MAY 18, John 14:6

“But we know lots of good people,” argued Dan one day. He and his sister Darcy were talking to their cousin Joel. “We know many people who are of different religions, or go to different churches and have different beliefs about salvation. Perhaps being sincere is all that is necessary.”

“That’s not what the Bible says,” replied Joel. “It says only people who trust in Jesus will go to Heaven.” “Well, I can’t believe our friends won’t be there. They’re nice people,” insisted Darcy.

That night, Darcy heard groaning coming from Dan’s room. She went to see what was wrong. “O-o-oh,” moaned Dan, “my stomach! What can I do?”

“You overate at dinner like I did,” Darcy said, “but I took some of the pink medicine when I got ready for bed. Why don’t you take some, too? It’s on the counter in the bathroom.”

Still sleepy and in pain, Dan headed for the bathroom, found a bottle on the counter, and took a spoonful. Then he tried to sleep again, but soon gave up. He called his sister. “I think that medicine made me worse,” he told her.

“Did you take the pink stuff?” Darcy asked. “Pink stuff?” Dan groaned. “I think it was white. It was on the counter, just like you said.” Darcy quickly checked the bathroom counter and saw that what Dan had taken was hand lotion. She called her mom and explained what had happened. “I don’t think it will do much harm, Dan,” said mom, “but we’ll check with the doctor to make sure.”

Dan was very thoughtful the next day. “Now I know what you mean about people missing the way to Heaven even though they’re sincere,” he told Joel on the phone. “I really thought that the stuff I took last night would make me feel better, but it didn’t do a bit of good.” He sighed. “I can see that it’s silly to think it doesn’t matter what you believe as long as you’re sincere about it.”

“Yes, it is,” agreed Joel. “You were sincerely wrong about the medicine, weren’t you? That was bad enough, but it’s worse to be sincerely wrong about the way to Heaven. Jesus is the one and only way.”

Thought: Do you think it doesn’t matter what religion you practise or what set of beliefs you follow?

Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank You for the reminder that the only way to Heaven is through the Lord Jesus Christ. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.