One of the hardest things some people have in understanding God is the question often asked; “is there really just ONE church”? Some people consider you and I bullies, cultists, egotists, and partially insane who think Christ is married to just ONE church, that only those in that ONE church have a chance of gaining that eternal home. They think God UNFAIR and we His children irrational and a little beside themselves who take His Word as our proof for this belief, after all “surely not ALL the people in ______ denomination are lost, are they?” These fair-minded, people loving kind are heard to say; “My cousin is a ‘good man’ and surely God will not send him to Hell just because he does not see the scriptures as you, will He?” I warn you our reply is often mighty disturbing. But, let me invite you into a conversation that occurred on this exact subject and you see the ploys of Satan and the answers to their questions.
“My best friend is a good woman, she has been in the Baptist Church all her life; if there is anyone who is better that she, I do not know them.” Answer: “Is she good enough to burn in Hell for eons of endless existence with you by her side?? Is she better than Jesus Christ, He was brash enough to claim, ‘I am the way, the truth, and the life, NO MAN cometh to the Father, but by Me.’ He will died for you, He will call you in death; He said ‘He that believes and is baptized shall be saved’!! Do you not consider her life as one which every day calls Jesus Christ a liar? (Oh, I forgot that is unkind by those who do not study God’s Word and want to FEEL GOOD!!) Question: “Jesus would NEVER have been so unkind as to have said something like this, let alone have such come from His lips”!!, they contend. “My cousin just does not like the Church of Christ’ doctrine; are you sure you are justified in making the above statements, will you not run us away from the Church of Christ by making such statements, you are not much like Christ, are you? This seems so hard-hearted and judgmental”!! Answer: “Now wait a minute, you have picked on the best friend I have ever had in my life, Jesus Christ, you have called into question His motives, and you expect me not to defend Him?? When did your cousin get better, smarter, more qualified to know what MUST BE DONE than the written document called the Bible? How can you justify taking his word for something AGAINST the inspired Word of God? If he is that good, he will be too good to go to Heaven, Heaven is for the people Jesus had to die to save, that had to obey what Jesus said for them to do, and who considered it the greatest honor of their existence when Jesus added them to the Church of Christ!! Why should you be so concerned about every-ones feelings but Jesus, the God of Heaven and Earth?? Did this cousin you are so considerate of die for you? If he did, that is sad, his death will not make any difference in your soul’s station in eternity; but this Jesus—His death has made ALL the difference!! Are you sure you are choosing the right man to lead you into the shores of timelessness?? I recommend you follow the Man who created EVERYTHING”!!
“Strive to enter in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that findeth it.” Matthew 7:13-14 Question: “My cousin will not attend with me.” Answer: “Will they be with you beyond this life? “For it had been better for you not have known the way of righteousness, that, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them.” 2 Peter 2:21. They will not be with you in Hell, either, your fate will be far worse than theirs, you cannot win by your standards, only Jesus can win.
