Contemplating God seems like a good thing. Philosophers from the beginning of time realized the innate human yearning for something beyond the self. Anselm famously observed that “if you think of the one thing greater than the greatest thing you can imagine, that’s God.” The true God, Yahweh, certainly fits that portrayal. His nature of three persons – one God defies human reason. We need a way to reach this God, who is Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

Thankfully, he gives clear direction in the Bible. When the disciple, Thomas pondered this question (John 14:5), Jesus responded clearly and succinctly. “Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” (John 14:6 (ESV)) Jesus is the way to the Father in heaven. Literally, the place of heaven people desire to go, rather than the alternative of hell.

The way is more than knowing Jesus as your Savior. It’s knowing that sin against God must be reconciled. That only happens when you believe Jesus, son of God, died and rose again for the forgiveness of sins. He’s the only way. It is true – as only God can be true. Truth in the world is ambiguous and fleeting, constantly shifting. But Jesus, who also is “the Word” is truth.

The third identifier: Jesus is “the life.” When a person believes Jesus is the way I described, they have a new life. It is eternal because when they die, they go to heaven.

The world religions and myriad flavors of Christian churches point to many alternative ways, which unfortunately for those that follow them, do not lead to heaven. John 6 and the explanation above are the one, true way.