Have you ever talked with a friend, a stranger, or a neighbor about church and the Lord? The conversation may sound something like this: The one you are talking to says, “I’m such-and-such religion, so I’m good.” But the conversation continues.
“Could I put that into perspective for you?” you ask politely. He nods.
“Let’s say you are playing baseball. You are on Cee’s team and another player is on Bee’s team. The rules of the Baseball Handbook are the same whether you are on Cee’s team or Bee’s team. Cee’s team is up to bat. The batter hits a ground ball; the short stop snatches the ball and wails it to the first baseman who catches it a split second before the runner stamps the base. The umpire shouts the call jerking a thumb over his shoulder. “Out!”
It wouldn’t matter if the batter were from Bee’s team or Cee’s team. The player is out because that’s a rule of baseball – if the first baseman catches the ball before the runner tags the base, he’s out.
“So what does that have to do with church?” your conversationalist asks.
“Glad you asked, ” you say. “There are many different churches, right?” Your friend nods. 
“Churches, no matter what denomination, can’t make up their own rules either. They have to go by the Book. God is the One who authored Heaven’s Handbook, also known as the Bible, so it stands to reason, He has the authority to set the perimeters for the game of life. When Heaven’s Handbook clearly specifies the means to eternity in heaven is by grace through faith in His son, Jesus Christ, there is no other way.”
Mr. Skeptic frowns.
“Let me ask it another way,” you say. “Do you think a baseball player who runs to second base, bypassing first base, can flagrantly ignore the rules of the Baseball Handbook that states the runner must touch first base before continuing to second base? Of course not! It’s the same with Heaven’s Handbook. Anything added to the Gospel such as good works, or being a good person, or belonging to a certain denomination is like a baseball player running around the bases twice in order to score an additional run. That would be ridiculous!”
Mr. Dubious acknowledges the validity of that analogy.
“The same holds true for anything short of the Gospel, such as not having faith, can be compared to the baseball player who hits a home run, but does not run the bases. He simply stands at home plate swinging his bat back and forth. He would not score a run. That is equally as preposterous. Doesn’t it make sense that man cannot add to or subtract from Heaven’s Handbook and think he is going to do it his way to get to heaven? If he thinks he can, he’s out! He will never make it to home plate which in this scenario represents heaven. The life-game player who does not abide by Heaven’s Handbook is out just like the baseball player who plays the game making up his own rules is out.”
Your friend nods slowly as he gets it.
“What are you doing Sunday?” you ask.