Jesus is THE WAY. We often think we know the way because we know what we have learned and we know what is expected of us, or at least, we think we do. However, Jesus represents a WAY that is often outside of our awareness. Jesus is the way we don’t know. He is THE WAY to the home that God has prepared for those who love Him.
John 14:6 (NLT) Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me.
The Problem
Sin Stinks. Sin is at the root of every problem. Everything that’s wrong in the world is connected to this reality. Relationships are ruined by sin. Finances are ruined by sin. Our health, our families, and our very lives are all disrupted because of sin.
Romans 3:23 (NLT) For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard.
Romans 6:23 (NLT) For the wages of sin is death…
Sin is a REAL Problem. Sin is not is God’s unfair, harsh, damper on our fun, or punishment. In the scripture above, we see that sin is why death is here. Sin hurts and even kills people. Suicide and homicide are caused by SIN. Sin is not a joke, it’s not funny, and even though it looks like fun; it always destroys the very thing it promises.
If you would really like to understand how serious this is, consider what happened to Jesus.
Romans 4:25 (NLT) He was handed over to die because of our sins, and he was raised to life to make us right with God.
God put His Son on the cross because of OUR/MY SIN. How could we ever consider the death of Jesus Christ and not be stricken? My sin cost the DEATH of GOD’S SON.
Can you Understand how Serious this is? Really? Saving another person from their sins is an impossible idea. It’s hopeless. So many believe that ANY sincere search for God will be successful. This causes them to believe there are many ways to be saved, but quite honestly, I don’t know that there is a way to be saved AT ALL.
It feels like there is literally NOTHING a person can do to change this situation it seems like there is NO ANSWER. …except there is.
The Answer
Romans 3:24-25 (NLT) Yet God, in his grace, freely makes us right in his sight. He did this through Christ Jesus when he freed us from the penalty for our sins. 25 For God presented Jesus as the sacrifice for sin. People are made right with God when they believe that Jesus sacrificed his life, shedding his blood.
Jesus is the Answer. This isn’t a prayer, Jesus Is THE WAY. Believing in Jesus isn’t mental assent or agreement. Faith isn’t a feeling. Faith changes the WAY you live. Faith is when you BELIEVE in Jesus so much that it recalibrates, redirects, and rebirths your life.
The Trailhead
Matthew 7:26-27 (NLT) But anyone who hears my teaching and doesn’t obey it is foolish, like a person who builds a house on sand. 27 When the rains and floods come and the winds beat against that house, it will collapse with a mighty crash.”
A Defining Moment. It is time to make the decision that Jesus is right, and I am not. How do you feel about God’s Son directing your life? How do you feel about His commands?
Matthew 7:24, 26 (NLT) “Anyone who listens to my teaching and follows it is wise, like a person who builds a house on solid rock. 26 But anyone who hears my teaching and doesn’t obey it is foolish, like a person who builds a house on sand.
The way we do things and the things we do are self-centered and often cause harm to ourselves and others. In general, we are wrong. Only Jesus Christ is right, right for us, and the right one to model.
Acts 2:38 (NLT) Peter replied, “Each of you must repent of your sins and turn to God, and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. Then you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
When Peter tells us to repent, he is telling us to repent or to “change our mind” about Jesus; AND, change our behaviors so that we become more like Jesus.
Many people say and believe things like this: “I have always been a Christian.” Or, “I have always believed.” Or, “I grew up in a Christian home.” These are red flags because none of them make any difference in regard to one’s relationship with God. A person’s defining moment is a particular time and/or place in which you chose to follow Jesus. There has to have been some moment or season in which you chose Jesus’ way over your own way.
Baptism is… Baptism confirms your defining moment through a public display. A public commitment. It’s like a line in the sand. (Acts 2:38). It says I’m with Jesus. I’m on His side. It is a metaphor for an eternal reality. We have died and been resurrected with Christ. (Romans 6). And, it is a symbol for future remembrance. Very much like a wedding band reminds us of our marriage, baptism reminds us of our commitment to Jesus Christ. (1 Peter 3:21)
Please Follow Jesus.
This is not a plea to become religious, but, it is not enough to have Jesus as some small part of your life. None of us know how much time we have left on this earth. It may be 20 years, 20 days, or a mere 20 minutes. What we do know is that everyone leaves sooner or later, and that is the problem.
Hebrews 9:27-28 (ESV) …it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment, 28 so Christ, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time, not to deal with sin but to save those who are eagerly waiting for him.
You either leave this world in victory and honor or with sin and shame. And, because God is Good, He gives people what they want. They can either have what they don’t deserve by following Jesus or not following Jesus and receive what they do deserve.
So, please, follow Jesus. If you would like to speak with someone about this, please send a text with your name to 307-224-4404.
