When you blind fold someone they may think they are walking in a straight line but yet they may be very far from where they should be. Before a person places Christ at the center of their life they are like the blind folded person. They may think that their way is good but it is not. They may think they are on a path to a better life but in reality they are heading straight towards a cliff and utter destruction.
The Path That Leads to Life or Death
The Bible tells us that there is a way that seems right to a man but it ends in death (Proverbs 14:12). They may think they have everything the world has to offer but as we are told, what good is it if you have the whole world and yet lose your soul (Mark 8:36).
Walking in The Way: Finding God’s Path for Your Life
Walking in The Way means finding God's path for your life—a path that is clear in both the Old and New Testaments. What is this Way? From the Old Testament to the New we find that there is Way that is right. Proverbs 12:28 tells us quite plainly that in the path of righteousness is life, not death. When we wander from the Way, the right path, it is God who will make our way straight if we acknowledge Him (Proverbs 3:6). To acknowledge God really means to know Him. And how can we do that?
Growing in Knowledge: Steps to Know God
We grow in knowledge of God when we pray as we ought to, study His word, realize that it is God we can trust, it is He who forgives and He that desires our obedience. We grow in knowledge when we regularly attend church and gather with other believers. 2 Peter 1:3 says that it is the power of God that gives us all we need to lead a godly life, "through our knowledge of Him." We can't grow complacent in our understanding of God. There is always more—more love, more growth, more service.
David’s Desire for God’s Truth and Guidance
In Psalm 25, King David writes, "Make me to know your ways, O Lord; teach me your paths. Lead me in your truth and teach me, for you are the God of my salvation; for you I wait all the day long." David was a man after God's own heart we are told and this verse, in part, explains why. David pleaded with God to know His ways, begged God to teach him His paths, and fervently desired to be lead in truth. For this David says he would "wait all day long." If only you and I would seek to know God in this way.
The Way of Holiness: A Journey of Righteousness
In Genesis 18, God declares that all nations will be blessed through Abraham and that he must keep the way of the Lord to do "righteousness and justice"(Genesis 18:19). Later in Isaiah 35:8, Isaiah speaks of the future Messianic Kingdom and speaks of a highway he calls, the Way of Holiness. This Way of Holiness, Jesus refers to in John 14:6 when He says that, "He is the Way, the Truth and the Life." Only those righteous in God's sight will walk in this Way. The righteousness they have received is from Jesus their Savior. To walk in the Way means to walk in safety and joy provided for us by God Himself.
Followers of The Way: Early Christian Identity
Before we were called Christians we were called followers of The Way. This phrase is mentioned five times in the book of Acts. In Acts 22:4, Paul mentions that he had persecuted both men and women who followed the Way. 2 Peter 2:2 says that Christianity is the Way of Truth. And in Hebrews 10:19-20, the shed blood of Christ is said to be the "new and living way" to enter the most holy places.
The Exclusivity of The Way Through Christ
Because Jesus Himself tells us He is the Way we know that the path to God goes exclusively through Him. Many people today want to believe in something called "religious pluralism," they believe that all religions lead to the same God. This is impossible however, simply because the belief systems of the major religions are drastically different.
Buddhists don't believe in God. Islam teaches an impersonal God without a personal, intimate connection that must be submitted to like a slave (not like a son, as in Christianity). Hinduism teaches everything from atheism to polytheism (the belief in many gods). Each faith has vastly different ways that they reach their "god" or lack of one.
Humility and Truth in Sharing The Way
Some people may think that belief in only one Way to reach God is arrogant. And perhaps it may be viewed this way. Arrogant or not, it doesn't make the viewpoint wrong! However, Jesus teaches us to be humble in our interactions with others. We also cannot lie either, just so we won't hurt someone's feelings.
We must tell the truth about the Way, while acknowledging our own desperate need of a Savior. Of our Savior it has been said, "the truth is a person who dies for us." (1) It is in love and humility that we seek to reach the world for Christ—the Truth who died for us.
How Hard Is It to Find the Way?
Is it difficult to find the Way? No! Matthew 7:8 tells us, "He who seeks finds." Deuteronomy 4:29 says if we seek God with all our whole heart and soul we will find Him. He wants us to seek Him. He is there to offer you an abundant life if you walk in His ways.
The Path of Life: God’s Revelation to Us
This Way, this path, is not something hidden from us. It is not something that we have to go through years of training to understand, like some secret cult, reaching higher and higher to find God. According to Psalm 16:11, God "makes known to us the path of life". Here we will find joy the psalmist says; here we will have pleasures forevermore.
Committing to God’s Way: Trust and Faith
Psalm 37:5 tells us to commit our ways to the Lord. Trust God and He will act. We hand over our needs to God and trust He will take care of us. When we learn to want what He wants—this is true commitment. Our ways become His ways—this is faith. Because we have this faith we can have peace in the outcomes of our circumstances.
Listening to the Holy Spirit’s Guidance
Isaiah 30:21 tells us that we will "hear a word"..."This is the way, walk in it." Who speaks this word to our hearts? The Holy Spirit. Do we listen for Him? Are we really hearing Him as He tries to guide us in the Way? He is so near, it is often we who are far and can barely hear Him speak.
God’s Word: A Lamp to Our Path
Finally, we look at the words of Psalm 119:105:
"Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path."
Anytime we feel like we are wandering from the Way, or the right path seems to be growing dimmer, we should seek the light. We find that light in the word of God. When we walk in His light we will not stumble. It is a sure and constant hope that will not disappoint. It is an anchor for our soul (Hebrews 6:19).
A Call to Reflect: Are You Walking in The Way?
Praise be to God if your blindfold has been removed and you belong to God. If it hasn't, take some time to think about what you are missing in your life and what is truly important. Take time to reflect on your relationship to God and what it ultimately means if you don't have one. Think about your Way. Where does it lead?
(1) "What is Unique About Christianity Among the World Religions" https://gospelproject.lifeway.com/what-is-unique-about-christianity-among-the-world-religions/
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