Heaven By Another Road

"‘And you know the way where I am going.' Thomas said to Him, ‘Lord, we do not know where You are going, how do we know the way?' Jesus said to him, ‘I am the way and the truth and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me.'" (John 14:4-6)

We live in very bizarre times! We legalize sin, killing infants at the moment of birth and calling it choice, putting to death the elderly and those with severe illnesses, and calling it mercy, all the while legislating away the one Truth which provides all the answers to all the questions, all the pain and all the confusion of the world. How can we doubt the presence of the enemy in the earth when lies and death are legally acceptable, and Truth and Life are politically incorrect?

Religion, in this "brave new world," has become acceptable anywhere and everywhere – so long as it does not point the way to Jesus Christ. Buddha and his shrines are a regular sight in retail businesses. Wicca (the religion of witchcraft) is recognized by many as the fastest emerging religion among young people of high school age. Freedom of religion is touted, but the spoken name of Jesus is not only unacceptable, and can even lead to the arrest of children.

Ask the man on the street if he's going to heaven, and he will more than likely tell you that he's believes he will because he's "tried to be a good person." "Good" is such a relative concept that we have no choice but to conclude that he is attempting the impossible - - to create his own road to heaven. Not knowing what it is, or where it is, he cannot possibly succeed!

There are many roads we might travel, and we have chosen the road we now travel. You might argue you did not choose your road; it is a matter of circumstances out of your control. True. many were set on the wrong road as children, but if we are right now on the wrong road, it is by our own choice. We can no longer blame our parents' ignorance for our walk outside the Truth! It's time to come to maturity.

Jesus encouraged His disciples, telling them, "I go to prepare a place for you. And If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you to Myself; that where I am, you may be also." (John 14)

When asked how they were to know the way, Jesus made what remains one of the clearest statements imaginable. He says, "I am the way (the path), and the truth (the essence of what is true) and the life (zoé, the God-kind of life); no one comes to the Father, but through Me."

In His conversation with Nicodemus (John 3:1-21), Jesus says, "Truly truly I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see (this denotes physical sight) the kingdom of God." He goes on to explain that physical birth brings one into the earth, but rebirth of the human spirit, by the Holy Spirit gives one an open door into the kingdom. He tells Nicodemus "you must be born from above." (verse 7) Furthermore, whoever (that's us) believes in Him will have eternal life (verse16).

But how do we do this?

Romans 10:9 gives us the process, "if you confess with your mouth (in total unity of assent with the mind and spirit) Jesus as Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you shall be saved." The word used here for saved is the Greek word sozo, which denotes both temporal (right here and now in this life), as well as eternal deliverance.

Have you acknowledged Jesus as the Way, the only Way? Perhaps you have, but you've allowed detours and side trips. If you've never acknowledged Him as the only Way, or if you'd like to get back on track, pray this prayer out loud and from your heart:

"Lord, I confess that I've been on the wrong road, one of my own making. Lord Jesus, I confess that too often I have done things my way, attempting to create my own path to Heaven. I've diluted your crystal clear word, to make it seem more palatable. Now Lord, I give up my own way and repent for each wrong footstep I've taken."

"I confess now with my mouth that You stepped from heaven into the earth and took on human form, and You died for me, paying the penalty for my wrong doing. You were raised from the dead and ever live as my staunchest Sponsor, Supporter, and Backer before the Throne."

I confess the name of Jesus out my mouth as the One and only Lord and Savior and I ask You to come into my heart and be my personal Redeemer, the Lord of my life and my Best Friend. I am now and forever Your own and You are mine. In Jesus name – Amen!"

Hallelujah! If you prayed that prayer and really meant it from your heart, you are now born again and your feet are firmly planted on the only road to the Father. It is important to renew your mind daily in the Word of God. Your spirit is new and reborn, alive in Christ, but your flesh will only change as you daily give your spirit dominion through the Word.

In today's politically correct society where seemingly "anything goes," and everyone has a their own belief about heaven, are we perhaps missing the real truth?

Karin Syren, a certified Life Coach, is the owner of So-lu'shunz Open Door Coaching, specializing in strategic planning for life and leadership. She has written numerous articles, several books and designed workshops and teleclasses, all on subjects designed to help people achieve their full potential in life. For more information or to schedule an exploratory meeting with Karin, contact her through her website at http://www.solushunz.net

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