Man’s Only Hope
“For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and goats could take away sins. For
by one offering He has perfected forever those who are being sanctified” (Hebrews 10:4,14).
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here
are voices crying out all over the world from many religions: “Our religion is
the way to salvation!” In fact, some are willing to die for their faith.
However, there is one important thing missing that nullifies their claim. They
do not have Jesus and His cross, and man’s only hope to heaven is the cross. Jesus
settled this fact forever, when He said,
“I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except
through Me” (John 14:6). Only the cross where
Jesus gave Himself in sacrifice is able to reach God’s eternal throne in
heaven.
Many
of these religions claim to follow intelligent and influential leaders of the
past, but these were only of the earth. Therefore, those who follow them must
look only downward. But
those who follow Jesus can look upward to God! Jesus came
from the Father and returned to
the Father. Jesus died, but He was resurrected! Jesus is alive forever!
There
are only two ways presented in the Bible—the narrow way to life, and the broad
way to destruction (Matthew 7:13,14). Since Jesus is the only way to the
Father, all without Him are on the broad way. This was what Jesus was
expressing when He said, “Therefore I said to you that you will die in
your sins; for if you do not believe that I am He, you will die in your sins” (John 8:24).
Thus, the world’s greatest need is the gospel, God’s power to save (Rom. 1:16). Why is this so important? Because it is the only way to the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. This is why Jesus commanded His apostles: “And He said to them, ‘Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned’” (Mk 16:15, 16).