When we start out on an unfamiliar road trip, we must have a map or some kind of directions to know where we are heading. Otherwise, we could get lost or end up in unfamiliar territory where roads are closed or other issues with which to deal. Most of us don’t want to end up in a lost condition when we can get some direction or instruction to keep us from getting lost. Years ago, when Alice’s paternal grandmother passed away in Mississippi, we made our way there for the funeral. Usually, it’s hard for me to get lost. However, I met my match on that trip as I was unfamiliar with the roads we were traveling in the dark, and we ran into heavy road construction. We wandered aimlessly until we could get direction from others on how to get to our destination. We needed guidance to go the right way.
Just so, we need guidance on how to go the right way to reach the goal of Heaven. We can’t live on earth and take part in its sinful activities and expect to receive God’s blessings. Therefore, we must have a road map to teach us the right way. God didn’t leave man guessing what he must do; He provided the Bible, which is the Christian’s road map to Heaven.
First, we must understand that to go in the right direction, we must admit that we are going in the wrong direction. There is Someone Who has all the answers when we need a solution to correct us from heading the wrong way; God knows the answers! The prophet Isaiah admitted his human weakness and God’s greatness as he said, “‘For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways,’ says the Lord. ‘For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways, And My thoughts than your thoughts’” (Isaiah 55:8-9 NKJV). In other words, God is far above man in His ways and thoughts; after all, He created man. He is a great God!
Moses’ road map for the Israelites to keep them in the right way was “…You shall keep the commandments of the Lord your God, to walk in His ways and to fear Him” (Deuteronomy 8:6). With that exhortation to faithfulness, Moses also told them to “Beware that you do not forget the Lord your God by not keeping His commandments, His judgments, and His statutes…” (Deuteronomy 8:11). Not only were they given instruction to go the right way, but the Israelites were warned of severe consequences if they went the wrong way. When we forsake God and go our own way, we will reap the consequences of our actions.
We live in a society of people where it is common to hear someone say, “I’ll do it my way.” There was even a popular song years ago which lauded, “I did it my way.” We are instructed in Proverbs 12:15, “The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, But he who heeds counsel is wise.” In matters of religion, we don’t have the option of doing things our way. God declared that “There is a way that seems right to a man, But its end is the way of death” (Proverbs 14:12). In all matters of religion, it is God’s way, or one must suffer the consequences.
Peter described the consequences for those who have the right road map to get to Heaven and begin following it but then get off on side roads. He said:
For if, after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled in them and overcome, the latter end is worse for them than the beginning. For it would have been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than having known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered to them. But it has happened to them according to the true proverb: ‘A dog returns to his own vomit,’ and, ‘a sow, having washed, to her wallowing in the mire.’ (2 Peter 2:20-22)
Please learn and keep God’s ways.
