We live in very bizarre times! We legalize
sin, killing infants at the moment of birth and calling it choice,
putting to death the elderly and those with severe illnesses, and
calling it mercy, all the while legislating away the one Truth which
provides all the answers to all the questions, all the pain and all the
confusion of the world. How can we doubt the presence of the enemy in
the earth when lies and death are legally acceptable, and Truth and Life
are politically incorrect?
Religion, in this "brave new world," has become acceptable anywhere
and everywhere – so long as it does not point the way to Jesus Christ.
Buddha and his shrines are a regular sight in retail businesses. Wicca
(the religion of witchcraft) is recognized by many as the fastest
emerging religion among young people of high school age. Freedom of
religion is touted, but the spoken name of Jesus is not only
unacceptable, and can even lead to the arrest of children.
Ask the man on the street if he's going to heaven, and he will more
than likely tell you that he's believes he will because he's "tried to
be a good person." "Good" is such a relative concept that we have no
choice but to conclude that he is attempting the impossible - - to
create his own road to heaven. Not knowing what it is, or where it is,
he cannot possibly succeed!
There are many roads we might travel, and we have chosen the road we
now travel. You might argue you did not choose your road; it is a
matter of circumstances out of your control. True. many were set on the
wrong road as children, but if we are right now on the wrong road, it
is by our own choice. We can no longer blame our parents' ignorance for
our walk outside the Truth! It's time to come to maturity.
Jesus encouraged His disciples, telling them, "I go to prepare a
place for you. And If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come
again, and receive you to Myself; that where I am, you may be also."
(John 14)
When asked how they were to know the way, Jesus made what remains one
of the clearest statements imaginable. He says, "I am the way (the
path), and the truth (the essence of what is true) and the life (zoé,
the God-kind of life); no one comes to the Father, but through Me."
In His conversation with Nicodemus (John 3:1-21), Jesus says, "Truly
truly I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see (this
denotes physical sight) the kingdom of God." He goes on to explain that
physical birth brings one into the earth, but rebirth of the human
spirit, by the Holy Spirit gives one an open door into the kingdom. He
tells Nicodemus "you must be born from above." (verse 7) Furthermore,
whoever (that's us) believes in Him will have eternal life (verse16).
But how do we do this?
Romans 10:9 gives us the process, "if you confess with your mouth (in
total unity of assent with the mind and spirit) Jesus as Lord and
believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you shall be
saved." The word used here for saved is the Greek word sozo, which
denotes both temporal (right here and now in this life), as well as
eternal deliverance.
Have you acknowledged Jesus as the Way, the only Way? Perhaps you
have, but you've allowed detours and side trips. If you've never
acknowledged Him as the only Way, or if you'd like to get back on track,
pray this prayer out loud and from your heart:
"Lord, I confess that I've been on the wrong road, one of my own
making. Lord Jesus, I confess that too often I have done things my way,
attempting to create my own path to Heaven. I've diluted your crystal
clear word, to make it seem more palatable. Now Lord, I give up my own
way and repent for each wrong footstep I've taken."
"I confess now with my mouth that You stepped from heaven into the
earth and took on human form, and You died for me, paying the penalty
for my wrong doing. You were raised from the dead and ever live as my
staunchest Sponsor, Supporter, and Backer before the Throne."
I confess the name of Jesus out my mouth as the One and only Lord and
Savior and I ask You to come into my heart and be my personal Redeemer,
the Lord of my life and my Best Friend. I am now and forever Your own
and You are mine. In Jesus name – Amen!"
Hallelujah! If you prayed that prayer and really meant it from your
heart, you are now born again and your feet are firmly planted on the
only road to the Father. It is important to renew your mind daily in
the Word of God. Your spirit is new and reborn, alive in Christ, but
your flesh will only change as you daily give your spirit dominion
through the Word.