I Am The Way
October 2018
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THERE HAS NEVER BEEN a time in human history where there has been as many cults and religions as there are today. Paul instructed Timothy that in the last days “some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils” (I Tim. 4:1). With an increase in the number of religions comes the increase in paths to choose from. And yet, Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me” (Jn. 14:6).
Many Ways
In the time that Jesus made the claim of one solitary path to God the Father, there were many ways or religious traditions available to man. Astrology—the belief that the sun and the stars control human life—was introduced by the Babylonians and was embraced by many in the Greek and Roman empires. The Egyptians encouraged the worship of Osiris and Serapis. Astarte was the Semitic goddess of fertility and love. She was the most important goddess of the Phoenicians and was similar to the Babylonian Ishtar and the Greek Aphrodite.
Greek Philosophy
With the many conquests of Alexander the Great came the introduction of new deities. Some were old deities renamed, and others were added. Zeus, the chief of the Greek gods, and Artemis, the goddess of the hunt, became household names throughout the Hellenistic period. Greek philosophers Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle presented a new way of thinking that still influences the mindset of people today.
Roman Gods
The Romans had so many gods and goddesses that during their times of devotions they placed them into groups so as to not forget to name one of them. Di superi were the gods above or heavenly gods, di terrestres were terrestrial gods, and di inferi were the gods of the underworld.
Judaism
With the introduction of the Pharisees, the Sadducees, the Zealots, and the Herodians came influences that drew the Jewish people further away from what God had given to Moses. Jesus told them, “Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye compass sea and land to make one proselyte, and when he is made, ye make him twofold more the child of hell than yourselves” (Mat 23:15).
Many Ways Yet Only One
There were many ways available when Jesus said He was the way, the truth, and the life. Yet He was the only way to the Father. “There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death” (Prov. 14:12).
The ancient Babylonians presented their “way” as being the right way. The Greeks presented their “way” as being the right way. The Greeks presented their “way” as being the right way. They were wrong. The end of their way is the way of death.
Many Ways Available Today
There are many paths available today. The exact number of religions in the world is not known, but estimates show the number to be about 4,300 according to Adherents.com. Obviously they cannot all be right. In fact, most of these say that they are the “only true religion.” As with the many religions during the time of Christ, the end of their way is also death.
I Believe The Bible
I believe the Bible. I believe that Jesus Christ is the Word that pre-existed with the Father before creation and was God before His incarnation. I believe that He is the way the truth and the life and that nobody comes to the Father but through believing in the completed work of Calvary. There is only one way—His name is Jesus.
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