Military Devotion – The Only Way In – May 1, 2026

Last week I had a meeting at the Pentagon in Washington, D.C. Someone asked me, “How were you able to get into the Pentagon for a meeting?” I had to have someone vouch for me. Someone set up the visitor background security form for me to fill out. Someone else had to agree to serve as my escort once I passed through security in the building. There was only one way into the Pentagon and that was through someone else.  

As I reflected on this, I was reminded of the words of Jesus, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6). It’s one thing to gain access to a highly secure military building for a meeting, but it’s quite another thing to gain access to a holy God and to live in his presence and peace for all eternity. Jesus says that he is the only way in.   

I still struggle with conversations I have with friends, neighbors and complete strangers who firmly believe that there cannot be just one way to eternal life after death. I hear things like, “All religions basically are leading to the same place, aren’t they? They all want to get you to the same place. It’s just different ways of getting there.” 

Look at the major religions of the world – let’s look at Islam and Christianity. Both claim to be exclusive. Both claim to be the only way. One is very clear – you must follow the five pillars, the teachings and practices, to the best of your ability, and perhaps Allah will have mercy on you when you die. There isn’t much certainty or hope, but it is the only way.  

Christianity also claims exclusivity. But when we listen to Jesus’ words, he says that the only way to the Father is through him, to believe in him as the truth and the life. He is exclusive, but he is also inclusive, for he says that this is for all who believe and trust in him. Both Islam and Christianity can’t be right. Both can’t be exclusive. It must be one or the other.  

Even as Christians we struggle with exclusivity, that salvation is only through faith in Christ. The reason for this is that we are all naturally predisposed to this belief that we must contribute something, to add our faithfulness, our goodness, the way we treat others with love and respect – these must count for something and help sway God’s judgment in our favor.  

Jesus’ words toss all of our efforts and striving into the trash. He says to us, “These don’t count, and they cannot count for anything toward your eternity. It must be through me and me alone. I am the only one who has lived a perfectly faithful life, the perfectly good life, perfectly loving in the way I treated others, and that counts for all. That is the free gift for all, my gift to you.” 

And to prove that Jesus’ way is the only way? He rose from the dead. He gets the final say. And thank God! Jesus lives to be the only way to heaven for you. Believe it. Trust it.