In John 10:9, Jesus says, “I am THE DOOR; if anyone enters through Me, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.” In John 14:6, Jesus tells His disciples, “I am THE WAY, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father, but through Me.”
One dusty afternoon in Senegal, while serving at Dakar Academy, I chatted with the neighborhood pharmacist who subscribed to the local religion. He parroted what many self-directed people in our world purport, “All roads lead to God.” This is to say that everyone looking for God will find Him, no matter what path they take. Actually, we know from Matthew 7:13-15 that the road you take is going to lead you to eternal life or permanent destruction. All roads are not created equal.
Yet in an effort to meet this man where he was at, to bring him toward gospel truth, a Biblical revelation came to mind. One COULD say that all roads lead TO God. Romans 14:11-12 (NAS) says, “For it is written, ‘As I live,’ says the Lord, ‘every knee shall bow to Me, and every tongue shall give praise to God.’ So then each one of us will give an account of himself to God.” The key is whether or not you are welcomed into God’s Kingdom or sentenced to eternal separation in hell. I smiled brightly, sensing God’s help. “But there is only ONE door!” Then I shared with him the eternal lamp light of John 10:9 and John 14:6.
Four decades running, seemingly without fruit, our family and friends have prayed for a particular loved one to come to know Jesus as her Savior. She’s been so sure of herself, but so lost at the same time, rejecting clear truth for doctrines of demons. It’s painful to watch a spiritually blind person leading others into the dark. And I’ve wished her blind guides would lose their grip.
One day, while praying earnestly for her, the Lord gave me a picture of someone making systematic wrong turns in search of truth, as if exiting the correct freeway onto misleading clover leaves. The thought came to mind – if she clings to bits of truth, while discarding all that’s false, she will circle back toward the whole truth, at least for a moment each time. Our hearts break over every wrong turn; but we maintain hope that our prayers will break through and she’ll let Jesus lead her HOME.
“All Roads” by Nancy McComb
All roads lead to God, they say; and truly this is true. For Holy writ prescribes the end where every knee to Christ will bend.
All roads lead to God, they say; it’s true you Saints and sinners. For by the blood of Jesus Christ we’re known losers or winners.
All roads lead to God they say, but not all roads are equal. The humble walk the narrow way, aware the only prize is Jesus-paid.
Will you come? Or turn away? In Christ alone, be saved this day. Both wide and narrow roads will meet, though briefly, at the judgment seat. I’ll meet my King upon His throne. You dare not come in flesh and bone. The only pass to streets of gold is faith in Jesus, boldly told.
All roads lead to God they say. It’s up for grabs. Find your own way. Beware! All journeys find One Door, Jesus Christ forevermore. God’s Kingdom of Heaven with glories in store – though only through Christ’s death was the holy veil torn.
All roads lead to God they say, and there the road will split. “Well done, my faithful servants,” but the rest doomed to the pit.