A little help please. I am a Christian and for more than half of my life I have believed that?

Question

the only way to Heaven is to accept Christ as my Lord and Savior, something I did over 26 years ago. However, I have always questioned this, because part of me doesnt believe that Christians will be the only ones going to Heaven. I believe there is something in the Bible about having to know of Jesus. So what about other religions that honestly do not know or have been taught that He isnt the only way?

To be a little clearer on my question I give this example. Muslims believe Christ is the Messiah, but they do not believe He is the Son of God and they do not believe accepting Him as the Son of God is the only way to Heaven. I have recently been studying the Islamic faith and it's teachings are almost the same as the Bible's. I just cannot believe that all Muslims are going to hell because they don't believe Christ is the Son of God.

Answer 1

Hi Butterfly.

The only way to Heaven is through Christ. This is what he said. But that means we cannot determine who goes to Heaven and who does not. The way you have always interpreted that (as do many Christians) is that you have to do the act of consciously knowing Jesus is your savior and consciously asking for Him to be. In reality, that seems that you are doing the act and becoming your own savior.

The way I see it, all good things come from God. So God is working through many people - even if they do not consciously acknowledge it. If God is working through those people, why do we automatically assume Jesus will not accept them? That seems completely wrong to think that. I think Jesus does.

But again, it's not our place to judge anyone's salvation.

Answer 2

So interesting question butterfly... Have you heard about the italian Dante ? In the first part of his trilogy (Hell), there is something about all the people who lived before Jesus Christ was born... And said there was a special room for them in Hell... Cos they did nothing wrong, but they couldn't practice 'the right religion', created after they died. But I think, according to the fact his book was written in Middle Age, while christianism was not only a religion, but the only way people were allowed to think, but deaply, his question and your question is the same.
Then, when you read the bible, you have not to take things directly : all is symbolical.
I don't think God is an old wise man sitting on a cloud, nor there is Hell and Heaven somewhere...
The bible says (especially in wisdom chapter) : love and fear god, be wise, wake up early in the morning, work hard, whatever you do, do it with your all your heart and your soul, respect people around you (dont desire the woman -or the man- of another man -or woman-, be honest, et cetera).
And the message is : Hell or heaven are here and now, according to your actions : be wise (all I said before), be patient, don't get angry easily, and people will respect you, you will respect yourself, you will work well so you will earn money, etc... You will be happy, here and now : it's what means Heaven. Don't act well, and, here and now, you will live in Hell : you dont work hard, you don't respect people around you, you arent honest... You won't have money, respect, love... It's hell.
AND these rules are true for everybody : you can be a christian, a muslim, a jewish... It doesn't matter. Of course you know that the basis of these 3 religions is the same (the first chapters of all the sacred texts are the EXACTLY the same : genesis, etc... Then, the christians added Jesus, and the Muslims Mahomet. Did I answer your question ?

Answer 3

Jesus said the only way to the Father is through Him. No one can come to the Father except by Him. Many people will be in heaven, we don't know all that God does with people do we? Especially when someone is dying.
There is nothing in the Bible that says you just have to know of Jesus. The book of John is very clear, it is full of alot of Jesus' words about Him and the Father.
The other religions that don't know and haven't been taught? The Scriptures say that everyone has a chance to believe. God Himself says that if anyone seeks Him with their whole heart, that He would be found. Trouble is, many don't seek Him with their whole hearts, they go to different churches or cults for other reasons. When someone wants to find the Lord with their whole heart, they will. I can say this because it happened to me. I used to be a drug addict and cried out to the Lord. He is alive and well. Keep your faith!
Are you going to church anywhere? If you aren't this is a big part of the problem. When you get away from church it's easy to start doubting and be led away. Your spirit needs to be nurtured and fed.

Answer 4

"The servant who knew what his master (Christ) wanted but didn't get ready to do it will receive a hard beating. But the servant who didn't know what his master wanted and did things for which he deserved punishment will receive a light beating. A lot will be expected from everyone who has been given a lot. More will be demanded from everyone who has been entrusted with a lot." Luke 12:47-48

I believe that this parable is about those who knew about Jesus Christ and those who didn't and how they lived their lives. Therefore, those who know Jesus (Christians), are expected more of from God and will recieve harsher judgement than those who never knew Christ and his Father's will for us. In the end, all people (regardless of faith) will be judged fairly and justly on how they lived their lives (good or bad). Everyone has a chance to enter heaven, but only through Jesus Christ (John 14:6) God bless.

Answer 5

Jesus is the only way......no exceptions. If you question that, then you may not really be saved. I suggest you spend a little time reviewing the path to heaven and question yourself as to what you truly believe. Get into the Word....try the gospels or the book of Romans and let God speak to you through His Word. Other religions are just that....man's idea of how to worship and believe. Instead, go to the Holy Bible, God's Word that has been preserved through the centuries to find out God's truth. Pray for revelation from Him and begin to read and He will lead you to all the answers you seek. Bless you on your journey.

Answer 6

Isa 65:1 I am sought of them that asked not for me; I am found of them that sought me not: I said, Behold me, behold me, unto a nation that was not called by my name.
Isa 65:2 I have spread out my hands all the day unto a rebellious people, which walketh in a way that was not good, after their own thoughts;
Isa 65:3 A people that provoketh me to anger continually to my face; that sacrificeth in gardens, and burneth incense upon altars of brick;
Isa 65:4 Which remain among the graves, and lodge in the monuments, which eat swine's flesh, and broth of abominable things is in their vessels;
Isa 65:5 Which say, Stand by thyself, come not near to me; for I am holier than thou. These are a smoke in my nose, a fire that burneth all the day.

Sheesh!...I couldn't have said it better myself!
You go Isaiah!!!

Answer 7

When he said the way to heaven is through me, it is his teachings that are the way not just thinking that he died to save you. all people that follow them either directly or indirectly will be in heaven. all prophets have had similar messages as christ, so why wouldn't their followers be their too.

Answer 8

just know the lord is a fair God so whatever the judgement, the judgement will be righteous and thats all we need to know, BUT the ones who do know that he is the way and are capable of knowing, will definately without a doubt have no excuse, God bless

Answer 9

Yes, Beloved, the only way to Heaven is accepting Christ as your personal Savior..

Answer 10

The essence of salvation is this: G-d created us, G-d has a holy law that we must follow, we are not able to keep it ourselves, G-d made a way that we can be acceptable in his sight, we need to humbly accept that way.

That we know the name of the way is not that important.