Choosing the Way

KEY VERSE: “I am the way, the truth and the life, no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” —John 14:6

SELECTED SCRIPTURE: John 14:1-4

BEFORE THE TIME came to provide the ransom from sin and death, God showed by his dealings with the nation of Israel the impossibility of any of the fallen race walking in the way of life through their own efforts. He showed this by giving Israel his Law. Not only did God give them the Law, but he made with Israel, through Moses as the mediator, what we speak of as the Law Covenant. God promised Israel certain things if the people would do in return certain other things—offering them the reward of life for perfect obedience. But every honest-hearted Israelite was forced to say as the Apostle Paul wrote, “The commandment which was ordained to life, I found to be unto death.”—Rom. 7:10

Our human imperfections prevent us from measuring up to the perfect standard of obedience. Hence, as Paul says, “By the deeds of the Law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight.” (Rom. 3:20) The Law Covenant, therefore, brought condemnation to death because Israel could not live up to the covenant obligations into which through Moses they had entered. The coming of Jesus and the giving in sacrifice of his perfect human life, made possible another judgment or trial for life during that day yet future, which God hath appointed, wherein he will judge the world in righteousness.—Acts 17:31

However, for the followers of Jesus now, a “new and living way” to life has been opened up. This is not a way of works, but of faith: a way whereby those who believe that Jesus is God’s Anointed—the Messiah, who has ransomed man from the power of the grave—can make a full consecration to do God’s will. On the basis of this faith and consecration these may be released from the Adamic condemnation and receive the begetting of the Holy Spirit. This starts them in the “new and living way.”—Heb. 10:20

It is a way which really leads to life, bringing life everlasting within reach of all who are called with the “high calling of God in Christ Jesus.” (Phil. 3:14) It is a way of life through sacrificial death. The life provided by Jesus will be obtained through a sacrifice of the flesh and a perfecting as New Creatures in Christ Jesus. Hence Paul says, “The law of the spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.”—Rom. 8:2

With reference to this way of life opened up during the Gospel Age, Jesus said, “I am the way.” (John 14:6) Peter said, “Christ also suffered leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps.” (I Pet. 2:21, RSV) In view of the very high standard required of the followers of Jesus, it is not surprising that the Master should describe this way to life as a narrow one which few find, and in which fewer still care to walk.—Matt. 7:14

It is indeed a good way, a way which brings wonderful rest of heart and mind to those able to see and walk in it. Having heard the Lord’s voice directing us through his Word, saying, “This is the way, walk ye in it” (Isa. 30:21), let us steadfastly resist every temptation to turn aside from the way of the Lord.

With reference to God’s help and blessing given to his people, typical Israel, along the way to the typical Land of Promise, we read, “Behold, I send an angel before thee, to keep thee in they way, and to bring thee into the place which I have prepared.” (Exod. 23:20) Of spiritual Israel, walking the way of life to the promised heavenly inheritance, we read, “The angel of the Lord encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them.” (Ps. 34:7) Again concerning the angels of the heavenly host, we are asked: “Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be the heirs of salvation?”—Heb. 1:14

And that we might continually have the Lord’s providences over and around us, we are exhorted to pray in the words of the psalmist, “Lead me, O Lord in thy righteousness because of mine enemies; make thy way straight before my face.” With the passing beyond the veil of the last members of the church, the broad way leading to destruction will disappear from the earth, and a highway to life will be opened up to the world. Speaking of the glorious light of the new dispensation when the knowledge of the Lord will fill the earth, the Revelator says, “The nations … shall walk in the light of it.” (Rev. 21:24) This is the same thing as walking in the way of the Lord and is described by Isaiah as ‘an highway’, the ‘way of holiness’ the way which leads back to human perfection and everlasting life. (Isa. 35:8) The apostle said—and his words will be as true of the world in the next age as they are of the church today—“If we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ, his Son, cleanseth us from all sin.”—I John 1:7

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