True or false:
All paths lead to God. False.
Any path can lead to God. True.
It all depends on which end of the path you are looking from.
True or false:
All paths that lead to God have to go through Jesus. True.
Therefore, there is only one path to God. False.
There are as many paths to God as there are people who find Jesus.
Everybody’s path is different. Some paths go through fundamentalism and end up with Jesus. Some paths go through Catholicism and end up with Jesus. Some paths go through Islam and end up finding Jesus. Some paths go through Buddhism and end up finding Jesus. Some paths go through atheism and end up with Jesus. Some paths go through Mormonism and end up with Jesus. All paths that get to God go through Jesus, but you can start from anywhere. God is fully capable of drawing those who are His from anywhere. And He does.
It isn’t necessary to convince someone to change paths. We don’t have to carry around WRONG WAY signs to flash in front of people.
There is no such thing as a wrong path; there is only the path you are on, and it is not necessary to get someone off the path they are on, and onto the “right” one. It’s only necessary to point people to Jesus. Anyone should be able to see Jesus from just about anywhere. Especially if they are truly looking for God. The point is to point people in the direction of Christ from wherever they are.
Christians as well as people from other religions, cults, or no religion, who are truly seeking God, will find Jesus. Christians and people from other religions, cults, or no religion, who are not really seeking God, will not find Jesus. They will just be satisfied with religion or their own way.
John Fischer The Catch 
As a great songwriter once said, “Jesus is the only way, but there’s more than one way to Jesus.”
This is so true! I use this argument when folks cry about God not being “allowed” in schools. Oh, God is there! Of course He is. Just as Jesus is on every path we take. I love the phrase about not holding up “Wrong Way” signs. As we all know from being human, when someone says “no” or “wrong way”, we immediately want to try it out and see for ourselves!
Amen John, We need to actually believe that God loves us and that His Holy Spirit is alive and calling us all of our lives. God is bigger than we are, or the boxes that we try to put God in. Peace to you!
This is kind of a Catch 22: God can save someone, regardless of the path they’re on; but God has a divine plan for all of us, which determines our path. It goes back to the whole free will vs God’s sovereignty thing. Who am I to say that you’re on the wrong path; yet, if you’re murdering, raping and pillaging, I can pretty much discern that you’re on the wrong path.
Our problem is that we live in a culture where sin is subtle: pride, control, impure thoughts, etc. If I start looking in you’re closet for sin, you’re going to look in mine, and I don’t want that. But if this were the Old West, and you were robbing trains and killing innocent women and children, dang right I’d look in your closet.
We don’t want to offend the sinner in our subtle, isolationist culture. Don’t step on my toes and I won’t step on yours is our mantra. But what about Syria? What about Egypt? What about countries where sin is not so subtle, not so isolationist.
We cannot afford to stay out of each other’s lives. If you would like to watch a wonderful movie that shows the importance of getting involved in other people’s lives, regardless of the path they’re on, rent “Good Morning, Mr. Tom,” a BBC Masterpiece Theatre production. It nails the importance of stepping on a few toes and grabbing some folks off the paths they’re on. It’s a matter of life and death, folks.
I’m sorry. The title is “Good Night, Mr. Tom.” Somebody pull me off my path! 🙂
Hmmm, seems to me PAUL was on a rather murderous path when God got to him…God has no limits, no boundaries, and He knows RIGHT where to find us at any time (Psalm 139). However, Waitsel, you are right, we CAN’T stay out of the lives of others – it’s how and when we intervene that is key. I love what John Wesley said: “Do all the good you can. By all the means you can. In all the ways you can. In all the places you can. At all the times you can. To all the people you can. As long as ever you can.”
I have never heard this before but I like it! I’ve been having a very difficult week filled with doubts about myself and having a mean spirited horrible aethiest neighbour right next apt unit to me and she is just tearing me apart and tearing me down and I am fighting hard just to survive. I have been reading The Catch but this force of evil is extremely strong and I don’t know what to do. I was ready to pack up and move at the first good offer but I won’t give in to the fear. Can anyone out there please pray for me. I am waiting to retrain with another Guide Dog for the Blind and have hope for my future and had a welcome home from God Himself through an issue of the Catch in July and then this bit of bother seems to come near and crush me. This is off topic but I am feeling very much alone and pretty deserate.
My prayers are certainly with you, Meaghan-Margaret! John and Marti have my email and phone # and you are welcome to call or write any time you need someone to stand in the gap with you!
NOTE to J &M: Please send my contact info to Meaghan-Margaret.
Maeghan-Margharet – We don’t like troubles, but God allows them on our path to bring us closer to Him, because, when trouble comes, we begin to seek Him more, more intensely, in prayer, trying to hear His voice, consulting the Bible, etc. (see James 1:2-8).
Important also is to “bless those who persecute you” – and give everything in the hands of the Lord:
“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus” (Ephesians 4:6-7).
Also Jesus tells us not to worry.
You might also want to read Romans 12:17-21 (“overcome evil with good”).
Especially in times of trouble, we need to be firm in the faith
and trust God and Him alone, to deliver us.
Remember, Christ, who for us conquered sin and death, that victorious Christ, is with all believers through His Spirit of life eternal.
Hope you’re frequenting a good church where you can get support and people praying for you.
I’m sure the Catch brothers and sisters will also be praying for you. I will.
Blessings, Hans.
Oh, and Mark 4:35-41…
Canadian author John White: “Signposts, not Salesmen.” (a chapter in his book, The Fight).