I’ve been thinking about something…

Why is it when we, as a generic group of people, hear that there is only one way to do something we innately rebel against that theology?

Why does it seem that we, again as a generic group of people, would rather ignore the sign or person that tells us the best route to take and instead insist on doing it “our own way”?

Why do we feel as if we know best even if we have no experience of the subject at hand?

Are we truly that rebellious of a people?

For example:

Your dad gives you directions to get to the store. He has seen that construction has stopped traffic through a different option and an accident has blocked another road that could be used- although it loops you far in the other direction before pointing you toward your destination anyway.

He says that “this route I am giving you is the only way to the destination.”

What emotion rises up in you upon hearing that?

Trust?

Or doubt?

How about a sense of “oh yeah, Pops: we’ll see about that” as you go your own way irritated? How dare the man who loves you try to tell you how to do something while seemingly limiting your options that could be more fun.

Does your dad have your best interest in mind or is he a killjoy know-it-all?

John 14:6 says this

Jesus said to him, “I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life; no one comes to the Father but through Me”.

That ONE verse stirs up alot of controversy…doubt…and anger.

The only way to the Father?

Really?

Seems limiting….and self serving…

God, the Father, loves us so much that He sent His Son to die so we could live eternally with Him.

Through His Son we gain access to a right relationship with a perfect God …

God has given us the way to the end destination and gave us a traveling companion in the Holy Spirit to guide us and yet we balk at the limitation of hearing “THE ONLY WAY”.

If someone told you, or your cell phone navigation system told you, the easiest, shortest, less hassle, no tolls route would you be tempted to say “naaaahhhh, I’d rather go the longer, harder way on my own with no map direction”?

Then why on earth do we feel we can figure out a better way to the Father than through the direction He has given us??

Through Jesus we have forgiveness of our sins, we are absolved (justified) of our guilt and declared free from all things that condemn us {Acts 13:38-39}.

Through Jesus we have peace in our troubles {John 14:27} and the possibility of an abundant life amidst our circumstances {John 10:11}.

Through Jesus we do not have to live in darkness {John 12:46}.

Through Jesus we have a helper in the Holy Spirit to be our Comforter, Strengthener, Advocate, Counselor, Intercessor {John 14:16}.

On our own. ..we have our limited wits, limited vision, limited strength. We also have an enemy who is seeking to lie, kill, and destroy us {John 10:11}- what weapon do we have against a determined enemy who never rests but, instead, waits to pounce when we try to rest?!

In Jesus, I have the Armor of God {Ephesians 6:13-17}.

Acts 13:15

Kinsmen, if you have any word of encouragement for the people, say it.

I am standing to say it~

Be free in Christ

Follow Him

Know where you are going

Know you are loved