ARTICLES

 His Way or the Highway

By Kimberly Lemler

 

In Frank Sinatra’s most famous song, ole blue eyes crooned, “I did it my way…” The sentiment sounds good on the surface and we’ve all sung along with this catchy tune, but if Frankie’s way was not God’s way, then the “my way” in that song should have more appropriately been written, “I did it the wrong way”.

 

We have choices to make in this life. We have a choice, when we come upon a fork in the road of life’s decisions, to take the left path or to take the right path. One direction is a way of safety and security, and the other way is a way of death and destruction. The good news about this junction at the fork is that there is a big neon sign in place telling us which direction to take. We don’t have to guess!

 

God, in Deut. 30:19, set before us a choice of life or death: “This day I call heaven and earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live.”  Life is associated with blessings and death is associated with curses.  It’s an open book test with a clear answer, yet the vast majority of people, Christians included, regrettably get it wrong.  

 

If…Then…

 

I remember back in high school I took a computer class. Back in those days, we didn’t have personal computers and the internet was many years away. I learned how to write programs on an old Wang computer.  One assignment was to create a program on a long sheet of paper using a plastic flow chart as a template. The whole program was full of if-then statements. “If this amount of money is less than $25, then go this direction. If it is more than $25, then go this direction.”

 

The if-then statement is the most basic of all the control flow statements. It tells your program to execute a certain section of code only if a particular test evaluates to true. This whole concept works the same way with God.  There are over 500 if-then statements in the Word .Let me show you some examples:

 

1.      If we say, "We have fellowship with him," while we continue to walk in darkness, we lie and do not act in truth. But if we walk in the light as he is in the light, then we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of his Son Jesus cleanses us from all sin.

2.      If we say, "We are without sin," (then) we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.

3.      If we acknowledge our sins, (then) he is faithful and just and will forgive our sins and cleanse us from every wrongdoing.

4.      If we say, "We have not sinned,"(then) we make him a liar, and his word is not in us."

5.      If you abide in My word, (then) you are My disciples indeed." -John 8:31

6.      If you keep My commandments, (then) you will abide in My love." -John 15:10

7.      Paul says that the goodness of God is expressed "toward you...if you continue in His goodness. Otherwise you also will be cut off.” - Romans 11:22

8.      We have become partakers of Christ if we hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast to the end." -Hebrews 3:14

9.      John says that Christ's blood cleanses us from all sin and that we may experience Christian fellowship "if we walk in the light as He is in the light." - 1 John 1:7

10.  “That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, (then) you will be saved.”

 

Your Move

 

Have you ever played a game of chess? You set up the board and someone has to make the first move before the game can get under way. God tells us that in this life we are to be the ones to make the first move.  We must choose to move  and then act in faith. When we act, then He will react. He is always faithful to respond when we acknowledge His ways. And when we do, He will then direct our paths..

 

“In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths.” – Proverbs 3:6

 

 

Hitchin’ A Ride

 

The God we serve is a righteous and Holy God. He hates sin because sin leads to death.

 

“For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” – Romans 6:23.

He doesn’t want you to go down that path. He tells you how to avoid it and how you can dwell in a place of safety with Him. He has all the answers and desires more than anything that you choose His ways. But if you don’t choose the right path…His path, then you might as well start walking that highway and hitchin’ a ride with the world, taking your chances, because that’s the best it’s ever going to get in a life without God.   If you reject Him, (then) he will reject you…

"Therefore whoever confesses me before men, him I will also confess before My Father who is in heaven.” – Matthew 10:32

Copyright © 2006. Author Kimberly Lemler. All Rights Reserved.