The Way, The Truth, And The Life

There's an old chorus we used to sing in our church back in the 70's.
It only has six lines, but has so much gospel truth in it.

Fortunately this blog does not have sound attached, so I will write the words instead of singing them:

I am the Way, the Truth and the Life, that's what Jesus said
I am the Way, the Truth and the Life, that's what Jesus said
Without the Way, there is no going,
Without the Truth, there is no knowing,
Without the Life, there is no living,
 I am the Way, the Truth and the Life, that's what Jesus said.

This is based on the words in the gospel of John chapter 14. Jesus is preparing the disciples for when He will no longer be with them in person. He says to not be troubled, and later He will call them to be with Him:
"Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in me. In my Fathers' house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. 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. And where I go you know, and the way you know". Philip said to Him, "Lord, we do not know where you are going, and how can we know the way?". And Jesus said to him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me".

We all dream of going to our version of a heaven when we die. In our minds we concoct our own vision of what this place looks like, map our path to get there, and set our own standards of who can and can't get in . Thinking we are wise, we make and build our own tower of Babel, endeavouring to make it to heaven by our own efforts.

Without the Way there is no going

But since God is the Head Honcho in heaven, it seems only fitting that He sets the criteria for entry, not us.
The Bible says "wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and many find it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it" (Matt 7:13-14).

We naturally tend towards the broad and easy way, because that is the way we are programmed. But we are only fooling ourselves, not God:
" For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them. For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse,  because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Professing to be wise, they became fools, and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man—and birds and four-footed animals and creeping things." (Romans 1:18-22).

So, we have in effect deliberately kicked God off His throne, and replaced Him with our own 'God', to suit our fleshly, selfish desires. We are risking standing before God on Judgement Day, only for Him to say "I never knew you, depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!" (Matthew 7:23). All our good works and intentions count for nought without Jesus' payment for our sins on our behalf. Placing our faith in Jesus, and the price He paid is the only way to eternal life.

Jesus therefore is the 'narrow gate' and "The Way" through which we enter heaven. 

Without the Truth, there is no knowing

As we read earlier, God has made His attributes evident so that all may have a fore-knowledge of Him. These attributes can also be found in scripture.

Therefore any character trait that is in direct contrast to the God described in the Bible is false.

Without God, we would not have a concept of afterlife. We would have no yearning to be going anywhere or doing anything. In concocting our own way to heaven, we are avoiding the real truth. With everyone's personal rendition, how can we know if our version is true?
Well, since scripture is the inspired word of God, and one of Jesus' titles is 'the Word of God', we can trust what He says. The same claims the Bible makes are as relevant today as the day they were written:

God is the true God;

• But the Lord is the true God; He is the living God and the everlasting King. (Jer 10:10)
• And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent. (John 17:3).

 God is a truthful God;

• ...it is impossible for God to lie. (Hebrews 6:18).
• ...in hope of eternal life which God, who cannot lie, promised before time began (Tit 1:2).
• He testifies to what he has seen and heard, but no one accepts his testimony. Whoever has accepted it has certified that God is truthful. (John 3:32-33).

God is truth;

• Your righteousness is an everlasting righteousness, And Your law is truth. (Ps 119:142).
• Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth. (John 17:17).
• And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth. (John 1:14).
• For Your mercy reaches unto the heavens, and Your truth unto the clouds. (Ps 57:10). 

One of the most satisfying things about the triune God is that He never changes. He:

• existed before time began (John 1:1-2),
• created the heavens and the earth (Genesis 1:1),
• was born of a virgin (Is 7:14),
• died on the cross for our sins (Mark 15:34-37),
• rose again on the third day (1 Thess 4:14),
• ascended to heaven, and is seated at the right hand of God (Heb 8:1).

We can trust Jesus, as everything He said has, or will come to pass - exactly the way He said it, and exactly the time He set for it to happen. No other person (or religion) can claim that 100% accuracy, so to believe in someone or something else is dangerous folly.

Jesus therefore is 'The Truth' by which we enter heaven.

Without the Life, there is no living

I'm not going to tell you to give your life to Jesus and life will be wonderfully sweet - that would be a lie. Going through the narrow gate, and walking the narrow path is no easy feat. It was designed to be that way.
It is interesting the word Jesus used here - from the word 'narrow, or 'strait' in the King James Version. Strong's dictionary has three definitions for strait (Greek 'Thlibo'):

• 1) to press (as grapes), press hard upon
• 2) a compressed way
  1. narrow straitened, contracted
• 3) metaph. to trouble, afflict, distress

(Source http://www.biblestudytools.com/lexicons/greek/kjv/thlibo.html)


Can you think of a time in your life when you would have passed through a compressed, contracted, narrow way that caused you distress? Yes, that's right - on your birth-day!
Now it makes sense why Jesus would say in John 3:3, "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.”. Becoming a Christian is not just a matter of exchanging one type of lifestyle for another. It requires a whole new rebirth, transplanting a poisoned heart for one that is embedded with God's desires:
"I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will take the heart of stone out of your flesh and give you a heart of flesh."(Ez 36:26).

This new life is by way of repentance - falling prostrate before God and admitting that we have fallen short of His standards and done exactly the opposite of what He has told us to do.
Repentance is not easy. The old flesh fights to stay in darkness. A baby feels very safe and warm in the fluids of it's mother's womb - but if it stays there, it will die. The way out, however,  is not smooth. It has to pass through a constricted narrow passage that almost crushes its' tiny little body. But when it comes through the other side, it takes its' first breath, and starts living and growing in its' brand new world.
In the same way, giving up our old life crushes us. Admitting we are wrong, and throwing ourselves at the mercy of God hurts, because it goes against our former nature.
But it is necessary. And passing through this narrow restrictive channel and out the other side brings us into new life in Christ. And when we look back, we will know that the narrow way was just an inconvenience, a means through which new life is attained.

So when the bible says 'Jesus is the life', it does not just mean a 'different way of life' or 'different life style'. It means a brand new life, as if the old person has now died, and you are a completely new person.
We are now cloaked with the garment of salvation, and clothed with righteousness (Is 61:10).
"And if Christ is in you, the body is dead because of sin, but the Spirit is life because of righteousness" (Rom 8:10).

And when you stand before God on Judgement Day, He will not see your old life, He will see you clothed with His Son's righteousness, and will say "Welcome to heaven, good and faithful child"

Jesus, therefore, is "The Life", through which we enter heaven. The only other alternative is death in our old selves.


I am the Way, the Truth and the Life, that's what Jesus said
I am the Way, the Truth and the Life, that's what Jesus said
Without the Way, there is no going,
Without the Truth, there is no knowing,
Without the Life, there is no living,
 I am the Way, the Truth and the Life, that's what Jesus said.
 
Recommended website to visit:http://anotherinterviewwithgod.com/

Blessings.