Objections to the gospel often surface when we present Jesus as the only way to Heaven. Some might say, “There’s several ways to get to Heaven because there’s several religions in the world.” Others may say, “It’s really narrow minded to believe that there's only one way to Heaven.” Therefore, a simple method to combat these objections is to address Heaven’s requirement.
According to Scripture, the singular qualification for dwelling in God's holy and righteous presence in Heaven is sinless perfection. Revelation 21:27 says, “But there shall by no means enter it anything that defiles, or causes an abomination or a lie, but only those who are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life.” Scripture also states in 1 Corinthians 6:9-10, “Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God.”
The Bible goes on to say in Galatians 5:19-21, “Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are: immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions, envying, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these, of which I forewarn you, just as I have forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.” Likewise, Revelation 21:8 declares, “But for the cowardly and unbelieving and abominable and murderers and immoral persons and sorcerers and idolaters and all liars, their part will be in the lake that burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.”
Given these biblical facts, everyone is disqualified from entering Heaven on their own merits because “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). It does not matter what religious ordinances people have observed, charitable deeds they performed, or good behavior they exhibited because none eradicate their sins. Their sinfulness is what renders them spiritually dead and hell bound for eternity because “the wages of sin is death” (Romans 6:23).
For this reason, Jesus left the glory of Heaven to come to Earth as God manifested in human flesh. He lived a sinless life of obedience to God the Father on every sinner’s behalf, satisfying His Father’s righteous requirements for holiness. Jesus also took the world’s sins upon Himself, suffered the punishment and wrath each one deserved, and died a substitutionary death in every sinner’s place. Upon breathing His last, Jesus proclaimed, “It is finished,” signifying His Father’s acceptance of His perfect sacrifice for sin.
Jesus’ death alone was sufficient to cleanse sinners from all unrighteousness because Hebrews 9:22 says, “The law requires that nearly everything be cleansed with blood, and without the shedding of [innocent] blood there is no forgiveness” [emphasis mine]. Furthermore, God renders sinners righteous and holy when they trust His Son, Jesus, for forgiveness and salvation. Romans 3:22-24 says, “This righteousness is given through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference between Jew and Gentile, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.”
Therefore, Jesus’ sacrificial death is the only means available for sinners to enter Heaven because He was the only perfect and holy One who could atone for the world’s sins. No other person, leader, religious system, or means qualifies because they all fall short of God’s righteous requirement. Hence, Acts 4:12 proclaims, “Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.” Likewise, Jesus declared in John 14:6, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” Lastly, 1 John 5:11-12 declares, “God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. He who has the Son has the life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have the life.”
I hope this information helps you understand and explain to others why Jesus is the only way to Heaven.
