The Wrong Way on the Right Way

A traffic accident that is particularly tragic is when someone travels on the interstate in the wrong direction. They are likely going to be involved in a head-on collision which will increase the chance of serious injury or even death, and also there will be innocent victims in the other vehicle.

Add to that the frustration of figuring out how the whole scenario occurred. Did they go down the on ramp and turn left? Were they unfamiliar with the traffic pattern and thought the exit ramp was actually the entrance ramp? We would say that was impossible, but out in the rural areas at night with little traffic, it’s easy to do.

The great shame for a driver in that situation is he thinks he is going the right way when suddenly he faces death.

Did you know that Jesus calls Himself the Way and that the kingdom He established, the church, is also referred to as the Way (John 14:6; Acts 9:2; 19:9,23; 22:4; 24:14,22)? Yes, we all want to “come to the Father” through the only Way, Jesus, and spend eternity in their presence.

However, Jesus warns us, “narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it” (Matthew 7:14 NKJV). Peter acknowledges the reality of some who found it too difficult, “They have forsaken the right way and gone astray” (2 P. 2:15a).

As a matter of fact, much of the content of the letters of the New Testament is directed at keeping those who are already Christians on the right road to Heaven. There is only one way!

Don’t you love it when your GPS says, “Make a “U” turn”? You have wandered off the most direct route and it will say that over and over again till you get back on course. That sounds a whole lot like the prophets of the Old Testament, trying to redirect wayward Israel. “Thus says the Lord, your Redeemer, The Holy One of Israel: ‘I am the Lord your God, Who teaches you to profit, Who leads you by the way you should go. Oh, that you had heeded My commandments!’” (Isaiah 48:17-18a).

Christians know they’re on the right way when they follow the inspired directions of the New Testament. I love 1 John 1:7, “But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.” I would think that I could preach that one verse every week and all Christians would stay on that right road. Unfortunately, the surrounding verses remind us of the reality that many so-called Christians “walk in darkness.”

The moral of this story: Read and obey Christ’s roadmap!

Jeff Greene, minister for the South Stokes Church of Christ

Snow Angel Security

When I was a young boy, my friend and I were making angels in the newly fallen snow. Of course, our competitive natures arose and we decided to have a war and the one with the most angels on his side would obviously win. It wasn’t long before all the waving of the arms resulted in some worn out angel producers.

Have you seen any angels lately? It won’t be long before the store shelves will be packed with hosts of them. We like the decorative angels all around because it reminds us of the security of what God says about real angels in the Bible.

Two key verses come to our minds: Hebrews 1:14 (NKJV) says, “Are they not all ministering spirits sent forth to minister for those who will inherit salvation?” and Matthew 18:10, “Take heed that you do not despise one of these little ones, for I say to you that in heaven their angels always see the face of My Father who is in heaven.” When we are troubled by the circumstances of life, the thought of angels gives us some reassurance.

One thing that perplexes us about angels is their mystery. “Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some have unwittingly entertained angels” (Heb. 13:2). How do we know that an angel is actually watching over us?

The book of Acts tells of the events of the Church in its first days and years. There are numerous occasions of angels assisting preachers of the Gospel, however, in Acts 12 an angel saves Peter, but earlier in the chapter James is killed with a sword. Where was the help from angels for James?

This leads us to the broader help God promises. “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose” (Romans 8:28). What is the “good” that Paul is talking about? Is it more money, physical strength and good looks? While God is concerned about our physical well-being, He is far more concerned about our spiritual health (1 Timothy 4:8). So, when God promised, “No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it” (1 Corinthians 10:13), we see the assistance He really has in mind.

Sometimes we are tempted to relax a little bit with any kind of help, even God’s. Remember the verse before 10:13, “Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall.” Does your security plan include “taking heed”? Are you combining your alertness with complete trust in God’s faithfulness? He hopes so!

Jeff Greene, minister for the South Stokes Church of Christ

We Are the Answer to the Question

“And about the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, ‘Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani?’ that is, ‘My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?’” (Matthew 27:46 NKJV). Jesus has already been hanging on the cross for hours when this howl of desperation is heard. I don’t think it’s too hard for us to feel the depth of His misery, but what exactly is the answer to His question?

WE ARE! The agony of the cross was planned “from the foundation of the world” (Revelation 13:8). God gave us the right, the freedom, and the liberty to make choices for ourselves. With that, He knew that sooner or later we would make the wrong choices. Enter: a solution, or rather, The Solution (John 14:6)!

“Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us (for it is written, ‘Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree’)” (Galatians 3:13).

“For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him” (2 Corinthians 5:21).

“In this the love of God was manifested toward us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him” (1 John 4:9).

Christ has “borne our griefs and carried our sorrows.” “He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement for our peace was upon Him, and by His stripes we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned, every one, to his own way; and the Lord has laid on Him the iniquity of us all” (Isaiah 53:4-6).

Did you get all that? God made the Gospel plan and Jesus carried it out to its conclusion on the blood-stained cross FOR US! It’s a load of guilt for us to bear, that God made Jesus “who knew no sin, to be sin for us,” but only if we don’t respond as God hopes. He tells us, “Only let your conduct be worthy of the gospel of Christ” (Philippians 1:27).

Yes, God forsook Jesus on the cross, because He was bearing OUR SIN. But, dear reader, now that you see all the love God has shown you through His Son, He has a question for you: Are you now living a life that is worthy of Jesus’ wounds, sorrows and death? What’s YOUR answer?

Jeff Greene, minister for the South Stokes Church of Christ (First published in the Stokes News, the local newspaper.)