“This is what the LORD says: “Stop at the crossroads and look around. Ask for the old, godly way, and walk in it. Travel its path, and you will find rest for your souls. But you reply, ‘No, that’s not the road we want!’” (Jeremiah 6:16 NLT)
These words were written several thousand years ago but they sound like they were written yesterday. The “No” in the passage is not a rejection of tradition. It is a rejection of the Truth.
The reality is that life offers us a choice of many roads. There are many different paths that we can follow. We have the freedom to choose which way we want to go. We have to understand, though, that even though we can pick our own road, that does not mean that it is the correct one.
Jesus said, “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.” (Matthew 7: 13-14)
As unpopular as it is, this what Christians have always believed. Jesus made it very clear that there was only one path, one road, that will take us to God. He taught that there was an ultimate Truth. In fact, he said that he was the Truth (John 14:6). In that verse, Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father but by me.”
I understand this goes against the grain of a culture that does not believe in an ultimate truth. The Christian Church is attacked as being bigoted, mean-spirited, narrow-minded, close-minded, etc. At the same time, mainstream, orthodox Christianity has maintained the same basic theology for the last 2000 years. We are not going to let culture tell us what we should believe or practice when we have the eternal Word of God showing us the way.
For sure, we Christians need to work hard to package our message in grace and love, or as Paul said, “seasoned with salt.” And, let’s get rid of the angry Christian stereotype. We should share the message of the Gospel boldly and in a vibrant and attractive manner. But let’s never apologize for the Truth that has changed our lives and still has the power to transform people and nations.
Annie and I are serving the Lord in the United States, Africa, South America, and India. Would you consider joining our team? Just click here to get involved. Thanks so much!
