My dear friend, yes, I do believe that there is only one way to heaven, and that way is through faith in the saving grace of the Lord Jesus Christ. John 14:6 tells us, “Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” Again, the Bible tells us in Acts 4:12, “Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” Nor do I find God’s promise of forgiveness for sins to be too narrow because salvation and everlasting life are freely offered to anyone in this world who will confess their sins and believe on the Lord Jesus Christ (John 3:16; Romans 10:9). But now what about those who have never heard about Jesus Christ? In John 6:37, the Lord Jesus said: “All that the Father gives Me will come to Me, and the one who comes to Me I will by no means cast out.” I believe that if someone truly wants to find God, God will get the Gospel to that person. Now you’ll note that my response has been limited to what I find in Scripture because I fully believe that the Bible is the truth of God (John 17:17). I believe the Bible to be the rock-solid authority on the purposes and will of God for all mankind.

But now you have asked, “What about the people who live their lives in service to others? Will God ignore their good deeds?” First of all, the Bible teaches that salvation is based upon faith in the Lord Jesus Christ apart from any good works which we may accomplish. We read in Ephesians 2:8-9: “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.” This is not to say that good works and service to others is not important to God…these things are expected of all Christians. We are exhorted in the Scriptures not to be weary in well doing, and we are definitely commanded to love one another (Galatians 6:9; 1 John 4:7-11). But the desire and the capacity to truly love as Christ Jesus loved us comes from the Holy Spirit and is not part of our fleshly nature. Romans 5:5 tells us, “…the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.” In Galatians 5:22-23 we read, ”…the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.” But again, love and good work are not the basis for our salvation and our heavenly hope.

My dear friend, and all who may be reading this document, God wants all men to be saved (2 Peter 3:9). However, there is one way and one way only for us to be forgiven for our sins and to obtain the certain hope of heaven, and that is through faith in the finished work of the Lord Jesus Christ on the cross of Calvary. Titus 3:5-7 reminds us: “Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior, that having been justified by His grace we should become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.” It is my prayer that you each may come to a saving faith in Christ Jesus today. May the Lord bless His Word to your hearts.  (SF)  (736.6)