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"Man, that
is born of a woman, is of few days, and full of trouble."
(Job 14:1)
These words,
spoken thousands of years ago, express the sentiment of millions
living today. Now, however, there is a way out - Jesus Christ.
He said of Himself, "I am the way, the truth, and the
life." (John 14:6)
To everything
that is truly good, both in this life and in the life to come,
Jesus Christ is the Way.
FINDING
JESUS, THE WAY
Following Jesus
as "the way" involves more than just praising Him with
our lips. He said,
"But why do
you call Me `Lord, Lord,' and do not do the things which I
say?" (Luke 6:46)
"If you
abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall
know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." (John
8:31-32)
The life and
teaching of Jesus are found in the first four books of the New
Testament -- Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. Other books of the
New Testament are also the teaching of Jesus, for He revealed it
by the Holy Spirit through men like Peter and Paul. Paul wrote:
"If anyone
thinks himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him
acknowledge that the things which I write to you are the
commandments of the Lord." (1 Corinthians 14:37)
Following Jesus
as the way, therefore, requires a careful study of the New
Testament and a determined effort to live as it directs.
JESUS,
THE WAY TO A BETTER LIFE
Jesus stated His
purpose in coming to earth in the following words:
"...I have
come that they may have life, and that they may have it more
abundantly." (John 10:10)
Jesus provides
this better life by offering the solution to the problems that
make life difficult -- guilt, self-pity and fear. He does not
promise wealth or luxury, but He does assure us of a loving
Father in Heaven who cares for His children and will provide the
things they truly need.
"Therefore
do not worry, saying, `What shall we eat?' or `What shall we
drink?' or `What shall we wear?' For after all these things the
Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all
these things. But seek first the kingdom of God and His
righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you."
(Matt. 6:31-33)
The happiest
people in the world are those who have most completely committed
themselves to following Jesus as the way.
"...Though
now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy
inexpressible and full of glory." (1 Peter 1:8)
JESUS,
THE WAY TO FORGIVENESS OF SINS
Sin is a more
serious threat to our well-being than any physical, economic or
social danger that we face. Yet, all of us are guilty of sin and
we are helpless on our own to remove its stain. Sin is a
violation of God's Law and only God can forgive it. He has made
provision for our forgiveness through Jesus.
"In Him we
have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins,
according to the riches of His grace." (Ephesians 1:7)
"Who
Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we,
having died to sins, might live for righteousness - by whose
stripes you were healed." (1 Peter 2:24)
After His
sacrifice for us, Jesus explained how those who are lost in sin
can have remission of sins and be saved.
"...Thus it
is written, and thus it was necessary for the Christ to suffer
and to rise from the dead the third day, and that repentance and
remission of sins should be preached in His name to all nations,
beginning at Jerusalem." (Luke 24:46-47)
"He who
believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not
believe will be condemned." (Mark 16:16)
JESUS,
THE WAY TO GOD
Lost people need
more than forgiveness of sins. They need to be restored to that
close union with God which they lost by their sin. In sending
Jesus into the world --
"...God was
in Christ reconciling the world to Himself..." (2
Corinthians 5:19)
Jesus stated
that one can reach God only through Him. He said:
"I am the
way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except
through Me."(John 14:6)
JESUS,
THE WAY OUT OF RELIGIOUS CONFUSION
Many who wish to
follow Christ are repelled by the multitude of churches and the
conflicting doctrines taught by those who profess to be
Christians. One does not have to be a part of this confusion.
Jesus did not approve of it.
In Matthew 16:18
Jesus promised:
"And I also
say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My
church..."
We read of the
beginning of His church in Acts, chapter 2.
"...And the
Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved."
(Acts 2:47)
The Lord is
still adding those who are being saved to His church. If we are
saved, we are in His church and united with all others who are
in it.
"There is
one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of
your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and
Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you
all." (Ephesians 4:4-6)
It is good for
us to worship and work with other saved individuals who are
bound with us in Christ by these unifying ties. But if we join
another body (denomination), accept another lord (religious
authority), or adhere to another faith (creed), we are leaving
the unity for which Jesus prayed in John 17:20-21.
"I do not
pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me
through their word; that they all may be one, as You, Father,
are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that
the world may believe that You sent Me."
JESUS,
THE WAY TO HEAVEN
"It is
appointed for men to die once, but after this the
judgment." (Hebrews 9:27)
Death is the
door, both to heaven and to hell. To die in Jesus is to die in
the way to heaven.
"Then I
heard the voice from heaven saying to me, 'Write: Blessed are
the dead who die in the Lord from now on.' 'Yes,' says the
Spirit, 'that they may rest from their labors, and their works
follow them'." (Revelation 14:13)
"Blessed
are those who do His commandments, that they may have the right
to the tree of life, and may enter through the gates into the
city." (Revelation 22:14)
CAN
YOU ANSWER THESE QUESTIONS?
Please take out
your Bible and look up the passages cited below, then answer the
questions.
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© 2000 for church of Christ, Oroville, Ca. All rights reserved.
Last revised:
February 22, 2007 . |
