Walking with the Wise #136: One Way

“In the path of righteousness is life,

and in its pathway there is no death.”
—Proverbs 12:28

Time and time again throughout the Scriptures two ways of living are presented for us to choose—the way of life and the way of death. The way of life is explained as difficult, but ultimately rewarding, while the path of death appears as easy, but ultimately leads to destruction. One is portrayed as “narrow” while the other way is “wide.” Jesus told us to do everything possible to enter by the “narrow” way. He said,

“Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few”—Matthew 7:13-14.

Jesus, as He so often does, reiterates principles and truths found in the Old Testament. Living a righteous life will be rewarded, while living a selfish or self-indulgent life will end in death. In the path of righteousness, life is the end result and this life differs from the simple everyday life we live. It goes deeper—it is His life being given to us. The life of Christ is birthed in us and through Him we don’t even taste death (cf. John 8:52). In fact, He died so that we might not have to. His death becomes our death and His resurrection life becomes ours (cf. Romans 6:4). As the author of Hebrews wrote,

“But we see Him who for a little while was made lower than the angels, namely Jesus, crowned with glory and honor because of the suffering of death, so that by the grace of God He might taste death for everyone”—Hebrews 2:9.

What about you, beloved? Are you walking the path of life or are you on the path that leads to death? Don’t be fooled—you are on one road or the other. There is no in-between. And if you think that you are on neither, then I can fully assure you by the testimony of God’s holy Word that you are on the path headed to destruction. The only answer is to repent and believe—turn from your sin and submit your life to Jesus and He will save and transform you so that you will have His death as your own and His life as your own, both now and for eternity. Walk along that narrow path of righteousness. It may be hard and though no one may follow you, be certain that incredible life waits for you! Life beyond anything you can ever imagine! As Paul wrote,

“…as it is written, ‘What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined, what God has prepared for those who love Him’”—1 Corinthians 2:9.

Walk along that narrow path and live the righteous life that God desires. Remember, the greatest imaginable reward waits for those who live their life for Him! Amen.