The Way to God


Is Jesus the only way to God?

This is an interesting question that is being bandied about in both academic and religious circles today. It is an important question, and one that begs a clear answer.

Jesus Himself stated that He is “the way” and that “no one can come to the Father (God) except by Me” – John 14:6. The entire purpose of John writing the Gospel that bears his name is stated as, “These things are written that you might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing you might have life through Him” (20:31). This “life” means reconciliation to the Creator God.

It is common today to hear people say that Jesus is one of many paths to God. This means that people can be reconciled to God from their fallen state on the basis of sincerity. Almost everyone, even an agnostic, knows that something is missing from the human experience. Some seek the quest for “enlightenment”, others for “self-realization.” The Christian term is “reconciled”. All of these terms express the idea of man’s sin – his fallen state. Jesus has come to provide that reconciliation to God, which is to be enlightened and self-realized.

The sinless life of Christ (His accusers tried desperately but unsuccessfully to find an incident in which He had broken the Law), the atoning death and the resurrection all affirm that He is extraordinary. But does that mean He is the only way to God? Yes, I believe it does.

There are various scriptures to support the following credentials of Jesus – too many to include in a short essay. Trust me on this matter. Jesus was born of a virgin. Thus He did not possess a fallen nature. Jesus claimed to be God incarnate, and demonstrated this claim through miracles. Jesus lived an impeccably sinless life. He died an extraordinary death; one He claimed was to establish “the new covenant in My blood”. He arose from the dead, triumphant over the power of sin.

The command of Christ was then that His followers should go into the entire world and proclaim what He has accomplished. This, He assured them (and us) would bring the benefit of eternal life to those who believe. Further, the followers of Jesus (Peter, speaking for the rest) all believed “there is no other name given among men whereby we can be saved” – that is, reconciled to God.

Finally, the New Testament is filled with examples of people who were without hope and spiritually blind to the truth of God. Then they heard about and believed upon Jesus as the way to God. Their lives were transformed.

The clear message of Christianity is that Jesus is the Savior. He is the only Savior. If a person wants to be reconciled to God, he or she must put faith in Jesus Christ.

Jesus is not just a way; He is “the way” to God.