Heaven's Guest List: Unveiling the Truth

During COVID-19, my mom bought us tickets to see a Broadway show. As the date approached, our anticipation grew stronger and stronger. This was a show I had been wanting to see for a very long time. About two weeks before, the company sent a notice saying that the only way to get in was with a negative Covid test. It seemed simple enough at the time, but there was a catch. The negative test had to be no more than 48 hours before the show. It was nearly impossible to get in anywhere to get tested at the time, but I managed to find a testing center. After a quick swob, they informed me I'd get an email with the results in about 24 hours. 

So, I waited 24 hours, and no email came. The hours crept closer and closer to show time, and still no email. My mom, my sister, and I got in the car praying the email would come on the way to the theater. As we pulled up, I still didn’t have an email with the results. All three of us began praying that, somehow, I could still get into the show without it. My mom and my sister walked through the door showing their results, and I held my breath as I walked in behind them. Surprisingly, no one stopped me, and I was permitted to enter. It wasn't until I sat down that the email finally came through with the negative test result. 

Some of us view Jesus as someone at the door checking to make sure we are clean. Or perhaps, we view Jesus as a fancy bouncer guarding the door to an exclusive club. As we approach, we give our names, and He checks the list the see if we are welcomed into heaven. Did you know that 70% of Christians in America said that all religions lead to heaven? Yet, scripture clearly tells us otherwise. In John 14:6, Jesus says to the disciples, "'I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.'" The sad reality is that we interact with people who are going to hell every day, and we tend to be okay with it. To say that all religions are right and lead us to heaven is ignorant and contradictory. 

Every other religion is exclusive. Some say everyone teaches the same thing, but when you study them, you will see that each religion has its own way and view of salvation. For example, the Quran (the holy book of Islam) states that those who prefer a religion other than Islam will not be accepted and will be "among the losers". It goes on to state that those who find salvation in the son of Mary (Jesus) will never reach paradise and "find refuge in the fire". Hinduism teaches that those who don't believe in their teaching can not attain "Krishna" (Enlightenment). In this, we see that not only do they believe in a different way, but in a different destination (reincarnation). Let's take a look at Buddhism. In a passage entitled "The Way" from their book, it reads that Buddhism is the only way of purification and that through it, they will meet an end of suffering. By using "love" to say that all religions are right, we are really saying all religions are wrong because they all contradict each other.

Christianity is exclusive but it is the most inclusive out of all the world religions. Only in Christianity do we see a perfect, sinless man with his arms stretched out on the cross saying "Anyone who believes in me shall not perish, but have eternal life" (John 3:16). Jesus is the only one who does everything and anything to get us to eternity with Him. Additionally, the Bible is the only religious book that fulfills itself. It is the only book in all of history written by 40 or more authors over 1500 years with 340,000 cross-references embedded in it. So, when we talk about heaven, there is only one way. Just like all gates in the airport won't get you where you want to go, all religions won't get you into heaven. I've said this before and I will say it again.... The most loving thing we can ever do for someone is to share with them the truth of the gospel. 

The world today tries to tell us that there is no absolute truth. Yet, to take that statement in its full weight is to deny truths such as when you stop breathing you will die. We all know that is true. Just as it is true that if you step off a cliff, you will fall because gravity exists. There are truths we all agree upon, and something can be true even if nobody practices it or believes it. You may feel like your truth is that you can fly, but the ultimate truth of gravity will override your little truth. The crazy thing about that situation is most people would agree that by telling you your truth was wrong, it would be because we had your best interest in mind. We know the truth of gravity and because we don't want you to die, we would tell you that you can’t fly. So, let me tell you the absolute, real, and honest truth: Without Jesus, you will die. 

Now, you may be wondering, if Jesus is the only way to heaven, what about the people who never hear the gospel? There are parts of the world today that don't have access to the Bible. That said, I read on the news a few weeks back about people in the Middle East coming to faith through dreams. Hundreds of people all reported having the same dream of Christ revealing Himself. The reality is that God reveals Himself all around us, all the time. But why should He have to use dreams when He has us? It's time to stop sugarcoating the gospel and stop affirming the truth that contradicts the Word of God. We have a mission to uphold, and eternity is at stake. 

Have you ever gone fishing? I can’t count the number of times my boyfriend has asked me to go. I usually say no because I feel bad pulling a fish out of his home when he’s just trying to have a nice snack, you know? Fish aren’t meant to be outside the water. They were made to be in the right relationship with it. I might feel it’s right and loving to take the fish out of the water, but it will actually kill it. Similarly, we are meant to live in the right relationship with Jesus. We might think we are making a loving decision by telling someone they can make it to heaven without Him, but it will cost them their life. All that said, Jesus is not just a bouncer or a guard at a gate. He is a safe haven in times of confusion and chaos. He died on the cross for your sins and went to prepare a place for you in heaven. Heaven isn’t an exclusive club. It’s open to everyone who receives the gift of salvation through Jesus Christ our Lord.

May your roots run deep, and your faith remain strong! As always, Stay Rooted, my friends! <3