Jesus Christ is both the way to heaven/ salvation AND he is also the way we should go.
The Way We Should Go
What does this mean exactly?
Its about how we live our life day to day. Most devout Christians I know have a life-philosophy of look at externals make decisions live by discipline, hard work, devout activities and strive for sinless living.
An alternative way to live which I think is a much easier life philosophy is that the Christian lives by Jesus Christ himself daily. She seeks and pursues him with intensity and moment by moment, never relenting.
“I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through me.” – Jesus Christ
Jesus Christ is The Way
All the other ‘good’ or devout activities around him are not the way we should go. And if we look at them as such they inevitably bring guilt and condemnation.
Reading the bible is not the way, having constant and great devotions is not, not sinning is not. Preaching the right sort of messages is not, leading people to him is not. Missionary work is not, giving all we have is not, being a great parent is not. And attending church meetings is not THE way for us to live day to day. Jesus Christ himself is.
All that we need to do now is to progressively know him, progressively increase in knowing him. We pursue him, we seek him and this other stuff comes naturally and easily and without burden. We pursue him from the relaxing place of rest every day.
Without Jesus himself giving these activities mentioned above light and life in our lives they become laws to us. Then these laws of life condemn us when we inevitably fall short. I heard someone say recently “I feel guilty for not having devotions lately“, this person continued on to insult himself and his own character. He is one of the most disciplined Christians that I know by the way.
Others may say “I feel guilty for skipping church, for my ineffective teaching, for people leaving my church, for not being a better _____,… fill in the blank.”
When Jesus taught seek first the kingdom of heaven and when he said “follow me” he was changing everything for us. To follow Jesus, to seek him first is now synonymous to being led of the Spirit, to living holy. It is synonymous with pleasing him and resting in him, it is exceedingly simple and void of guilt and burden.
What Way Are You Pursuing in Life?
another great article about Jesus The Way
The Way speaks directly in my upcoming book From His Side, check it out.
