No, they don’t. The only way to heaven is the Bible way, the New Testament way. Many will say, “We follow Jesus to heaven,” but then add man-made doctrines and beliefs. Jesus ran into this in Matthew 15:1-9. He was replying to the Pharisees. They asked Him why His disciples do not perform man-made rituals before eating. Jesus responded with a quote from Isaiah 29:13. Matthew states Jesus said: “AND IN VAIN THEY WORSHIP ME, TEACHING AS DOCTRINES THE COMMANDMENTS OF MEN.”
Even Muslims, Shinto folks, Hindus, atheists, and agnostics won’t attain God unless they convert to the Bible’s way of things. Some say Hitler will make it to heaven.
Political Correctness is not Bible correctness. When moved away from the Bible, the country’s political correctness feelings will not stand the test of time. You won’t make it to heaven unless you’re willing to submit to the Lord’s way of things.
The Dalai Lama XIV is quoted as saying, “People take different roads seeking fulfillment and happiness. Just because they’re not on your road does not mean they’ve gotten lost.” You know, of course, God and His commandments came way before Mr. Lama. God’s plan is the only plan for arriving in heaven.
Is One Path As Good As Another?
Jesus thought not. He said this in Matthew 7:13: “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.”
Denominations, Eastern religions, and any other religions that declare the path to heaven are not on that narrow road. Jesus even said the majority would not make it to heaven. There’s a wide path that leads to hell, and most folks are taking that road. The narrow path is difficult to traverse. You have to make a hard decision to follow Jesus to heaven. There will be obstacles. This emphasizes the challenges of following the narrow path, but also encourages readers to stay steadfast in their faith.
Scriptures discuss roads, paths, and ways as synonyms for eternal life. Check these out:
Proverbs 1:15; 9:6; 13:15; Acts 16:17; 18:26; 24:14. Here’s Proverbs 14:12: “There is a way that seems right to a man, But its end is the way of death.”
It’s Common Sense, Too
What if we go to the Pharmacist and tell them that any medicine will do the job? That doesn’t make sense. Common sense would tell you that you need only the medication prescribed.
Well, God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit gave the prescription, and only that spiritual prescription will make you whole.
So why do we worship in various denominations and community churches? Their teachings often oppose each other. It is possible that one can be correct and the other incorrect, or they can both be wrong. There’s only one church spoken of in the Bible, Matthew 16:18, Romans 16:16. That’s Jesus’ church. It doesn’t belong to anyone except Jesus.
So why do all the synods, conventions, headquarters, and the like exist? Those are not Biblical. They are devised by men and women who think their way is better than Jesus’ way. And why would I want to attend a church that doesn’t practice New Testament doctrine? It doesn’t make any sense to do so.
Please look at the teachings and practices of the church you attend. Then, compare them to the church in the New Testament. Did you know the New Testament church sang praises without musical instruments? It’s a recorded historical fact. Ephesians 5:19 says to sing (not play). Yet, many churches use instruments. Why is that? It’s because people like the sound of instruments.
Don’t Undermine Jesus!
What If Jesus gave instructions for His church? Then what if people do something different? Jesus gave the standard. Men and women have altered Jesus’ practices. What if God, being the Almighty and Worthy God, said, “Do this,” and someone said, “You know, I think It’s OK to do it this way.”
Don’t you see that God would be angry over this? The Old Testament Jews tried to do things their way as they left the Law of Moses for other religions and were defeated three times: the Assyrians, the Babylonians, and the Romans. The Romans destroyed the Jewish temple, lineage, and Jerusalem in AD 70. There are no Jewish priests today and no animal sacrifices. God was angered at them for rejecting and killing His Son. He also needed people to understand that the Jewish system was completed, and the New Testament faith and practices were spiritually the way of things. Jesus came to fulfill the law, Matthew 5:17, and He did that as He died on the cross, Colossians 2:11-14.
You can be seen fighting against Jesus by attending churches that do not hold to the doctrines found in the New Testament.
Check out these verses: Psalm 19:13; Romans 10:3; 1 Timothy 4:1; 2 Timothy 4:3–4. Amazingly, the New Testament predicted people would move away from authorized spiritual practices.
One Church Is Not As Good As Another
It’s a true statement. There’s only one church, and it’s His church. There are no God-approved church practices except those found in the New Testament. There’s only one way, and it’s God’s way. Once again, He decided the plan of salvation, the church, its practices, and worship. Only His way is the way to heaven. All other roads lead to hell.
Thanks for reading!!
Contact us at garland.churchofchrist@gmail.com, subject: Roads To Heaven.
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You’ll receive spiritual teaching and love at the Matthews St. church of Christ in Bay City, TX.
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Your soul in heaven is our goal.
Garland Van Dyke