I Am The Way

Dear Brethren,

Sometimes when we are taken advantage of by those in the world, we are tempted to turn around and beat people at their own game. We may justify our payback or retribution by reasoning that it is just plain wrong to let them get away "scott free" - without even a scratch. "Somebody needs to teach them a lesson," often seems like a more reasonable approach. But Jesus said, "Resist not evil." Why are we so often inclined or predisposed to act in the wrong way? "My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord." (Isaiah 55:8) It is because we have not learned to think and act like God. "There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death." (Proverbs 14:12) 

During Jesus' public ministry, it was a well recognized fact that that He taught the way of God in truth (Matthew 22:16, Mark 12:14, Luke 20:21). John adds a clarification to the synoptic Gospel accounts by quoting Jesus, "I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me." (John 14:6) 

For converted Christians - who follow the way and the teachings of Jesus Christ - there is a way to come out on top, but the answer is not to try to beat our adversary on his own playing field. The way to win is to look to God's way as a solution. Jesus gave us some examples - some hard examples because we are still carnally minded. Jesus said unto us, "Do not resist the evil man [who injures you], but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also. And if any man will sue thee at the law, and take away your shirt, let him also have your coat. And whosoever shall force you to go a mile, go two miles with him. Give to him that keeps begging from you, and do not turn away from him that would borrow from you." (Matthew 5:39-42)

Because we are carnally minded, we will say, "Those are good principles; those are good guidelines; those are good examples - figuratively speaking, but Jesus did not literally mean for us to go to those extremes - for if we did, we would soon be beaten, naked and broke!" Jesus is not implying that we should encourage the wickedness and iniquity of others, but that we should respond in a way that promotes Godliness. Paul said it this way, "Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good." (Romans 12:21) 

Jesus was struck on the face when He was blindfolded and at His trial, and He always practiced what He preached (Luke 22:64). Jesus answered the one who slapped His face, "If I have spoken evil, bear witness of the evil: but if well, why smitest thou me?" (John 18:23) Peter wrote of Christ's response to brutal attacks, "Who, when He was reviled, reviled not again; when He suffered, He threatened not; but committed Himself to Him [God the Father] that judgeth righteously." (1Peter 2:23) 

Brethren, Jesus set us an example that we should follow in His steps (1Peter 2:21).

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Sermon:

"I Am The Way"