In a world jam-packed with philosophies, doctrines and, superstitions, many a time we find ourselves in a battle. A battle within the self bombarded with all manner of subtle voices whispering ‘behold this is the way of life’. As a groom woos the apple of his eyes with pleasant words and yet with so much zeal, our souls can attest to the lures of these surrounding forces. And yet before us, a choice to be made awaits. Which is the right path to follow? Often at crossroads, many opt for the way to destruction, thinking it will lead to life. For wide is the gate and broad and easy to travel is the path that leads the way to destruction and eternal loss, and there are many who enter it. But small is the gate and narrow and difficult to travel is the path that leads to life, and there are few who find it (Matt 7:13-14).
Therefore, how to find the path of life remains the question. Consider (Psalms 16:11), it is by the leading of God that we can tread upon the path of life. So how are we led unto life?
1. Being led in God’s truth.
Psalm 25:5 New King James Version (NKJV)
Lead me in Your truth and teach me, For You are the God of my salvation; On You, I wait all the day.
How else can we be led in the path of life apart from God’s truth? Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life (John 14:6). Finding Jesus is finding life, for by being founded in Him and led by Him, we traverse the path to life. God’s Word is the truth (John 17:17). When we receive counsel from the scriptures and accept it as God’s wise authoritative manual to life then we will walk in the path of life, being guarded by the sword of the Spirit.
2. Being led in righteousness.
Proverbs 21:21 New King James Version (NKJV)
He who follows righteousness and mercy finds life, righteousness, and honor.
It was the psalmist’s desire to know the paths of God (Psalm 25:4) which led to life. The paths of God are righteous (Prov 2:20) and upright (Prov 4:11). Righteousness is an expression of the character of God. It is a gift from God manifested in the life of a Christian through the power of the Holy Spirit. We ought to hunger and thirst for righteousness (Matt 5:6) yet there is a danger in trying to manufacture this righteousness from self. The Pharisees fell into this trap of self-righteousness. Jesus vividly illustrates the nature of self-righteousness in (Luke 18:19-14). It is important to note that all our righteousnesses are like filthy rags (Isaiah 64:6). God’s standard of righteousness is that of Jesus which through Him we are partakers (1 Cor 1:30). It is God who leads in the paths of righteousness for His name's sake (Psalm 23:3).
3. Being led in the way of everlasting.
Psalm 139:23-24 New King James Version (NKJV)
23 Search me, O God, and know my heart; Try me, and know my anxieties; 24 And see if there is any wicked way in me, And lead me in the way everlasting.
When we are led in the way of truth and walk in the paths of righteousness then certainly our feet are directed to the path of life everlasting. The world is obsessed with the thought of immortality, permeated with false teachings and a wrong understanding of this subject, deceived souls cling to these doctrines yearning and hoping in vain. The word of God speaks clearly on this subject. The ungodly and evildoers will be cut off and pay the penalty of eternal destruction, away from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power (Psalm 37:9,11,18,27; 37:38; 94:23; 28:5; 73:19;92:7; Hosea 7:13; Phil 3:19; 2 Thessa 1:9; 2 Peter 3:7; Jude 1:10; Prov 10:30) while the righteous inherit the land and dwell in it forever (Psalm 37:29). The hope of the righteous is an eternity in the presence of their Saviour ( John 3:16; john 10:28-30; 1 Peter 5:10; 1 John 2:17; 1 John 5:11, 13; Rom 6:23; John 3:36; 1 Tim 6:12; Rev 21:3-4; John 4:14; Matt 10:39). What better way to describe the hope of the believers in Christ than these:
1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 New King James Version (NKJV)
13 But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen [a]asleep, lest you sorrow as others who have no hope. 14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who [b]sleep in Jesus.
15 For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who are [c]asleep. 16 For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord. 18 Therefore comfort one another with these words.
إرسال تعليق