Are All Religions Paths to Reach God?

At a recent gathering of young people in Singapore, Pope Francis stated that all religions are paths to reach God. . . . They are like different languages in order to arrive at God, but God is God for everyone. . . . Since God is God for all, then we are all children of God.

“If you start to fight—“My religion is more important than yours; mine is true and yours isn’t”—then where will that lead us? . . . There is only one God, and each of us has a language to reach God. Some are Sikh, some Muslim, Hindu, Christian. And they are all paths to God.”

With this in mind,

What should our attitude be towards our associates who belong to non-Christian religions? Our attitude should be the same as God’s attitude. In John 3:16 we read:

"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life."

God not only loved the world—all humankind, but He "so loved" them that He gave his only begotten son to die for them that they might obtain eternal life.

Christian Scripture, the New Testament, clearly states the terms of salvation. The door to salvation from Adamic condemnation and death, pronounced back in Eden, is faith in Jesus’ sacrifice. Thus we read in I Corinthians 15:22—"As in Adam all die (we were all born with inherited sin) even so in Christ shall all be made alive." "The wages of sin is death: The gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ the Lord." Romans 6:23

Apostle Peter speaking of Jesus said in Acts 4:12, "There is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved." No matter how noble our works, we are at best "unprofitable servants." Only faith that Jesus died for our sins will save us from Adamic death. This is confirmed by Paul’s words (Romans 5:18):

"Therefore as by the offense of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation: even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life."

Our non-Christian associates might react—This sounds narrow-minded. Think of all the non-Christians who have never accepted or have never even heard the name of Jesus as the only way to salvation. Over the past centuries it numbers into the billions. Does this mean that these billions are lost? This is indeed a valid question which deserves an answer.

All non-Christian religions believe eternal life is obtained by noble works decreed in their respective scriptures. But the conclusions from the Judeo-Christian scriptures quoted above declares that noble works are not enough, instead, a faith in Jesus is the only way to salvation. If you would like to learn more about this important topic we offer the online booklet: https://www.bibletoday.com/booklets/samegod_text.htm. Click on this link to start reading now!