Are There Different Paths to God?

I hear people in the world talk about that question so often. At the heart of many of the arguments is not being judgmental. How can I, as a Christian, say that a Buddhist, a Islamist, a New Ager, or a Mormon will not be saved. At the core, this seems very unfair, critical, and an elitist thing to say... but is it? Let me paint a picture for you. I had gone to the Dakotas for my daughters graduation. She was coming to Wisconsin with us. My wife and my daughter took one car and headed home, stopping at a few quilt shops to find the perfect fabric. I, on the other hand, took a more southern route with less stops along the way. We both ended up getting home. So, it seems that two routes can get to the same location. Hang on a second. What if one was using a faulty map or didn’t understand how to read the map. They may have started heading for Washington state, California, or Texas. When the route was absent the means of accurate directions, it is unlikely that anyone would be able to find their way home through several states. The different paths, that succeeded, still used the same accurate mapping. Let’s go back to the Christian’s claim that Jesus is the only way and that God’s word is the map or direction we need to be saved. One might be Lutheran or Catholic, orthodox or charismatic, traditional or contemporary, but if they are using the same source of direction... God’s word and what Jesus did for us... they will arrive at the same destination... heaven. If, however, we aren’t using the same map (Bible) we will not know God, or His will, or receive wisdom that only the Holy Spirit can give. Therefore, those “religions” that don’t recognize Jesus as God, as our Savior, and as the only way, will not see heaven. This is not my desire or judgement... this is God’s direction and plan. In John 1:12 we read, “Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God”. Jesus also says in John 14, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” The Bible is proven accurate through archeology and history. It doesn’t change to suit the world’s desires. That being true, God makes it very clear that there is only one way. Lord, help us to follow Your way revealed in the Bible and keep us from following the philosophies of the world. Amen