Is Jesus Really the Only Way?

“There is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to people by which we must be saved.” (Acts 4:12)

All of my life I have heard, been taught, and been surrounded by people who adamantly believe Jesus is the only way to God, the only way to miss hell, the only way to ensure heaven after death.

It is wonderfully true (see John 14:6) and I will forever be grateful for my upbringing.

However.

That’s where it stopped. It’s usually where it still stops. Jesus is the only way to get to God post death. But I don’t see many people who believe that Jesus is the only way to wholeness and restoration right now.

Jesus is the only way for hell insurance. But Jesus isn’t the only way to be fixed.

I am grateful we have confidence in Him for our post-death experience. But I fear we have zero confidence in His salvation – and only His salvation – in the here and now.

When Peter told the religious leaders that there is salvation in no one else but Jesus, he didn’t just mean that if they prayed the “magic prayer” they would be able to flash their insurance card at the pearly gates. As a matter of fact, I don’t think he meant that at all. That didn’t get him in trouble with the “powers that be.” When he spoke of salvation, he meant an all-encompassing new way of life that centered itself around the Person of the resurrected King Jesus. Salvation means being rescued, restored, transformed, and led by the one and only King Jesus.

When Zacchaeus demonstrated a new way of life, Jesus didn’t say, “if you pray a prayer, you will be saved from hell when you die.” He said, “Today, salvation has come to this house!” Why? How? Zacchaeus was being restored, rescued, transformed, and led by – not himself – but the one and only true King . . . Jesus.

It is true that ultimate restoration and wholeness will not come until the life to come. But salvation in Christ alone isn’t just for later. He is salvation for us now. He is available now. He is present now. He is working now. Let’s not find ourselves preaching a “One-Way-Salvation-Later” message while living as if Jesus isn’t salvation now.

What have you been guilty of looking to for your salvation today? Is it Jesus? He is, you know. Not just one of many. He’s the ONLY way to life.