Problems? Are You Confused? Lost?

JOB 14:1 "Man, who is born of woman, Is short-lived and full of turmoil.

These words, spoken thousands of years ago, express the sentiment of millions living today. Now, however, there is a way out -- Jesus Christ. He said of Himself, "I am the way, the truth, and the life" -- John 14:6. To everything that is truly good, both in this life and the life to come, --

Jesus Christ Is The Way

Finding Jesus The Way

Following Jesus as "the way" involves more than just praising Him with our lips. He said,

LUKE 6:46 ¶ "And why do you call Me, 'Lord, Lord,' and do not do what I say?

JOHN 8:31 ¶ Jesus therefore was saying to those Jews who had believed Him, "If you abide in My word, then you are truly disciples of Mine;

The life and teaching of Jesus are found in the first four books of the New Testament -- Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. Other books of the New Testament are also the teaching of Jesus, for He revealed it by the Holy Spirit through men like Peter and Paul. Paul wrote:

1 CORINTHIANS 14:37 ¶ If anyone thinks he is a prophet or spiritual, let him recognize that the things which I write to you are the Lord's commandment.

Following Jesus as the way, therefore, requires a careful study of the New Testament and a determined effort to live as it directs.

Jesus, The Way To A Better Life

Jesus stated His purpose in coming to earth in the following words:

JOHN 10:10 "The thief comes only to steal, and kill, and destroy; I came that they might have life, and might have it abundantly.

Jesus provides this better life by offering the solutions to the problems that make life difficult -- guilt, self-pity and fear. He does not promise wealth or luxury, but He does assure us of a loving Father in Heaven who cares for His children and will provide the things they truly need.

MATTHEW 6:31 "Do not be anxious then, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'With what shall we clothe ourselves?'
6:32 "For all these things the Gentiles eagerly seek; for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things.
6:33 "But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added to you.

The happiest people in the world are those who have most completely committed themselves to following Jesus as the way.

1 PETER 1:8 and though you have not seen Him, you love Him, and though you do not see Him now, but believe in Him, you greatly rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory,

Jesus, The Way To Forgiveness of Sins

Sin is a more serious threat to our well-being than any physical, economic or social danger that we face. Yet, all of us are guilty of sin and we are helpless on our own to remove its stain. Sin is violation of God's law and only God can forgive it. He has made provision for our forgiveness through Jesus.

EPHESIANS 1:7 In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace,

1 PETER 2:24 and He Himself bore our sins in His body on the cross, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness; for by His wounds you were healed.

After His sacrifice for us, Jesus explained how those who are lost in sin can have remission of sins and be saved.

LUKE 24:46 and He said to them, "Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer and rise again from the dead the third day;
24:47 and that repentance for forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in His name to all the nations, beginning from Jerusalem.

MARK 16:16 "He who has believed and has been baptized shall be saved; but he who has disbelieved shall be condemned.

Jesus, The Way To God

Lost people need more than forgiveness of sins. They need to be restored to that close union with God which they lost by their sin. In sending Jesus into the world --

2 CORINTHIANS 5:19 ... God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and He has committed to us the word of reconciliation.

Jesus stated that one can reach God only through Him. He said,

JOHN 14:6 ... "I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father, but through Me.

Jesus, The Way Out of Religious Confusion

Many who wish to follow Christ are repelled by the multitude of churches and the conflicting doctrines taught by those who profess to be Christians. One does not have to be a part of this confusion. Jesus did not approve of it.

In Matthew 16:18, Jesus said:

... "I will build My church....."

We read of the beginning of His church in Acts, chapter 2.

ACTS 2:47 praising God, and having favor with all the people. And the Lord was adding to their number day by day those who were being saved.

The Lord is still adding those who are being saved to His church. If we are saved, we are in His church and united with all others who are in it.

EPHESIANS 4:4 There is one body and one Spirit, just as also you were called in one hope of your calling;
4:5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism,
4:6 one God and Father of all who is over all and through all and in all.

It is good for us to worship and work with other saved individuals who are bound with us in Christ by these unifying ties. But if we join another body (denomination), accept another lord (religious authority), or adhere to another faith (creed), we are leaving the unity for which Jesus prayed.

JOHN 17:20 "I do not ask in behalf of these alone, but for those also who believe in Me through their word;
17:21 that they may all be one; even as Thou, Father, art in Me, and I in Thee, that they also may be in Us; that the world may believe that Thou didst send Me.

Jesus, The Way To Heaven

HEBREWS 9:27 And inasmuch as it is appointed for men to die once and after this comes judgment,

Death is the door, both to heaven and to hell. To die in Jesus is to die in the way to heaven.

REVELATION 14:13 ¶ And I heard a voice from heaven, saying, "Write, 'Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on!'" "Yes,"says the Spirit, "that they may rest from their labors, for their deeds follow with them."

REVELATION 22:14 Blessed are those who wash their robes, that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter by the gates into the city.

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