morality and decency, combating what they call worldliness with the Holy Bible.
Licentious spectators generally see religious people as morally better than the
rest of society. I’ve heard them say, “If anyone is going to heaven it will be her,
because she is so devout.” In spite of popular opinion, religious devoutness is not
all that is required in inheriting heaven when one dies. In fact, the majority of
even religiously devout people in the world will die having chosen a route not
patterned by Christ Jesus. Any religion that does not respect the authority of the
New Testament in doctrine, organization, worship and living has no basis to
claim allegiance to the narrow way of Matthew 7:13,14. Jesus said, “Enter ye in at
the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to
destruction, and many there be which go in thereat. Because strait is the gate,
and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it”
(Matthew 7:13,14). There was only one church in the first century that existed
when Jesus ascended into heaven (Ephesians 1:22,23; 4:4). Because of the church’
s expansion (Acts 1:8), other congregations were formed, but they continued as
the one church Jesus built (Matthew 16:18,19; Acts 20:28). They remained the
one church because “they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine” (Acts 2:
42). There was no need to call the church one name or another because there was
no such thing as denominations. The people of the church were simply called
“Christians” (Acts 11:26; 1 Peter 4:16), wearing only the name of Christ.
There is only one way
There is only one way to God the Father. Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth,
and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me” (John 14:6). “The” is a
definite article, indicating singularity. Muhammad does not offer a way to God.
Buddhism and Hinduism’s teachings do not correspond with the “one way”
doctrine of Jehovah God. Jesus is the only one both God and man who resisted
Satan’s temptations entirely (Hebrews 4:15) and died to rise and ascend, offering
salvation to all men (Galatians 4:4; Titus 2:11; Hebrews 5:9).
To be pursuing the one way of God, one must be adhering to the teachings of
Christ as given in the New Testament. Paul said, “Whatsoever ye do in word or
deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father
by him” (Colossians 3:17). The authority of Christ is found in the words
conveniently printed red in most Bibles, as well as in the words of the apostles
and other New Testament writers, for Jesus presented them His Spirit who would
“teach… all things” (John 14:26). Therefore, a determining factor of whether a
church is on the one way is by comparing such things as its organization, doctrine
and worship to the Bible. Do as the Bereans (Acts 17:11): Search the scriptures to
deduce whether the organization of which you are a part abides by sacred
scripture.
Jesus taught to bring people out of the religious broad way
On the Day of Judgment, the abominable, whoremongers, sorcerers, and liars
will be sentenced to hell (Revelation 21:8), but with them will be idolaters (a
religious preference) and many people who claim Christ as their Lord (Revelation
21:8; Matthew 7:21-23). In Matthew 7:21-23, Jesus said, “Not every one that saith
unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth
the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord,
Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out
devils? And in thy name done many good wonderful works? And then will I
profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.”
Consider what Jesus said to some of the seemingly most devout Jews of His day:
“...woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For ye shut up the kingdom
of heaven against men: for ye neither go in yourselves, neither suffer ye them
that are entering to go in.” “Even so ye also outwardly appear righteous unto
men, but within ye are full of hypocrisy and iniquity” (Matthew 23:13,28).
The apostle Paul, once a terrorizing threat to Christianity, reflected on his
former religion, saying, “Men and brethren, I have lived in all good conscience
before God until this day” (Acts 23:1). Paul once “wrought havoc on the church”
and zealously so (Acts 8:3; Philippians 3:6) but found for some time he had been
mistaken, thinking he had been serving God.
Don’t think hiding behind the name of some great preacher, pastor or pope
will reserve you a place in heaven. No church that disobeys the will of Jesus
Christ can claim a right to the narrow way He provides. Standing behind some
grand denominational name or interdenominational title will not have the
desired eternal effect. Though Christ’s way is narrow it can be found and it can be
followed. It is not confusing or complex; It’s simple. It’s not impossible but
absolutely within reach if only we study and learn His word (2 Timothy 2:15). In
the New Testament you will find that eternally saved ones are only those
religious people who are called by Christ’s name only and who pursue the
worship and teachings Jesus maintained in building His church approximately
2,000 years ago. If you are practicing religion and yet find yourself on the “broad
way,” won’t you “buy the truth and sell it not” (Proverbs 23:23)? Seek the church
of God’s choice — not your own.
