To many places, there are many ways, each of which leads to the same point. This is the case in many events that occur in our world. Some ways are shorter than the rest, but all still end up at the same place. This is not the case with the kingdom of God. To eternal life, there is only one way. As promised unto our fathers in the past, that single way was revealed unto mankind over two thousand years ago. That way is no other one but Jesus. It is important to note that Jesus Christ is not a shortcut to the kingdom of God but the only way that leads to it. Other ways, religions and philosophies, no matter how promising they maybe and irrespective of the zeal and will put into it, it will certainly end up in total destruction and misery. Such is what we witness at present. I feel so sorry when I behold both young and old men and women, striving hard to attain perfection but neglecting the very way to eternity. These are poor, wretched souls who choose to deprive themselves of the pleasure of the lusts of the world, but blindly, they still end up being deprived of the joy of the Lord. Such is an unfruitful attempt to mortify the body without the presence of the living spirit of God, therefore, they die daily in ignorance thinking they are on the right course. Self- righteousness is the act of abstaining from sin without first crucifying your sinful body to the cross of the Lord Jesus Christ. No matter how promising such act of self-righteousness maybe, the fellow is still confined within darkness and no form of mortification of sin(to kill sin) will be able to give him any light. It is much more better when a man is in darkness and he is well aware of it, therefore, he is likely to search for the light diligently and when he has found it, he becomes free. However, it is utter destruction and devastation, when a man is outside the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ, but having attempted to mortify his sins through abstinence from lust and hatred, he strongly believes that he is in the light, but while he is still deeply rooted in darkness, he is ignorant and does not make any attempt to search for the true light. The salvation promised unto us by God was that of faith and not of works, the mortification of sin is secondary after the acceptance of Jesus Christ as the only Lord and saviour. For a man or woman is confined in sin, if such be not a Christian, the very first step would not be mortification of sin but believing in Jesus Christ as the only Lord and saviour, having full faith in Him and submitting ourselves to the will of His Holy Spirit. Only then can a man or woman be set on the path to eternal life. The very difference between a philosopher and preacher is the sum of what is being stated in this context. A preacher of the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ helps to bring people into the light of salvation, allowing the Holy Spirit to guide their lives , after which he sets them on course to true mortification of sin(KILLING SIN), therefore, they are able to come to the knowledge of the truth. However, the philosophers in their own little wisdom which they pride over that of their creator, rather than first teach men and women to embrace the light. What they simply do is to teach people how to mortify sin, and these being blind men and women, once they are able to separate from what they consider to be sinful, they rejoice in their foolishness, proclaiming to have been saved, not realizing that there is no other salvation anywhere except the salvation of the Lord Jesus Christ. Philosophy in this respect without first accepting Christ as the only Lord and saviour becomes a tool to blind men from the truth and make them think they are free when actually they are still within the confines of darkness. This assertion is affirmed by many biblical contexts, some of which will be mentioned here. Apostle Paul spoke concerning this in
2 Timothy 3:7 Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.
8 Now as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, reprobate concerning the faith.
If any will disagree with these assertions, let him/her consider this, if salvation were by self-righteousness and philosophy which often excludes the acceptance of the Lord Jesus Christ as the only Lord and saviour, why should Cornelius have been required to believe in the Lord Jesus Christ. Cornelius was a just man that completely abstained from sin. Both he and his house lived a life worthy of emulation. Philosophy would view a man as these as being perfect in all areas. He obeyed the law at all times and was able to mortify sin, however none of these things could save him. He gave to the poor but that was not able to help him. He was not actually doing what he was supposed to do. Therefore, God had mercy upon him and showed him what he was supposed to do, As written in Acts 10:
1 There was a certain man in Caesarea called Cornelius, a centurion of the band called the Italian band,
2 A devout man, and one that feared God with all his house, which gave much alms to the people, and prayed to God alway.
3 He saw in a vision evidently about the ninth hour of the day an angel of God coming in to him, and saying unto him, Cornelius.
4 And when he looked on him, he was afraid, and said, What is it, Lord? And he said unto him, Thy prayers and thine alms are come up for a memorial before God.
5 And now send men to Joppa, and call for one Simon, whose surname is Peter:
6 He lodgeth with one Simon a tanner, whose house is by the sea side: he shall tell thee what thou oughtest to do.
Observing the last verse, 6, it is seen that God directed Cornelius to send for Peter who would tell Cornelius what he ought to do, and that thing was to accept Jesus Christ of Nazareth as the only Lord and Saviour. All what he had being doing were not what he needed at that time, but God, in his infinite mercies opened his eyes and made him to know what exactly he was supposed to be doing. In the world today, there are many like Cornelius, who are subject to Philosophy, hoping by that, they would make the world a better place to live in, but except they are saved through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, all their efforts are in vain.
The sum of all that is discussed here is this, Jesus Christ is the only way to the kingdom of God and no philosophy or religion can be used to substitute the light of Jesus Christ in the life of anyone. Let all Philosophers realize that their philosophies no matter how much it is in accordance with the word of God, is only useful to those who have already done the first thing they ought to do, which is, accepting Jesus Christ as the only Lord and Saviour.
To everyone who has not yet accepted the gospel of Christ. I want you to know that Jesus Christ Loves you, in Him is light and anytime you give your life to Him, he would bless your soul with everything you need and at the end of the world. You will be accepted with Joy into the kingdom of God. The Kingdom of God is at hand, give your life to Jesus today.
John 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
2Thess. 2:9 Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders,
10 And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.
11 And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie:
12 That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.
13 But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth:
14 Whereunto he called you by our gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.
15 Therefore, brethren, stand fast, and hold the traditions which ye have been taught, whether by word, or our epistle.
16 Now our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God, even our Father, which hath loved us, and hath given us everlasting consolation and good hope through grace
17 Comfort your hearts, and stablish you in every good word and work.
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