Today’s Post By: Rae Lynn DeAngelis
In one of my study groups, we were dissecting a passage from the book of Acts, which narrates Saul’s conversion to Christianity. While we read through Acts 9:1-22, one of the girls in our class pointed out the irony of the street’s name where Ananias would find “the man from Tarsus called Saul”. The Lord told Ananias that he would find Saul at the house of Judas on Straight Street.
Surely God has a sense of humor.
Before his encounter with Jesus, Saul persecuted Christians. As a Jew and scholar of the Torah, Paul was zealous for God, but it just goes to show that a person can be very zealous for God, yet still be barreling down the wrong path. Sadly, many in the world today believe there is more than one way to get to heaven. They are under the false impression that being a good person is enough, or perhaps they believe that it doesn’t matter if you believe in Hinduism, Buddhism, Christian Science, or the Muslim religion – that all ways point to eternal life.
All ways point to eternal life all right—eternal life in heaven or eternal life in hell. There is no grey area here. It’s one or the other. Just because a person believes something is true, doesn’t make it so. Christians have the very words of God to back up what we believe – God’s Word is truth!
According to God’s Word, there is only one way to eternal life in heaven – Jesus Christ.
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16)
“Jesus answered, ‘I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.’” (John 14:6)
Thankfully Saul, who later became Paul, finally learned this truth. He then went on to write more books of the New Testament than any other author. He believed it! He lived it! And then he shared it with others.
“The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.” (2 Peter 3:9).
Through His encounter with Jesus on the road to Damascus, Saul discovered the path leading to Straight Street. You and I are on the straight street too if we accept the free gift of salvation through God’s one and only Son. We cannot earn it. We cannot pay for it. We can only accept it as it is—a free gift. Once we accept this amazing gift and Jesus is Lord of over our lives, we have a one way ticket to eternal life in heaven.
Take the straight street and never doubt – Jesus is the only way!
Lord, if anyone reading this today has not yet accepted Your free gift of salvation, then I pray they would do it today. You have a wonderful place prepared in heaven for each of Your children who accept your invitation and call you Lord of their life. You want all to be with you one day. This life is temporary, but what comes next is eternal. Thank you, LORD, for your Son Jesus!
