Jesus is the Way!
01/08/10 19:58
Solomon once
told us that there is a way that seems right unto a
man, but the end thereof is death. If you really
think about that it can be very scary, especially
with self-deception thrown into the mix. What if, for
example, someone began to teach you that if
you’re not happy, you must not be in
God’s will? And because you may experience some
of the things that they say are associated with
unhappiness, you begin to believe that you are
definitely out of the will of God. This is an example
of someone deceiving another by unsound teaching.
Next thing you know, a lifestyle is acquired so that the main focus is to make oneself happy. This is done so that one could “feel” as though they must now be in the will of God – this is an example of self-deception. The whole world has been under this sort of self-deception for six thousand years and it is the result of man’s fall from God’s grace in the Garden of Eden. Adam and Eve thought that partaking of the fruit was a good thing, for gaining “wisdom” and having their eyes opened. Yes, their eyes were opened and yes, they gained wisdom, but the wisdom that they gained was earthly and of the devil. So here is my question; I wonder how much of the world’s wisdom do we accept and follow, as to the way life should be lived? Scary, real scary!
Two thousand years ago a Man stood atop a small mount and spoke things that changed the way men and women would live forever. I am speaking of course, of Jesus Christ and His famous Sermon on the Mount. Constantly throughout, you can hear Him say things like; “You have heard that it was said…” But then He would add, “But I tell you…” What Jesus was doing was showing us what God wanted all along for man and how man should live in peace with God and one another. Jesus’ commands to love our enemies, turn other cheeks and going that second mile, were nothing more that what Moses said when he laid down the laws for Israel to live by. All those laws, from the Ten Commandments, to the Temple laws and Civil laws, Jesus spoke in a few short words.
In fact, everything that was spoken by the prophets can be summed up in the three chapters that the Sermon takes up in the Gospel of Matthew. Let there be no mistake; Jesus is the wisdom of God and He cries out on the heights along the way, where the paths meet and besides the gates leading to the city. He has worthy things to say, and He opens His lips to speak what is right. His mouth speaks what is true and His lips detest wickedness. All the words of His mouth are just; none of them is crooked or perverse. We are commanded to choose wisdom over silver and knowledge over precious gold. Actually, nothing you or I can desire can compare to the wisdom of God. This wisdom has come down to us from Heaven and is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere.
Wisdom has built her house and she has hewn out its seven pillars. She has prepared a banquet and sent out her messengers with an invite to all who are simple; “Come, eat my food and drink the wine I have mixed. Leave your simple ways and you will live; walk in the way of understanding.” The fear of the Lord is the beginning of this wisdom and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding. It is through this wisdom that we shall see many days and years shall be added to our lives. And in the end… wisdom shall reward you! Jesus certainly is the way to Life!
Pastor Jim
Next thing you know, a lifestyle is acquired so that the main focus is to make oneself happy. This is done so that one could “feel” as though they must now be in the will of God – this is an example of self-deception. The whole world has been under this sort of self-deception for six thousand years and it is the result of man’s fall from God’s grace in the Garden of Eden. Adam and Eve thought that partaking of the fruit was a good thing, for gaining “wisdom” and having their eyes opened. Yes, their eyes were opened and yes, they gained wisdom, but the wisdom that they gained was earthly and of the devil. So here is my question; I wonder how much of the world’s wisdom do we accept and follow, as to the way life should be lived? Scary, real scary!
Two thousand years ago a Man stood atop a small mount and spoke things that changed the way men and women would live forever. I am speaking of course, of Jesus Christ and His famous Sermon on the Mount. Constantly throughout, you can hear Him say things like; “You have heard that it was said…” But then He would add, “But I tell you…” What Jesus was doing was showing us what God wanted all along for man and how man should live in peace with God and one another. Jesus’ commands to love our enemies, turn other cheeks and going that second mile, were nothing more that what Moses said when he laid down the laws for Israel to live by. All those laws, from the Ten Commandments, to the Temple laws and Civil laws, Jesus spoke in a few short words.
In fact, everything that was spoken by the prophets can be summed up in the three chapters that the Sermon takes up in the Gospel of Matthew. Let there be no mistake; Jesus is the wisdom of God and He cries out on the heights along the way, where the paths meet and besides the gates leading to the city. He has worthy things to say, and He opens His lips to speak what is right. His mouth speaks what is true and His lips detest wickedness. All the words of His mouth are just; none of them is crooked or perverse. We are commanded to choose wisdom over silver and knowledge over precious gold. Actually, nothing you or I can desire can compare to the wisdom of God. This wisdom has come down to us from Heaven and is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere.
Wisdom has built her house and she has hewn out its seven pillars. She has prepared a banquet and sent out her messengers with an invite to all who are simple; “Come, eat my food and drink the wine I have mixed. Leave your simple ways and you will live; walk in the way of understanding.” The fear of the Lord is the beginning of this wisdom and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding. It is through this wisdom that we shall see many days and years shall be added to our lives. And in the end… wisdom shall reward you! Jesus certainly is the way to Life!
Pastor Jim
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