The Way
by Terry Wayne Benton
Saul was looking for Christians, followers of Christ, to capture and prosecute, but Luke commented that they were “of the Way” (Acts 9:2). In Acts 8:3, he stated that Saul made “havoc of the church.” The church is comprised of people who have united with Jesus and are in His way of salvation and redemptive life. Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life (John 14:6).
The way to reconciliation with God was reestablished through Jesus. Adam and Eve lost that fellowship in the Garden of Eden when they allowed sin in. Separation from God is what sin creates. The way back to God and Paradise is through a relationship with Jesus.
In baptism, we are “united together” (Romans 6:3-6) with the leader who will provide for our needs to return to God and Paradise. Since most people will foolishly ignore the call of the gospel, only those who obey the call of the gospel will become part of the way back to Paradise. The Lord adds to the church “such as are being saved” (Acts 2:47). If you are not in Jesus’ church, you are not in the way, and if you are in the Way, you are in the church He purchased with His own blood (Acts 20:28).
The church of Christ is in the way of peace, forgiveness, reconciliation, hope, and confident expectation. The Way that is spoken about in the New Testament is what the prophets called “the Highway of Holiness”. Isaiah 35:8 says, “And a highway shall be there, and it shall be called the Way of Holiness; the unclean shall not pass over it. It shall belong to those who walk on the way; even if they are fools, they shall not go astray.” This means it is a safe way to live, a safe direction to take in life, and it doesn't require a special level of brilliance to adopt this way. Anyone can enter this way, and everyone should, but unfortunately, not many will.
It is wonderful that Jesus provides the way to reconcile our hearts to God, the way of pardon for sin, the way to live a holy and righteous life, and the way to make reservations for heaven, all through the riches of His grace. I wish more people would take the way out of this ungodly mess of sinful condemnation. The gospel (good news) is that there is a way for even you! Will you be wise to take it?
