Message 11 - By
Jerry D. Green
The
WAY
Introduction
Jesus had told the Jews, and His disciples, that He was going away.
Now, the very day before He would go to the cross, He tells His disciples that
the time for Him to go away is at hand.
He tells them, “I go (to my Father) to prepare a place for you…” (John 14:2). “And… (where) I go ye know, and
the WAY ye know (John 14:4).” Thomas protests,
saying Lord we don’t know where you’re going, how can we know the way? “Jesus saith unto
him (and to them, and
to us), I AM The WAY, the TRUTH, and the LIFE: NO MAN COMETH UNTO THE
FATHER, BUT BY ME” (John 14:6). In
that, nothing has changed from that day to this, nor will it ever change. Jesus
is still THE WAY, the ONLY WAY, to God the Father; and NO MAN can, nor ever
will, come to the Father except by Him. So don’t waste your precious days on
this earth looking for a way to God other than Jesus Christ and His gospel.
There is no other way, nor will there ever be. And if you never accept the WAY
God has provided through Jesus Christ and His gospel, you will be forever lost
in whatever religion you allow the
devil to deceive you into placing your faith in. This includes, not only the
multitudes of heathen religions, but multitudes of “so called” Christian religions as well. So let God speak to
your heart as you read this message and if you find that perhaps you have been
on the wrong WAY, submit your life, your all, unto God and the provision which
He has provided for all of lost humanity, by and in His Son, Jesus Christ, and
the true gospel of Him. JDG
-------------------------------------------------------------------
The WAY
“…I
AM The *WAY, the TRUTH, and the LIFE: NO MAN cometh unto the Father, but BY ME” (John 14:6).
*Strong’s #3598 - a road;
by implication a progress (the route, act or distance); figuratively, a mode or
means.
Could this be true? Is there really only one way to come to the true and living God; and that being by His
Son Jesus, the Christ? Yes, this is absolutely true, yet untold millions, even
billions of lost souls are trying to come to God by some other means (without
Jesus and/or without the TRUE gospel of Him, which “…is the power of God unto
salvation to every one that…” believes it (Romans 1:16). Why would anyone do this? It is because they have
been beguiled by the devil, working through men, to convince them there is another way. Jesus also says in Matthew 7, Verse 13, “Enter ye in at the strait (the narrow,
obstructed) gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the
way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which
go in thereat: And verse 14, (For) …strait is the
gate, and narrow (filled with tribulation) is the way, which leadeth unto life, and FEW
there be that find IT.”
I will first point out that strait
in these two verses is a good translation if we understand the English
definition of the word. This English word conveys the thought of “narrow” and/or “restricted.” However, the word translated narrow in the second verse (verse
14) was not the best translation. This Greek word more correctly conveys
the thought, “to crowd or press hard
upon, to pressure.” Let’s examine the definitions of these and other
original Greek words used in these two verses, in Strong’s Greek Dictionary and
Thayer’s Greek-English Lexicon.
Matthew 7, Verse 13 - “Enter
ye in at the *strait (*Strong’s #4728,
narrow [from obstacles standing
close about]) *gate: (*Strong’s #4439,
an access or entrance.). In the case of
this parable, the strait, or narrow gate represents the true gospel of Jesus, the
Christ. For *wide (*Strong’s #4113 - broad, spacious, unrestricted) is the gate (the access; the
entrance),
and *broad (*Strong’s #2149, wide and spacious) is the *way (*Strong’s #3598,
a road; by implication a progress [the route, act or distance]; figuratively, a
mode or means; [whereupon is every
type of false religious error, including perverted Christian religion; i.e.,
“the lie;” Galatians 1:6-7; John 8:44]) that
leadeth to *destruction (*Strong’s #684, eternal ruin or loss). Thayer’s has it, “the destruction which
consists of eternal misery in hell”), and MANY there be which go in thereat” (at the wide gate and broad way
of eternal destruction).
Jesus continues in Verse 14,
concerning the STRAIT GATE (which is
representative of the true gospel of
Christ; which is the power of God unto salvation
to all who will believe it [Romans 1:16]. Our entrance, or access,
to the Father, is the narrow Way of truth and life [Jesus,
the Christ, and the true gospel of Him]). Jesus goes on to say, “…strait (which actually
means, narrow and/or obstructed from obstacles standing close about) is the *gate (the access or entrance) and *narrow (*Strong’s #2346;
which means, crowded with trouble, tribulation, distress, affliction, persecution, and all such things; Acts 14:21-22; I
Thessalonians 3:3-5; II
Thessalonians 1:3-5), is the WAY, which leadeth unto (the primary
source of all) LIFE (which is the
FATHER),
and FEW there be that FIND IT… (meaning; Jesus and the
true gospel of Him, who is the WAY to the Father of LIFE; Matthew 7:14; 11:12; Luke 13:24; 16:16).” In Verse
15 He continues with another warning, “Beware of false prophets (Satan’s
ministers who bring their perverted gospels of death; Acts 15:1-11,) which come to you
in sheep’s clothing (in the guise of true gospel ministers) but inwardly they
are ravening wolves” (Matthew 7:15; II Corinthians 11:13-15).
I saw a man on national TV some years ago who held to a prominent
world religion. He literally had to go to the ends of the earth to (supposedly)
be cleansed concerning something which he had mistakenly eaten. In my sadness I
could only wonder at the darkness of religion and of that which man will
ignorantly do in an attempt to be in right standing with God. Unfortunately,
the darkness of religion is not excluded
to those who call themselves the church of Jesus Christ. The broad way of religion is well entrenched in the confines of the church. These,
are those who Jesus was warning of who would come, not only from without
(outside) the church; but from within the very church itself (Acts 20:29-30; I John 2:18-19). Those who would feign themselves to be true
brethren, when in fact they would be, either ignorantly or otherwise, “…grievous (ravening) wolves,…not sparing the flock…of God…” (Acts 20:29; I Peter 5:2).
From the early prophets, God began to speak of the coming Redeemer
as the way. Isaiah 35:8-10 tell us that, a “…highway (a broad way) shall be there, and a WAY (a narrow way), and IT (the narrow way) shall be called The
WAY of HOLINESS. The unclean shall not pass over it; but it shall be for those (who have
entered through the strait gate): the wayfaring men, though fools, shall not err therein” (shall not accidentally, and/or haphazardly,
stumble onto this way, ‘…for… [God only rewards those who] …DILIGENTLY SEEK Him;’ Hebrews 11:6). For, “No lion (No devil) shall be there (on that narrow way), nor (neither shall) any ravenous beast …go up thereon, it (or, they) shall not be found there; but the REDEEMED shall walk there. And the
ransomed of the LORD shall return, and come to Zion with songs and everlasting
joy upon their heads: they shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and
sighing shall flee away.”
So how could a way, so “…freely given…,” to “…whosoever will…,” be found by only
a “…few…” (I
Corinthians 2:12; Revelation 22:17;
Matthew 7:14)? This is just one more
example God has given of the two ways. The “…highway…” (the broad way) which seems right to someone
who doesn’t know and love the truth, is in reality a way of death and destruction (Proverbs 14:12).
While the narrow way, “…The WAY…” of truth
and life, which is Jesus, the Christ, leads to The FATHER of all LIFE.
The entrance to both of
these ways is a gate, but wide is
the gate which leads to the broad
way of religion, and certain
destruction (sin, death, and ultimately the lake of fire); while the strait gate (though it be narrow, and
obstructed by many obstacles) is the
gate of the true gospel of Jesus, the
Christ, our access to the narrow WAY, by which, we access the
FATHER of ALL TRUTH, and therefore LIFE. This is the only means by which a
person will ever obtain access The FATHER of LIFE. Why is this WAY so pressed
by tribulation, affliction, distress, and persecutions (Strong’s #2346)? It is because it is a WAY of
HOLINESS and GODLINESS, both of which, for the believer, are by Jesus Christ
and His gospel. The world hates the righteousness
and true holiness which comes only
from God (Ephesians 4:24); thus, all
those who “…live GODLY in Christ Jesus SHALL suffer persecution” as a part of the
tribulation which we as the true children of God are promised, in,
and from the world (II Timothy 3:12;
John 16:33).
Isaiah speaking prophetically says this, “Yet it PLEASED the LORD (the Father) to bruise Him (His Son, Jesus); He hath put Him to grief: when thou
shalt make His soul (His body) an offering for sin, He shall see His
seed, He shall prolong His days, and the pleasure of the LORD shall prosper in
his hand” (Isaiah
53:10). How important is the strait
gate of the true gospel of Jesus
(the complete, finished work of Calvary)? Jesus prayed in the garden of
Gethsemane saying, “O my Father, IF IT BE POSSIBLE, let this cup (of physical and
mental suffering and agony unto death that He would have to endure to save US) pass from me:
nevertheless NOT as I will, but as you will” (Matthew 26:39). Mark adds a detail that
Matthew left out, “…Father, ALL THINGS ARE POSSIBLE unto thee; take away this
cup from me: nevertheless NOT what I will, but what thou wilt” (Mark 14:36). Yes, it was possible
for God to have taken that cup of suffering and death from Him, but if He had,
the entire world would all be lost. No one would look forward to enduring such
horrible things as Jesus suffered and God would never have ask anyone else to
have done so. Why? Because it would have all been in vain. The sacrificial
offering of the sinless body of
Jesus Christ was the only possible way
for mankind to be saved. Like anyone else in a flesh and blood body, Jesus was
not looking forward to enduring the horrendous torment and agony it would take
to purchase our salvation. This was the reason Jesus had to know absolutely and
for certain that it was the Father’s will for Him to drink that cup, and, that
there was not even a remote POSSIBILITY for you and I to be saved from sin and everlasting destruction by any
other means. Only the (agape) love of God could have ever allowed His only
begotten Son to endure such suffering, and only the (agape) love of God could
ever have been willing to suffer such for the likes of you and me. It is
impossible for the carnal mind to comprehend such a love, but “…God was IN Christ (loving and), reconciling the WORLD (all of lost
humanity) unto Himself…and hath committed unto
us (all those who have received
Him [John 1:12] His true church) the WORD of reconciliation” (the gospel of
Christ; II Corinthians 5:18-19), “…the WORD of THE (TRUE) GOSPEL…” (Acts 15:7). As true believers we are commissioned to preach and teach the true gospel of Jesus Christ to all the world.
We are told by many that we all worship the same God, we just have
our own way of getting to Him. NO!
Jesus did not say in vain, “…I AM THE WAY… (and) …NO MAN cometh unto the Father but by me” (John 14:6). Jesus is the only way to the Father and all those
who would enter any other way are thieves and robbers (John 10:1). But unbeknown to
themselves, they also ignorantly worship another god, the devil, the god of
this WORLD (II Corinthians 4:3-4).
And again, Strong’s definition of the Greek word which was translated way (#3598) says it is “…a road; by implication a progress (the route,
act or distance); figuratively, a mode or means.” Jesus is that way, that route, that road, that mode,
the only means of man coming unto
the Father, and there is absolutely no
other way for man to come to the Father but by Him.
“…Strait (obstructed) is the gate (the entrance to the way)
and
narrow (crowded with trouble, affliction, and tribulation; Acts 14:22-23; I Thessalonians 3:4) is the way, which leadeth unto LIFE (Jesus, by whom
we have access to the Father, who is LIFE eternal) ….” Remember, the
word strait (Strong’s #4728) means “narrow (from obstacles
standing close about).” This gate is not easy to negotiate; not because isn’t
sufficiently wide, but because of all the obstructions (every false doctrine,
every false way) which the devil and
his ministers have built around and about the entrance to TRUTH and LIFE to hinder those who desire to find it. Why
would God allow this to be? It is to try (test or prove) your heart so that He
may “…know whether… (you) …LOVE the LORD your God with all your heart and with all
your soul” (Deuteronomy 13:1-3).
If a person does not LOVE both God and truth (and these are inseparable) with a whole heart, they will never find the gate (the true gospel), which is the entrance to the way (Jesus) who is our access to the
Father. It is only faith in Jesus and the true gospel that makes the
believer free indeed FROM sin. Yet
there are billions of deceived souls who think they have found, or will find, another way. This is a false hope which leads only to certain destruction. How truly did Jesus say, “…few there be
that find IT.” These six words should be enough to get the attention of
anyone, especially when we are told of the great numbers of people who are
being saved today.
Remember that the Greek word, here translated *narrow from Strong’s #2346
- means, crowded with trouble; distress; affliction; persecution; tribulation; concerning Jesus Christ, the way. It doesn’t mean
there is not sufficient room. It
simply describes the inevitable tribulation: trouble, affliction, and
persecution which the true child of God will
endure in some measure, for the sake of Jesus Christ (“…the KINGDOM of
God, and His righteousness…;” Matthew 6:33) and His gospel (Acts
14:22).
Nonetheless, there is no
latitude concerning any other way.
There must be no mingling with
anything else: not our works and Him; not our laws and Him; and not our
doctrine and Him. Our faith can only
be IN Jesus Christ as the one and
only Messiah of God, and the pure, true, simple gospel of Him (that which He did for us through His physical
suffering and death on the cross of Calvary). To mingle that gospel with anything else is to pervert (change) it and destroy it’s POWER to
save and keep. If you were ever
saved by the pure, true, simple gospel,
you will fall from grace if you
pollute it (Galatians 1:6-7; 5:4). Only faith in the pure, true,
simple, unadulterated gospel of Jesus
Christ will bring you to the WAY of TRUTH and LIFE (Jesus Christ, the Messiah of God), mankind’s only access to the Father.
If you have never before heard of Jesus Christ and the true gospel of Him, or, if you are one who
has dabbled in religion (including Christian religion) searching for truth, trying to find something that is
real, try Jesus and the true gospel of Him; for “…the (true) gospel of (Jesus) Christ…IS the POWER
of God unto SALVATION to EVERYONE that…” will believe IT (Romans 1:16).
Salvation is just as simple as hearing and believing the true gospel from the heart. If you are lost and have
read this message, you are standing before the two gates we have just discussed. The strait (or narrow) gate
and the wide gate. The strait gate
which opens to life, is a narrow, obstructed way because of obstacles that
stand close about. Obstacles which God has allowed the enemy to place before it
to see if you will be deterred to the path of least resistance. The sole
purpose of these obstacles is to deter you to the wide, spacious gate which
opens to the broad way of eternal destruction (religion). Remember the old maze
games. There is only one way to reach the desired goal. Many choices are
offered but only one will bring you to the desired destination.
The strait gate accesses the WAY,
the truth, and the life (Jesus), which in turn restores
man to fellowship with God the Father. So please remember, there are multitudes
of Christ denying religions as well as perverted gospels of Christ which have
absolutely no power to save, to
keep, to deliver, to make one free indeed FROM sin (the nature), or the enslavements of sin (the vices attributed to the nature), or the sentence of death
which is pronounced upon all sin and
all sinners (all those who, because
of the sin nature, transgress the
law of God, I John 3:4). But all of
these are the work of the TRUE gospel which also makes us partakers of
the everlasting, abundant, sinless life
which is only in the Father, by Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen!
Message 11 - The WAY
-------------------------------------------------------------------
TOP of PAGE
NEXT MESSAGE
PREVIOUS MESSAGE
JDG MESSAGES
Keith Surface
MESSAGES
Leroy Surface MESSAGES
