One Way

I just had a chat with someone online about their belief's and they threw a phrase out at me that really gets my goat. The phrase? "There are many paths up the mountain." They were trying to make the argument that it does not really matter so much what you believe, nor WHO you believe in, just so long as you believe in something. So many people seem to believe that all gods are in reality one and the same god who has wears different masks, or has revealed himself in different ways to different people. The belief in this way of thinking is that we will all end up in the same place, but that we just take a different road or path to that place. Sounds wonderful, but it just is not true. The reality is that many are trudging up the mountain, not realizing that they are on the wrong mountain, and sadly, most will not realize this until the get to the top, or finish their course. The many paths up the mountain concept only works if you absolutely know that there is only one mountain. The fact is, their are multiple mountains (false gods) and we must discern which mountain is in fact the right mountain. My friend asked me the question that I know others will ask. "How do you know you are on the right mountain?" That can be a very long answer, but for the moment, let me just say, "weigh the evidence."
Not what "sounds good" but the evidence that leads to truth. If you search for God with all of your heart, you will find him.

Are there many paths? You bet. But they don't all lead to the same place. They don't all have the same reward. We cannot choose the easy road, the convenient road, but we must choose the one road that gets us to the appointed destination. It's not going to be the path or road that the masses are taking. Jesus said it this way, "Go in through the narrow gate, because broad and spacious is the road leading off into destruction, and many are the ones going through it: whereas narrow is the gate and cramped is the road leading off into life, and few are the ones finding it." (Matthew 7:13-14)

It is clear that there are many paths, but one one path that is right. Suppose you are traveling and you want to enjoy the beauty of the trip, so you alter your course so that you take the road that runs up through the mountain, following the natural twists and turns which brings you to breathtaking views that overlook the surrounding area. When you arrive at the top you get out of your car and look down over the valley and below you can see the Interstate cut through the side of the mountain that is filled with hundreds of cars. All they see is the cutaway mountain and the tail lights of the other cars, but you have enjoyed the beauty of all that is around you. Jesus says that most take the easy route that cuts through without the work and time involved. But being a follower of Christ, a Christian, means that life has twists and turns and bends in the road. There are dangers along the way, but the end result is life while the easy (and popular) path leads to destruction.

Simply put, '"truth is truth." There cannot be multiple and varying truths, for if there is, then they cease to be truth. Jesus said he is the way, the truth and the life. He said that there is one way, through Him, to the Father. If there are "other paths" then that means Jesus lied, which means he is not the truth. You cannot have it both ways.

There may be many paths, but they do not all lead to the same destination. There is one way, and that way is Jesus Christ.