Jesus Rejects "Other Paths to God"

It is popular in our day to say that all religions are equally true. The Pope recently announced that even atheists are saved, even though they aren't aware of it. These beliefs depend on something that Jesus said: "The gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to life, and those who enter by it are many. But the gate is

A Narrow Path

narrow and the way is hard that leads to destruction, and those who find it are few" (Matthew 7:13-14). 

Wait a minute! Is that what Jesus said? Actually, those verses read this way: "The gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few." That is just the opposite of popular American religion, even if the Pope says otherwise. 

There is something else that Jesus said on this matter: "Truly, truly, I say to you, he who does not enter the sheepfold by the door but climbs in by another way, that man is a thief and a robber. But he who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep" (John 10:1-2). So, He insists that there is only one way to enter the sheepfold, His image for salvation. One way, not many. What is that one way? "Truly, truly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep. All who came before Me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them. I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture" (verses 7-9). Jesus Himself is the way! Not good works, or sincerity, or church attendance. None of those things that are acceptable to our fallen culture. Only Jesus Himself, received by faith alone.