Are there Many paths to Christianity?

Question

I've read a couple similar questions... this question is probably closest: http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=AqsT1WETWWKKozG64Fxy85lIzKIX;_ylv=3?qid=20070824150631AAagC80

However, I was wondering... I am a Chrisitan but have had a lot of "issues" as I see them. I'm depressed more often than not, and there's other more personal things I don't really want to get into, but I often feel different or can't relate or can't even... nevermind. The point is, I've been in college for 4 years. I had to take a year off for personal reasons and still have about 2 more years to go. It's taking me forever to get thorugh college and I feel a bit guilty about it. Someone told me, "we all have our own path." Whenever people say that to me I feel what i identify as "the Spirit." I feel reassured that I'm going to be okay... and feel momentarily uplifted (till I think about depressing things again). The point being is I have often found that phrase very uplifting.

However, I always feel this is somewhat conflicting with Christianity. As Jesus talks about in Matt 7 about the way to heaven is straight and narrow. People often quote that there are many paths to destruction and many ways to get it wrong, but only one way to get it right. I think the many paths philosophy is very eastern and I'm worried it isn't compatible with Christianity. I'm not saying you don't need Jesus and that he saves, but don't we all understand truths or come to realizations differently? Can it be like there are many paths that lead to that one path, or am I stretching it... maybe just wishful thinking. I just really don't like the idea or feel uplifted by the idea of "straight and narrow"... wanted input. Thanks.

Answer 1

The straight & narrow way refers to the one and only way to salvation, which is Jesus. The “many paths” is referring to how we come to understand and learn things of God, and walk with Him. For example, some people learn well visually, others audibly, and still others by experience, and so on. Your bumpy road concerning college and other issues may be that one of “many paths” on which you’re learning to trust God in and walk with God. I’m not saying that God’s the One who put you there, but that God can and does work with us and help us wherever we are after we’ve taken a wrong turn. If you trust in God – which you said you did – your sensing that you’re “going to be okay” is absolutely right. God will never forsake you. If you want further help, let me know on this post, and I’ll do what I can to help you.

Answer 2

I will start off by saying, being depressed is nothing to be ashamed of, look at Psalms- David was depressed a lot of the time, but He kept His heart close to God, and praised Him anyway. However about the different paths- Jesus did not say, "I am A way, A truth and A life." He said, "I am THE way, THE truth and THE life". Those little words make a world of difference. If what your friend told you, "we all have our own path" believe me it is not the Spirit of God revealing that to you. Satan tries his hardest to distract us from the truth. Which spirit would it be if your friend said, "Jesus is the Only Way?' that would be His Spirit. Everyone has issues, my friend. Even the "strongest" Christian can have areas or his/her life that needs working on. If you truly have accepted Christ as your Savior, KNOW that you are saved. There will be days that you may not feel like it, but you are- I have an illness that causes me severe pain, and it can be hard some days to feel like praising God, however, I have made that choice. Have you checked to see if your depression is chemical? If it is not, give it over to God, He may not immediately remove it, but He will give you something far greater- His presence and grace to persevere. He did that for me.

Answer 3

I was once so depressed that I wanted to commit suicide. That was before I was saved.

But now, there's hardly a time where I am depressed. God is with me. I think the reason why God lifted me up is because I find new promises He made to trust Him with.

So here's what I mean by 'new promises'.

Just the other day I was reading in Isaiah. I came upon this:
2 Surely God is my salvation;
I will trust and not be afraid.
The LORD, the LORD, is my strength and my song;
he has become my salvation."

So what is so new about that? I have been a Christian for over 20 years! I know I am saved already!

But I also know that the word 'salvation' means more than just 'being saved'.

It also means this:
Strong's Number: 03444
Y@shuw`ah - noun feminine
yesh-oo'-aw
salvation, deliverance

1. welfare, prosperity
2. deliverance
3. salvation (by God)
4. victory

All of THAT?! Yes, all of that. So I will trust, and not be afraid. When things are getting me down, I just repeat to myself, "Trust God, I have to trust God, that's what I am all about now, trusting God, He is my deliverance, my victory, my welfare. He is truly my God, and I trust Him.

And so I can now say, what is depression? Worry? Anxiety? Anger at self? Good. Because God said the He is my salvation, and He cares about what I care about, He said so. He is the friend that I didn't know I had, until I realized that He loves me, and now I love Him back. Depression gives me certain things:
1) A reason to know I am a sinner. I don't have to look very far then.
2) With that I can look to Him, all pride gone, and the relationship that I have with Him can grow. I hate it when I get in the way.

Answer 4

The "path" talked about is not a way, but more of a belief. If it was a way we would all have to do the same actions, and earn our salvation. As a belief we need to be putting our trust in God. Jesus spoke about the path being a straight and narrow one, because through our own actions it is impossible, we need to have faith in Jesus and how he died to save us. Salvation is not about earning, it is about giving up and letting God take control of your life. It is not easy, and our earthly minds fight against this. Remember that we are humans not robots, we don't have to all do the same things. God knows and loves us regardless of whether we acknowledge him or not, he knows your heart. Ultimately the only person you have to answer to is God...not man. Everyones path in life is different, but that true belief in how Jesus has saved us, is united, that is the narrow path - the one that is hard to get down, because the world will try to pull you off it.

I think you need to find a Christian who you feel is strong in their faith, that you would be comfortable talking to, and share your worries. The whole reason Jesus asked people to pray together, was because he knew we would struggle to do it alone, we need the support of others.

Answer 5

There is one path to God and that is the atonement Christ provided, Your individual life as in what school you attend or if you attend school is a choice not a predestination of God.
Those who accept Jesus can be led in their personal lives but this is not their path to salvation which is only through Jesus.

Answer 6

There is only one path, but you find that one path after you've walked a lot of other paths.

Keep the faith.

When you think that your life is heading for a crash, get out of the driver's seat and let God drive.
(Read a story titled "Let God Drive")

Answer 7

1 Timothy 2:5 For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus,who gave Himself a ransom for all...
2 John 1:7 - For many deceivers have gone out into the world who do not confess Jesus Christ as coming in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist.8 Look to yourselves, that we do not lose those things that we worked for, but that we may receive a full reward.
9 Whoever transgresses and does not abide in the doctrine of Christ does not have God. He who abides in the doctrine of Christ has both the Father and the Son.10 If anyone comes to you and does not bring this doctrine, do not receive him into your house nor greet him: for he who greets him shares in his evil deeds.

1 Timothy 2:5 For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, 6, who gave Himself a ransom for all...

Who is a liar but he who denies that Jesus is the Christ?He is Antichrist who denies the Father and the Son.Whoever denies the Son does not have the Father; he who acknowledges the Son has the Father also.John 2:22

Also I say to you, whoever confesses Me before men, him the Son of Man also will confess before the angels of God. But he who denies Me before men will be denied before the angels of God. Luke 12:4

John 3:17 For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. He who believes in Him is not condemned; but He who does not believe is condemned already, because He has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.

Any Christian enrolled in public school or secular college today, needs to spend time in prayer and Bible study daily, getting rooted in God's truths.The secular Humanism being promoted in our schools today could be the sourse of this conflict you are experiencing inside of your heart. I highly recommend you read Led By The Carpenter by D. James Kennedy. God bless!!!

Answer 8

John 14:8 has NOT changed. Now careful, he's the only way to the Father...Jn. 3:16 is your first step,,,but you've been taught this already. Now since Christ won't leave you... Don't turn away from him.

Answer 9

Abraham was chosen to be a Great Prophet of the Creator of the Universe.

Abraham had two sons who were both to be blessed with a Holy Covenant at separate times.


The Holy Covenant are promises from The Lord of Abraham in return for taking on the responsibility to "Make Allah/God known to the World" and establishing the “laws of God” on the Earth.

Ishmael - first son - ISLAM
Issac - second son - JUDAISM & Christianity

JUDAISM is the covenant through Isaac.
ISLAM is the covenant through Ishmael.


,

Answer 10

a phrase shouldn't be what lift youup. it should be your faith and the graceof god. maybe you've been saying you're a christian but you're not living as one. ar you putting spiritual matters first? the reciting and even chants are repetitious and rote. the bible says you should pray from the heart.

if you seek him , he will not forsake you. faith without works is dead. it's very easy to say i am a christian. that's why so many non-believers like to slam christianity. they talk about christian rapists and criminals. those aren't christians. just saying you're a christian doesn't make you one. as jesus told them...'get away from me you workers of lawlessness'. even though they prophesied in his name.