From His Heart - Week of August 29
HOW MANY ROADS LEAD TO HEAVEN?
"And there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men, by which we must be saved."
Acts 4:12
A few years ago, the front page of the Dallas Morning News had a big article titled, “ON RELIGION, THERE ARE FEW ABSOLUTES.” The article cited a recent national survey from The Pew Forum for Religion and Public Life where people who call themselves Christians stated overwhelmingly that they believe there is more than one road to heaven.
The survey question was asked, “Do you believe that many religions can lead to eternal life?” The “yes” responses are quite startling and revealing: All Evangelical Churches: 57%; Southern Baptists: 61%; All Mainline Churches: 83%; United Methodist: 85%; Historically Black Churches: 59%; Catholic: 79%.
WHAT DID JESUS SAY?
While it may be politically correct in America to think all roads lead to heaven and faith is faith, regardless of the object, let me remind you what Jesus said in John 14:6, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father, but through Me.”
According to Jesus, the King of kings, how many roads lead to heaven? Just one! Nobody will ever get to heaven apart from “repentance toward God and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ” (Acts 20:21). His bloody cross and empty tomb pave the only road that leads to eternal life in glory.
THE LAST DAYS
Without question, we are living in the last of the last days. Multitudes are falling away from “the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints” at breakneck speed. Tragically, they are rejecting the true God in favor of the “Mush god.” This god goes by many names and has no absolutes, no standards, no holiness, no commands, no hatred for sin, and no entrance requirements for heaven. He just has love, acceptance, and approval for all, regardless of belief or practice.
It is important for us to remember that there is only one God. God says in Isaiah 45:5-7, “I am the LORD (Yahweh or Jehovah), and there is no other; Besides Me there is no God. I will gird you, though you have not known Me; that men may know from the rising to the setting of the sun that there is no one besides Me. I am the LORD, and there is no other, the One forming light and creating darkness, causing well-being and creating calamity; I am the LORD who does all these.”
Now Yahweh from the Old Testament is called Jesus in the New Testament … for the name Jesus literally means “Yahweh (or Jehovah) saves.”
What makes Christianity so amazing and so different from all the other religions of the world is this: The King and Creator became a man, died for our sins and rose again from the dead. As former Attorney General John Ashcroft so astutely said when comparing Islam to Christianity, “Islam is a religion in which Allah requires you to send your son to die for him. Christianity is a faith in which God sent His Son to die for you.”
WE NEED REVIVAL
The Pew Forum survey highlights our great need for revival in America. We are on the road to Sodom and the wrath of God (see Romans 1:18-32). But the good news is this: God’s people hold the key to turn things around. The Lord tells us that if we, His people, will humble ourselves and pray and seek His face and turn from our wicked ways, then He promises to hear from heaven, forgive our great sins, and heal our land (see 2 Chronicles 7:14).
God answers when we pray. Every great revival throughout history has always come as a result of prayer. Will you join me in praying for revival to come as God’s people get right with Him? You and I hold the key. What will we do with it?
Love,
Pastor Jeff Schreve,
From His Heart Ministries
P.S. Click www.fromhisheart.org/Prayer-PrayerWorks.aspx and allow us and hundreds from all over the world to join you in prayer.
Jeff Schreve founded From His Heart Ministries, www.fromhisheart.org, in 2005 with the vision to reach as many people as possible with the good news of God's love. Jeff believes that no matter how badly you may have messed up in life, God still loves you and has a great plan just for you. He broadcast on radio, TV and in the internet around the world from his pulpit ministry as Pastor of First Baptist in Texarkana, Texas. This ministry is completely listener/viewer supported. It continues only through the faithful and generous gifts of people like you. Pastor Jeff takes no income from this ministry. All gifts go to further the broadcast.
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