The Way of Life
I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
John 14:6
The story of creation as told in Genesis 1–3 reveals that God designed humanity to live in a certain way and that His way was perfect (see 2 Samuel 22:31). God had intended for His children to draw on His strength and receive power to live the way He had designed for them to live. David understood this concept when he wrote, “It is God who arms me with strength and keeps my way secure” (verse 33). Later, in the days of the Early Church, believers in Christ would say that they “belonged to the Way” (Acts 9:2). They knew that Jesus was the only way to God (see John 14:6).
Every object that humans have created has been designed to function in only one way. A computer can perform many functions, but it has to be used the way the manufacturer intended. If you have never read the manufacture’s instruction book, there isn’t much you can do with a computer. If you ignore the instructions and decide to use the computer the way you want, it will be a worthless tool. However, if you mastered the instruction book, the computer can perform incredible functions. Likewise, we have been designed to live in a certain way as revealed by the Creator’s instruction book. Little knowledge of the Bible results in limited potential of fulfilling our destiny.
We will be tempted to live in other ways relying on our own strength and resources. We will be tempted to lean on our own understanding instead of all ways acknowledging God, thinking that we know what is best for our own lives. In our pride, we may even deceive ourselves into thinking we don’t need the help of God and others. All of these ways will seem right to us, but in the end they only lead to death (see Proverbs 16:25).
We may also be tempted to question God’s wisdom in creating us the way we are and for not giving us more favorable circumstances in which to live. This is much like a piece of pottery questioning the way it was made and the purpose the creator had in making it. As Paul states, “Who are you, a human being, to talk back to God? ‘Shall what is formed say to the one who formed it, “Why did you make me like this?”’ Does not the potter have the right to make out of the same lump of clay some pottery for special purposes and some for common use?” (Romans 9:20-21).
The key for successful living is to know God, learn His ways, and then live accordingly by faith in the power of the Holy Spirit. The Bible is clear that we are not to live in our own strength but only in the power of the Holy Spirit. Paul wrote, “Let the one who boasts boast in the Lord” (1 Corinthians 1:31). As humans created in God’s image, we will only fulfill our purpose when we follow the path that our Creator has designed for us—when we “boast” in God’s wisdom and strength, and not our own.
In David’s song of praise to God, he wrote, “I have kept the ways of the Lord; I have not done evil by turning from my God” (2 Samuel 22:22). What a world this would be if all God’s creation could say the same.
a few questions to ponder:
To what did David attribute his success over his enemies in 2 Samuel 22:21-25?
How is personal rebellion in conflict with “the way?” What is the basis for people making that choice?
How is personal pride in complete contrast with boasting in the Lord?
What inner conflicts do you sense when confronted with the choice of living God’s way or your way?
What external forces or temptations are likely to draw you away from knowing and living God’s way?
Neil T. Anderson is the founder of Freedom in Christ Ministries. He began the ministry in 1989 and continues to spread the message of freedom to this day.