The Right Way 1/24/2014

"So Jesus said to them again, 'Truly, truly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep. All who came before Me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not hear them. I am the door; if anyone enters through Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture.  The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.'" John 10:7-10

If there is one thing we Americans like, it is choice.  We want to have as many options as possible.  Even among these options, we want to have the ability to customize so that our choice would be as unique as possible.  Our choices are a means of self expression and it is not unusual to pursue them vigorously.  Sadly, this is true of our religious preferences as well.  So often we choose religions, denominations and churches based more on how they make the word of God conform to us than how they help us conform to the word of God.  And while this is not about what denomination or church is "right," there is a right way.

Jesus spoke thousands of years ago about the motives of those who would come to lead God's people. Many of them were false teachers, false prophets and leaders with questionable motives.  It is these he refers to as thieves.   Paul addresses the "believer's" side of this same coin when he says, "For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires, and will turn away their ears from the truth and will turn aside to myths" 2 Timothy 4:3-5.

Beloved, it is critical that we find the right way and stay in it.  There is one voice and one truth that believers must recognize and follow.  Far above and beyond the voice of an earthly minister, teacher, elder or theologian, we must draw near to the voice of the Lord.  Consider this: "God, after He spoke long ago to the fathers in the prophets in many portions and in many ways,  in these last days has spoken to us in His Son, whom He appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the world," Hebrews 11:1-2.  In Matthew 17:5, we are literally instructed by God to listen to Jesus, His own son in whom He is well pleased. Finally, Jesus says of himself, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through me," John 14:6.

There are many voices and many paths but there is only one that leads to salvation and the eternal life that it provides.  Choose the right way.

One,

Lee