Have you ever been confronted with the statement, “There are many paths to heaven”?  As followers of Jesus Christ, we can respond with confidence: there is only one way to heaven.

The truth of God’s Word rings out loud and true.  Jesus Himself claims, “No one comes to the Father except through me” [John 14:6].

What shall we do with this claim?  C.S. Lewis suggested that Jesus Christ is either a liar, a lunatic, or the Lord of lords.  Throughout His life, Jesus was confronted in several situations where he could have lied–but instead proved his honesty.  The case for Jesus Christ’s authenticity is backed up by His resurrection.  Every other religious figure in history has died and is buried somewhere: Jesus’ tomb is the only one with a vacancy sign.

The only claim left is that Jesus Christ is Lord.  When we share our faith, we can boldly proclaim the truth of God’s Word.  And the salvation offered to us through Jesus Christ is the only thing we need to spend eternity with Him.

When someone asks us to physically describe heaven and hell, how should we respond?

First, heaven is a very real place.  In Revelation, John tells us, “the Holy City…shone with the glory of God, and its brilliance was like that of a very precious jewel” [Revelation 21:10,11].  In heaven, we will spend eternity in the presence of the Lord.  There will be no more sadness, pain, or sin.  Instead, there will be singing, worship, and service to God.

Then there’s hell.  Most of what we know about hell comes from the lips of Jesus Christ Himself, and it’s no laughing matter.  Jesus describes hell as the place where “the fire never goes out” [Mark 9:43] and where “the worm does not die, and the fire is not quenched” [verse 48].  He hardly could have painted a worse picture.

The truth about both heaven and hell can be a very positive motivator.  When we share our faith with others, we are part of God’s rescue plan to snatch individuals from misery with no end and share with them the glory of an eternal paradise with God.

Sometimes it’s hard to believe God can be close when we feel as if He’s far away.  But the Bible tells us that God is our Father and He loves us.  So how do we explain this personal relationship with someone who doesn’t know the Lord?

First, Christianity is not about rules.  It’s about relationship.  When we admit our sin and ask for forgiveness through Jesus Christ, we can enter God’s presence and talk with Him, hear from Him, and enjoy the closeness of His company.

Second, God’s Spirit lives inside those who follow Jesus Christ.  Jesus said, “If anyone loves me . . . my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him” [John 14:23].

When we trust Christ, we receive a new nature born of God’s Holy Spirit, who comes to live within us.

God isn’t just a guiding spirit up in the sky somewhere.  He is a Father and friend whose Spirit lives inside us and with whom we can have an intimate, loving relationship.  The world needs to know this truth–now more than ever!

Many people today wonder, “Is the Bible really true?”  The answer is a resounding, “Yes!”

The Bible is one of the most well-documented manuscripts in history.  Most of the books of the New Testament were probably written within 35 years of the events they relate.  If the writers had tried to pull the wool over their readers’ eyes, there were plenty of eyewitnesses still living who could have said, “That’s not what happened!”

The apostle Peter was well aware of the influence of eyewitnesses.  In Acts 10:37, he said to his listeners, “You know what has happened throughout Judea . . . How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth . . . We are witnesses of everything he did.”

The Bible was not written simply to appease those who believe in Jesus Christ.  The Bible is a historically accurate and well-documented collection of inspired writing–a unified witness to God’s remarkable presence in this world.  So the next time someone asks us about the Bible’s reliability, let’s answer with confidence.  God’s Word is true yesterday, today, and forever.