CAN WE KNOW THE WAY?
Pastor J. C. O'Hair
"WITH so many different churches and — religions, how can a person know
the right way to heaven?" This is a very old question, and millions are
still asking it.
There was a man in the Bible who asked this very question. His name was
Thomas, and he asked, "How can we know the way?" (This is found in John
14:5). Our Lord answered him: "I am the way . . no man cometh unto the
Father but by Me."
Two Ways
There are really only two ways — man's way, and God's way. Man's way
consists of theories and opinions; Christ is God's way. He said in John 10:1
that if anyone tried to climb up some other way, "the same is a thief and a
robber."
Under man's way you trust in your own merits, or in your religion, or
your moral standing. There are variations of this way, but it is always some
kind of trust in self, in good works and deeds. But God does not accept any
of these human ways. He says, "There is a way that seemeth right unto a man,
but the end thereof are the ways of death" (Prov. 14:12). He says also that
salvation is "not of works, lest any man should boast" (Eph. 2:9).
"All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own
way (man's way); and the Lord hath laid on Him (His Son) the iniquity of us
all" (Isaiah 53:6).
Under God's way, you trust wholly in the finished work of the Lord Jesus
Christ for you on the cross, knowing that you have no merit of your own but
that the precious blood of Christ paid for all your sins. Under God's way,
we learn that salvation must be received as a free gift from God, "for all
have sinned, and come short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23). "But God
commendeth His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ
died for us" (Romans 5:8).
Two Men
Two men once came into the temple to pray. One came in man's way, and the
other came God's way. This account is in Luke 18:9-14. The one who came in
man's way was a good man, according to human standards. He was not
dishonest, nor unjust, nor immoral. As to religious standing, he fasted
twice a week, gave tithes, and he was thankful that he was "not as other men
are," that is, he was better than the average. It all sounded reasonable,
but it was the human way, and God will not receive a sinner on that basis.
The other man came God's way, as an unworthy sinner, crying: "God be
merci ful to me a sinner!" And the Lord Jesus said this man went home
"justified," or saved. The man who came in his own way will spend eternity
with the lost.
Two Gates
"Wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and
many there be which go in thereat" (Matt. 7:13).
"Strait is the gate, and narrow is the way which leadeth unto life, and
few there be that find it" (Matt. 7:14).
Friend, are you in the right way? Have you entered the right gate? Are
you trusting completely in God's Son for your salvation, or are you
trusting in yourself? Remember that the "GIFT of God is eternal life
through Jesus Christ our Lord" (Romans 6:23).
"Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved" (Acts 16:31).
"As many as received HIM, to them gave He power to become the sons of God."
"He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath
not life" (I John 5:12).
Read: Paul's Gospel
http://www.paulsgracemessage.org/PaulsGospel.htm
"E-MAIL THIS MESSAGE TO A FRIEND"
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