R. Ervin Driskill
This is the question asked by the earnest traveler when he comes to the crossing of the roads. He knows full well that different roads lead to different destinations. And though he possesses the ability to choose a road which others tell him is right, and which he might sincerely believe to be right, such is not a guarantee that he will arrive at his desired destination by traveling the wrong road. So much for the travelers of time.
In the realm of religion there are many good people with honest hearts who come to the cross roads. Denominational churches with their various and contradictory teachings are held up as different ways leading to heaven. Men are told that, “All roads (churches) lead to heaven,” and are admonished to join the “church of your choice,” and that “one church is as good as another.”
Now consider this: Suppose you are traveling to Chicago and should come to a point where a dozen highways crossed each other. Instead of signs being placed there to direct you, the highway department has placed a dozen men there to direct traffic. Upon inquiring which road leads to Chicago, you are told to take the road of your choice. One of these roads is as good as another. They all lead to Chicago! I can imagine what you would think of such advice as that. I’m sure you would soon busy yourself in consulting a road map to find the right road to Chicago.
Just so, why not use the same common sense when you hear preachers and others say, “All the different churches are just different ways leading to heaven, so join the church of your choice?” Why not get your road map—the New Testament—and see whether the Lord has said anything about different ways, different churches, different creeds, and different ways of worship? We have just as much use for a road map that we do not consult on a trip as we have for a Bible that we do not read to direct us in the way of life.
God never intended that we be governed and guided by the wisdom of men in religion. “The world by wisdom knew not God” (1 Cor. 1:21) and the ways of men are incompatible with the ways of God (Isa. 55:6-8). “There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death” (Prov. 14:12).
Anciently, God said, “I will give them one heart and one way” (Jer. 23:29). Jesus was the fulfillment of that prophecy, for He said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life, and no man cometh unto the Father but by me” (John 14:6). Now according to this there is just one way, for there is but one Christ. It would be just as reasonable and as scriptural to preach many Christs, as to preach many ways to heaven.
Read your Bible. Believe what it teaches—humbly do what it requires and that will make you a Christian. As such, you will be a member of the only church of which the New Testament speaks—the church of Christ (Matt. 16:18; Acts 2:47). This will put you in the right way—the way of the Lord—and if you continue faithfully therein unto death you will be saved eternally in heaven.
