The Two Ways

Dear Brethren,

We all want to believe that we are being led by God's Holy Spirit.  How can we know when we are being too smart for our own good?  When do our actions and motivations become unacceptable to God?  The answer is really quite simple - because, basically, there are only two ways of life.  Some people are "takers."  They think that is the way to success.  They are not able to stop and to realize that "taking," is a form of pride - whereas, "giving is a form of "humility."  Mr. Armstrong called the two ways, the "get way," or the "give way."  What kind of wisdom do we exhibit  - the wisdom of this world, or Godly wisdom?

"Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him show out of a good behavior his works with meekness of wisdom. But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth. This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish."  (James 3:13-15) 

There are lots of different ways to describe the two ways - but it always comes down to the same thing.  The right way vs. the wrong way.  Blessing vs. cursing.  Life vs. death.  Good vs. bad.  Solomon requested of the Lord, "Give therefore thy servant an understanding heart to judge thy people, that I may discern between good and bad."  (1Kings 3:9)

Some people tired of hearing Mr. Armstrong speak of the "Two Trees."  One Way was the Tree of Life, the other was not.  The truth is, the great majority of people never understood what he was saying.  They continued to be wise in their own eyes - while continuing in the wrong direction.  "Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits."  (Romans 12:16)

Only God's way produces success and blessings.  He speaks to us as Solomon taught his children.  "My son, hear the instruction of thy father, and forsake not the law of thy mother: For they shall be an ornament of grace unto thy head, and chains about thy neck."  The wrong way looks enticing and promises more. "My son, if sinners entice thee, consent thou not. If they say, Come with us, let us lay wait for blood, let us lurk privily for the innocent without cause: Let us swallow them up alive as the grave; and whole, as those that go down into the pit: We shall find all precious substance, we shall fill our houses with spoil: Cast in thy lot among us; let us all have one purse."

Brethren, to be forewarned is to be forearmed.  Do not be fooled by this world's way of glitter and seduction.  "My son, walk not thou in the way with them; refrain thy foot from their path: For their feet run to evil, and make haste to shed blood.  All those who choose the way of darkness - think it is light!  Their lives are cursed.  The end result is sorrow, misery and eventually, death.  "Surely in vain the net is spread in the sight of any bird.  And they lay wait for their own blood; they lurk privily for their own lives. So are the ways of every one that is greedy of gain; which takes away the life of the owners thereof."  (Proverbs 1:8-19)

We have no future without God's way.  God tells us in advance how things will turn out - there are no short cuts to the Kingdom of God.

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Sermon:

"The Two Ways"