The Two Ways – Two Destinies

“Now you should say to this people, Thus says the Lord: Behold, I set before you the way of life and the way of death.”
There are two ways of living in this troubled world. The distinction between the two will be simply and clearly seen.
The first, and most natural to us is an alienation from the life of God. At heart men are antagonistic to the Lordship of Jesus Christ. Furthermore, man does not want to be born again. Why?

Well, in this life the flesh and the arm of flesh are the only known source of strength. Some call it “brute-force.” Our own pleasures or perhaps that of someone else is all that we regard or consider. Isn’t it so? A loved one, a spouse, children, family, friends? But, it is all the same – the pleasure and will of man – mortals.

In carrying out the purposes of the natural mind, some see that wealth is power, and that it brings honour, affluence and independence. Hence, so, the energies are applied especially in the way of securing riches. They look forward to an hour of ease and plenty, when some of the toil and care of the world may be put off.

Another sees honour, influence, riches, perhaps coming through personal qualities, intellectual successes or attainments. He trusts in the power of understanding to give him superiority, authority, and influence over his fellow man. Hence, he seeks wisdom and knowledge. Always using the world’s standard of wisdom and power and recognized among his fellow men… in essence… importance.

Still another is content if he could not be a part or reckoned among the great men of earth. He considers or thinks only simply of his own profit, pleasure, and ease or comfort. He is a “double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.” (Jam. 1:8). One finds happiness in traveling, in scenes of beauty, in enjoyment of married life. While another finds in the flesh, his principle enjoyments. He lives to serve his appetites and passions… the lowest form of animal life. “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways, says the Lord.” (Isa. 55:8).

We could go on and on and see there are many variations from the indelible stamps of character we set forth above. But, everything and all tend toward the one great and unmistakable principle of pleasing “self” and “humanity”, and the arm of flesh remains the one and sole source of strength; these almost impenetrable self-contained, truth-denying mechanisms.

We build our own walls of narcissism. Remember Narcissus in Greek mythology? He was so beautiful and spent so much time admiring his own reflection that he forgot to eat and subsequently starved to death. Perhaps this is a portrait of our society today. We erect walls of need, desire, and self so high that we don’t allow anybody or any new idea or truths into our lives.

Therefore, one step or way, first, is to aim a deadly blow to “self”. There are seven prominent forms. (2 Cor. 5:14, 15).

1. Self-trust (Rom. 10:1,2)
2. Self-help (John 15:4-6)
3. Self-will (James 4:13, 15)
4. Self-seeking (Mat. 16:24,25)
5. Self-pleasing (Gal. 6:14)
6. Self-defense (1 Peter 2:19-23; 3:16)
7. Self-glory (Gal. 6:14)

We can, therefore, in answer to these in part, say, “Crucified with Christ, I crucify the pleasures of ambition, avarice, covetousness, appetite, amusements.” (Eph. 5:11)

We are dead to ambition, save as we desire “to be found in Him.” Dead to avarice, save as we “covet earnestly the best gifts.” Dead to appetite, save as we “hunger and thirst after righteousness.” Dead to the alluring pleasures of the world.

“This is the way of those who are foolish. And of their posterity who approve their sayings.” (Ps. 49:13). Furthermore, “The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, But he who heeds counsel is wise.” (Prov. 12:15).

In fact, however, a better way has been presented to this decaying world, a way that is diametrically opposed to the one we have been considering. According to this, everyone is but a dead man… dead, dead, dead! The Father and Creator is the source of life and strength, and His pleasure, the one principle to guide us in this life.

Now, the Word, which we suppose or think or judge to be the Word of our salvation teaches that God is a Spirit, and that we are here, now, and always… to live in the Spirit, and not in the flesh.

Life and strength are to come down from above, by or through believing and waiting or remain steadfastly standing on the promises of God. He that has “everlasting strength calls to every man to take hold of His strength, and assuring us that all things are possible to him that believes.” (Mat. 19:6). Now, because believing, takes hold of that everlasting strength.

Thus, the life of God, thereby, is open to us. All of His wisdom, all of His might, everyone may have by simply taking it. It should be understood right here that God made man to live upon this original or God’s design or plan. God’s wisdom is imparted to teach men once again the true and original way, which man has so sorrowfully perverted, and to bring him back again to the track or true way, from which he left.

Now, man was made to eat, to enjoy food, to enjoy friends, to be happy, and perfectly at peace and rest, with all goodness in his heart toward his fellow men. “He guards the paths of justice, and preserves the way of his saints.” (Prov. 2:8). “Then will I give them one heart and one way, that they may fear Me forever, for the good of them and their children after them.” (Prov. 32:39).

We may well understand that, according to the power of the Spirit which we live, and which lives in us, miracles may be wrought, the sick healed, the dead raised… anything may be done, which will be overflowing to the glory of God.

The Lord wishes us to know His power, to bridge every gap or chasm in our life. (1 Cor. 10:13). The Lord wants us not only to live in His life, but, forever, be guided according to His will, and His ability to work in us… if we allow Him.
He is the “way and the truth as well as the life,” and “if we live in the Spirit, we must also walk in the Spirit.” (Rom. 8:1; Gal. 5:16; Jer. 6:16).

Here is open to us the Father’s work; not ours. We are not now to seek our own and please ourselves… self… but, all to become channels through which the Spirit of God may be poured in upon this world. But, the lazy man says, “there is a lion in the road! A fierce lion is in the streets!” (Prov. 26:13).

We are to come into harmony with the life of God in every sense, so that He may fulfill the promise, “I will dwell in them and walk in them.” (2 Cor. 6:16).

Who has not some noble ambition or endeavor to live this way of life? And, to say with the Apostle Paul, “I am crucified with Christ, nevertheless I live, yet not I, but Christ liveth in me.” (Phil. 1:21). Who does not admire the wisdom, the goodness, and power of Jesus Christ? And, His way? (1Cor. 12:31).

Let every child of God and Christian in the truth keep well in view the distinction between these two lives, and not mix up or confuse the flesh with the Spirit, self with the Lord and selfish interests with the interests of God, but to live as Jesus did… an affectionate, selfless, servant.

Let him trust in God for wisdom, and words, and strength. It can be done with prayer and humble obedience through the Holy Spirit’s work in us. “Commit your way to the Lord, trust also in Him, and He shall bring it to pass.” (Ps. 37:5). As for God, “His way is perfect; The word of the Lord is proven; He is a shield to all who trust in Him.” (Ps. 18:30).

I was driving once on a darkened road, and could not find my way. Searching, I found a service station, and asked for directions to the main highway. Showing the gentleman my map, he answered, “Oh! That is an ancient map. Let me give you a new one.” I then easily found my way to my destination. We, too, need a “new map,” “a new way.”

Our generation of believers are witnessing stirring events written in the prophesies of the Old and New Testaments.
With Him we can face the new way or path and follow unafraid, for you don’t walk alone… “for Thou art by my side, Thy rod and Thy staff they comfort me.” (Ps. 23:4).

Beautiful and glorious destinies are ahead for the coming year. Don’t limit the limitless God. It is part of our nature to want to live in the yesterdays of life and follow the same worn downtrodden paths, and to live in the days that just don’t come back. They are gone!

We would rather relive the strife, problems, the bad habits, the heart aches, and stumbling steps and blocks, than to face the uncertain.

The past sticks on us, and clings tenaciously, and like barnacles on the bottom side of a fishing boat, would rather slow or stop us from pushing out from the shore and launching into the deep.

Look upward and forward to a higher, nobler, and fuller life. Upward to heaven. Nearer to God… Nearer to Thee.
Keep your eyes upon Jesus as we now face the dawn of the New Year… 2005!
AMEN.

John Theodorou, U.S.A.