Biblical Christianity is unique. Every other religion requires a man to contribute something to his eternal destiny in heaven, yet true Christianity following the word of God in proclaiming that mankind cannot contribute anything to merit entrance into heaven. For the Christian, it is through Christ alone that one can enter into eternal life in the new heavens and the new earth. Indeed, Christianity is centered on Christ. The Apostle Paul stressed this truth when he said, "For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified" (1 Corinthians 2:2; ESV). His chief concern for the Church was not to make the world a better place (as good as that would be), but for them to know Christ and what He did for His people. This is the doctrine of Solus Christus or Christ alone. From beginning to end, the Bible is about Christ and His redemption.
As noted in the previous post, the five solas of the Protestant Reformation were doctrines set forth by the Reformers in an attempt to return to biblical Christianity and the teachings found in Scripture. At the time of the Reformation, the Roman Catholic Church taught that in addition to Christ's work, a man must contribute his own good works toward his salvation (e.g., see session six of the Council of Trent, On Justification, Canon XXXII). The Reformers rightly noted that the Bible stresses clearly that it is only through Christ and His work that one is saved; man does not and cannot contribute anything toward his salvation because he is a sinner. It is precisely because man cannot contribute to his salvation that Christ had to come and die on the cross for the sins of His people in order to save them. It is important to note that the Second Person of the Trinity did not have to take to Himself a human nature and save anyone. However, since God determined to save people to Himself there was no other way that this could be accomplished except through Christ's sacrifice. Therein lies the beauty of the gospel message: Christ died for sinners and though He was under no obligation to do so He loved them and died for them because there was no other way to save them. To put it simply, Christ did not have to save anyone, but the only way for God to save sinners was for His Son to take a human nature and die in their place for their sins.
There are many in the world today who think that Christianity is an arrogant religion because it claims that there is no other way to heaven except through Christ. We live in such a pluralistic society that says all roads lead to heaven and Jesus is just one of many ways to get there; to say that Jesus is the only way is not fair since one religion is just as good as another. Sadly, there are many who profess Christianity who believe just as so much of the world does, namely that Jesus is just one way and not the only way. Such thinking is full of problems. First of all the Bible makes it clear that all other religions are false and this means that there cannot be another way to heaven; there is no other god except the Living and True God of the Bible (cf., Deut. 4:35, 39). The only way to heaven is God's way - the Lord Jesus Christ. Jesus Himself declared, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me" (John 14:6). Peter, speaking of Jesus, declared to the Jewish leaders of his day, "there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved" (Acts 4:12). The Bible is clear - the way to heaven is found in Christ alone.
As to the question of fairness, that topic is something people really do not consider carefully enough. Do you really want God to treat you fairly? Think about it for a moment. If God were to treat us all fairly, we would all suffer His holy and just wrath for all eternity because we are sinners. Please note that I am not saying that God is some kind of sadistic despot sitting in heaven waiting to zap someone just for kicks. Yes, I know that God is love, but He is also holy and just. His wrath and punishment that will be poured out is a wrath and punishment that mankind deserves and because He is just, sinners must be punished for their sin and for their guilt; divine justice must be satisfied. Sin is an affront to a thrice holy God. Is it fair that there is only one way to heaven? No, it isn't fair.... it's grace!! I am so very thankful that God does not treat me fairly; I am thankful that God loved sinners enough to save them from the judgment they deserve - sinners like me. I am thankful that God sent His only begotten and beloved Son into this world and poured out His wrath on Him in my place, thus satisfying divine justice. The world at large finds the claims that Christ to be the only way of salvation to be a horrid thing. My friends, here's the reality: it is an amazing, beautiful, loving, and gracious thing that God has provided any way of salvation. This is the good news! There is a way of salvation - a salvation that is found Solus Christus, in Christ alone.
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