I am a carpenter in the building trade and work with a crew on different types of commercial buildings.
We work with the interior walls and ceiling construction.
Now, the buildings we work on have been engineered and designed by an architect. When we go out to a job site we are given a set of plans which the architect has drawn to tell us where to locate the walls and ceilings.
What if we were to disregard those plans altogether and go about it the way we thought would be best? What if we decided to move a wall a few feet to one side, or to raise or lower the height of the ceilings? How long do you think we would keep our jobs?
Not very long, I can tell you! And how very disrespectful it would be to the architect who drew the plans.
This reminds me of the way people are trying to get to heaven. They have their own plans, and are trying to get there in their own way, disregarding God's plan. One man told me that getting to heaven is "just like driving to Chicago; there are a hundred different ways to get there!"
What does the Lord Jesus, the Son of God, say to that? "I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by ME." John 14:66Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. (John 14:6).
God's plan of salvation is made very clear: it is through Jesus alone we come to the Father.
Jesus said, "I am the WAY." It is not our prayers, our tears, our sincerity, or anything we can do for ourselves. Jesus alone can save. An architect can make mistakes and the plans he draws up may have to be changed at times, but God makes no mistakes. His plan of salvation will not be changed. "Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved." Acts 4:1212Neither 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).
Now, for a carpenter to choose his own way in the layout of those walls will probably cost him his job, but for you to seek your own way to heaven and not God's way will cost you much more. "What shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?" 1 Peter 4:1717For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God? (1 Peter 4:17). Also in Prov. 16:2525There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death. (Proverbs 16:25) we read, "There is a way that seemeth right unto a man; but the end thereof are the ways of death."
Why not follow God's plan? "Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the Lord, and He will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for He will abundantly pardon. For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways, saith the Lord." Isa. 55:7, 87Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the Lord, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon. 8For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord. (Isaiah 55:7‑8).