 14:6, “I am A way…” and not “THE way”. Furthermore, Jesus wouldn’t have invited people to come to him as he did in Mt. 11:28-30, “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”

Even when Jesus was speaking to the Pharisees He said, “You search the Scriptures, for in them you think you have eternal life; and these are they which testify of Me. But you are not willing to come to Me that you may have life.” (John 5:39-40)

Jesus died on the cross for the forgiveness of all sins of all people, but if you don’t acknowledge Him and what He did, you will be eternally lost (Mt. 10:32-32). And to simply believe in Jesus is not enough either. In Mt. 7:21-23 Jesus said, “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’”

Too many people profess to do good works in the name of the Lord but if they don’t do His will, then all their works will be for naught. Others want to simply have the faith but not do the works. James writes of this in Jas. 2: 17-18, “Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. But someone will say, “You have faith, and I have works.” Show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works.” He writes further in verse 24, “You see then that a man is justified by works, and not by faith only.”          

As you can see it’s not by ‘Faith Only’, nor is it by ‘Works Only’. You must have both and it has to be by ‘The Will of The Father’ (Matt. 7:21).

Conclusion

There are, technically two ways; the right way and the wrong way. Jesus said, “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. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.” (Matthew 7:13-14) Based on this statement, we can be assured that there is, indeed, only one way to Heaven and that is through Christ Jesus!

If you aren’t on the right path, you need to get off and ask for directions. Turn to the scriptures for the right way. If you need assistance in finding the right way, feel free to comment on this article and I’ll do what I can to help.