6. There are many ways to God; Jesus is one of those ways
According to the Bible, going to heaven is by faith alone in Jesus. He alone has the power and authority to save us. If you belong to Jesus, you no longer face condemnation for the sins you committed in the past, present, or future. (Hebrews 10:11-12,14; Ephesians 1:4–5)
At the cross, one of the thieves “believed” who Jesus is and what He offers (salvation). Jesus replied, “Today, you shall be with me in paradise” (Luke 23:43). His death on the cross has paid the penalty for all times. (Hebrews 9:26)
How is it twisted?
A. “Our good works can get us to heaven”
Going to heaven combines believing in Jesus and doing good works. In other words, we go to heaven by earning favors from God. This can be in the form of indulgence (donating to church) or joining mission work.
For most Roman Catholics, the mediation, “being the mother of God” (Theotokos), and worship of Mary makes it possible to earn salvation through her.
The Apostles had the same problems in the early church because groups tried to confuse the gospel by maintaining that “good works” have merits.
Good works are essential to God; we were created in Christ to do so, but salvation is only through Jesus. Otherwise, if we can save ourselves from doing things for God, Christ need not die for our sins.
Ephesians 2:8
For by grace, you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not by works so that no one can boast.
Ephesians 2:10
For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.
SEMANTICS OF MARY THE THEOTOKOS.
B. “There are many ways to God; one is Jesus”
In 1997, Oprah Winfrey said in her T.V. show, “There are millions of ways to be a human being and many paths to what you call God… There couldn’t possibly be just one way!” She said, “Well, I am a Christian who believes that there are certainly many more paths to God other than Christianity.“
What she said bolstered what many assume to be true—that God is so loving that if you are good, He will save you—even if you refuse to believe in Jesus. However, that is one of Satan’s most effective lies.
The truth is, if you reject Jesus, He will reject you in heaven. Yes, there are many ways to try to know God, but only through His son, Jesus, can we access our heavenly Father.
John 14:6
Jesus answered, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.
