'The Way' vs. many ways may be better understood just with this one scripture:

Proverbs 16:25 (AMPL)
There is a way that seems right to a man and appears straight before him, but at the end of it is the way of death.

Many good intentioned, well-meaning ppl have justified their beliefs and behaviors, but usually in 'their own strength!' I believe that is called 'man's own works.' And it is more than obvious that man's own works wont get him to God and in fact usually results in man's pride in self.

Those with good intentions, many being good stewards of God's creation (altho they wont call it God's creation!), are well-meaning such as the environmental fascists and PETA-maniacs, but put the creation before mankind, and in fact will 'kill ppl' for their deep-seated 'noble' beliefs.

Romans 1:25 (AMPL)
Because they exchanged the truth of God for a lie and worshiped and served the creature (or creation) rather than the Creator...

So good intentions and being well-meaning doesnt mean you are on 'the right path!'

I heard some teaching once that tried to make sense out of 'going to heaven' based on the many scenarios of ppl's knowledge of God. Basically it said,
"Those before the Law (or without the laws of Moses) will be judged on 'their conscience.' Those after the Law or with the knowledge of the laws of Moses will be judged by that Law. And those after the Law and with the knowledge and acceptance of the work at the cross will be judged under Grace!"

This makes sense when ppl think about all the ppl in the world that haven't either heard the O.T. Laws or the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

In addition to that line of thought, many 'believers' have come thru the 'ministries of man' and have suffered ship-wrecked faith after those men have fallen (usually from pride or lust), and reject the modern, formal church of today. I have come thru the fall of not only many big-name evangelists, but also local pastors and priests during my walk on this earth, and have come to accept this scripture in keeping my eyes off of man:

Jeremiah 17:5
Thus says the LORD, "Cursed is the man who trusts in mankind.."

I have seen man after man, and woman after woman, fall over time with the pride coming from self and the lusts of the flesh, and DO NOT put my eyes upon man----I do not worship man other than the Son of Man, and even tho highly respecting the Apostle Paul (having written 1/2 the N.T.), I admire that saint, but even he admitted the 'Thorn in the Flesh' that was given him by God (persecutions & afflictions wherever he went--keep reading, folks!) to keep him from elevating himself from the revelations given to him by God.

So, the best advice that I can give newbie Christians and those who have suffered ship-wrecked faith by having their eyes on mankind, is... DONT! And in that respect, you will never be disappointed and will have your eyes on the Son of Man, who is now sitting as the Son of God in His power.

After some digressing, bear with me folks, for here is 'my' bottom line in getting on the path to God: Do you want to be judged under your conscience or your own righteousness, of which the word says that 'all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God;' or by the O.T. Law, which says that 'no flesh will be justified' after the cross (Galatians 2:16 "nevertheless knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the Law but through faith in Christ Jesus, even we have believed in Christ Jesus, so that we may be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the Law; since by the works of the Law no flesh will be justified); or...., take the grace 'Get out of Jail FREE' card, having on 'His robe of Righteousness, and not being judged worthy by our own works?!!'

To me, there is NO option...