Then Jesus went with his disciples to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to them, “Sit here while I go over there and pray.” He took Peter and the two sons of Zebedee along with him, and he began to be sorrowful and troubled. Then he said to them, “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me.” Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.” (Matthew 26:36–39, NIV 1984).
My Musings – “There was a time when you would see people in the pulpit say, ‘well, if you don’t believe in Jesus you are going to Hell.’ That’s insanity in many ways because that is not what Jesus even believes. People take many paths to God — even if that path does not involve faith in Jesus.” (Michael A. Walrond Jr., First Corinthian Baptist Church in Harlem).
I found this on the internet, and I hope he was quoted out of context, if not misquoted entirely. Whatever the case, let’s be clear – this sentiment is not only utter nonsense, but also a dangerous misrepresentation of what Jesus Himself believed and preached. “Thomas said to him, ‘Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way?’ Jesus answered, ‘I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.'” (John 14:5–6, NIV 1984).
Unfortunately, there are more and more people, even within the ranks of what is considered Christendom, that believe there are many paths. So, let me make this clear as well. This belief has no part in the Christendom that Jesus “founded.” What’s more, not only is it not true, but it was also impossible for it to be true. If it were possible, the Gospel story would have ended in the Garden of Gethsemane. The cup would have passed. No arrest. No trial. No crucifixion. The Father would never have allowed it to happen if there was any other way (any other paths). Even if He came to trial, He would have never made it to the cross. “I [Jesus] lay down my life—only to take it up again. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again.”(John 10:17–18, NIV 1984). He would have never laid it down if there was any other path or paths.
My Advice – So, what are we to believe? A new truth claim that contradicts 2000 years of settled truth, or the One who died for that truth? What’s more, the One who validated the truth He died for by rising from the dead. Check the credentials of the ones or One who is making the truth claim. Then decide for yourself. There are many paths to hell, but only one to heaven. You have His word on that.
The Brew Is A Musing 