CHOOSING THE ONLY WAY

"There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death" (Prov. 16:25). I will attempt to interpret this verse in light of the verbs being of mixed number. Each man thinks his way is the right way. The results of all the individual paths are described as ways that lead to death. I would paraphrase the verse to say, "There are ways that seem right unto men, but each ends up in death." But, who am I to try to improve the KJV?

The phrase, the way, is used to denote a path of travel. Due to space, I will limit my examples to Matthew. There is a good path (Matt. 3:3; 7:14; 21:32; 22:16), and there are bad paths (Matt. 7:13; 10:5; 13:4; 20:30). It is used nine other times in Matthew, all of which should be interpreted as being neither bad nor good; they simply describe "a road." A road is used to get from one place to another. That is what Jesus meant when He described Himself as "the Way" (Jn. 14:6). It is very clear when one takes it in context. John 14:1-6 speaks of God dwelling in another place. Jesus intended to go there and make it ready for His followers. He said He would return and receive them to Himself (sounds a lot like the Rapture to me). He concludes by saying that He is "THE ONLY WAY" to the Father. I like the bridge illustration: man is on one side of a great chasm and God is on the other side. The chasm is built by man "doing his own thing" (sin). Man must trust Jesus to get over sin to the other side. He is the Way. There are no other bridges that reach the other side. Man attempts to build all sorts of bridges (religions) but ultimately, they simply lead to death because they cannot reach the other side. Those attempts are themselves sin.

In the Book of Acts, followers of Jesus were known as people of "the Way" (Acts 9:2; 19:9, 23; 22:4; 24:14, 22). Today, believers in Christ are known as Christians. I find it strange that the name "Christian" only appears three times in the Bible (Act 11:26; 26:28; 1 Pet. 4:16). When you think about it, the term "Christian" focuses upon the believer; it identifies him or her. On the other hand, "the Way" focuses upon Jesus. With all the denominations and cults claiming to be the true Church, perhaps true believers should consider themselves "people of the Way." That may be a good idea, but unfortunately, there is already a cult known as "The Way."

In conclusion, there is ONLY ONE WAY that leads to salvation, the new birth, and ultimately to heaven: faith in God's provision for our salvation due to the finished work of His Son Who died, was buried, was raised to life, and ascended to be with His Father. "Beloved, now are we the children of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be, but we know that, when He shall appear, we shall be like Him; for we shall see Him as He is. And every man that hath this hope in Him purifieth himself even as He is pure" (1 Jn. 3:2-3).