Jesus is the only way
“Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. (John 14:6 NIV)
Recently I was speaking to a friend at a coffee shop about knowing God. He said he took great exception to the statement that Jesus is the only way to God. He said this leaves out too many in the world who have never heard of Him such as tribes in Africa and many other people groups around the world. I told him that God is righteous and His ways and judgements are far above our understanding. God is God and we’re not. He is the creator. He knows what we don’t know. And He always judges perfectly. The Bible has a lot to say on the subject.
Salvation is through Jesus only
“Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.” (Acts 4:12)
“I am the gate. If anyone enters through Me, he will be saved.” (John 10:9)
“For through Him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit.” (Eph. 2:18)
What about people who have never heard about Jesus?
“For ever since the world was created, people have seen the earth and sky. Through everything God made, they can clearly see his invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature. So they have no excuse for not knowing God.” (Rom. 1:20 NLT)
“And we know that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding, so that we may know Him who is true; and we are in Him who is true--in His Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life.” (1 John 5:20)
All will acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father
“Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” (Phil. 2:9-11 NIV)
Therefore…
“For just as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, even so the Son also gives life to whom He wishes.” (John 5:21 NASB)