Wednesday, July 16, 2014

Talk Tuesday-The Way That Leads To Life

The Bible warns us that,”There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death,” Proverbs 14:12. Many times my errant ways seem justified to me. When I get hurt, feel betrayed, frustrated, angry or indignant, my thoughts often stray into the territory of unforgiveness and retribution. Then God's Word redirects my heart towards life and peace. “14 For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. 15 But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins,” Matthew 6:14-15; “ Do not judge, or you too will be judged. 2 For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you,” Matthew 7:1-2.

The Psalmist writes, “Blessed are they whose ways are blameless, who walk according to the law of the LORD. Blessed are they who keep His statutes and seek Him with all their heart. They do nothing wrong; they walk in His ways. You have laid down precepts that are to be fully obeyed. Oh, that my ways were steadfast in obeying your decrees! Then I would not be put to shame when I consider all your commands,” Psalm 119: 1-6. In a world that preaches self-gratification and glorification of our mortal flesh, how can we find the way that leads to life? The Psalmist also asks, “How can a young man keep his way pure?” Psalm 119:9. Then the answer is revealed in his own response, “By living according to Your word. I seek You with all my heart; do not let me stray from Your commands. I have hidden Your word in my heart that I might not sin against you,” Psalm 119:9-11.

 The end of our earthly lives will come. Enter through the 'narrow gate' and find the Way that leads to life. “Jesus answered, 'I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me,'” John 14:6; “He replied, “Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it,” Luke 11:28.