December 7th, 2005
Death cannot be Avoided
Only One Way to God
Exo 16:1-8 On the fifteenth day of the second month after they had left Egypt, the whole company of Israel moved on from Elim to the Wilderness of Sin which is between Elim and Sinai. The whole company of Israel complained against Moses and Aaron there in the wilderness. The Israelites said, "Why didn't GOD let us die in comfort in Egypt where we had lamb stew and all the bread we could eat? You've brought us out into this wilderness to starve us to death, the whole company of Israel!" GOD said to Moses, "I'm going to rain bread down from the skies for you. The people will go out and gather each day's ration. I'm going to test them to see if they'll live according to my Teaching or not. On the sixth day, when they prepare what they have gathered, it will turn out to be twice as much as their daily ration." Moses and Aaron told the People of Israel, "This evening you will know that it is GOD who brought you out of Egypt; and in the morning you will see the Glory of GOD. Yes, he's listened to your complaints against him. You haven't been complaining against us, you know, but against GOD." Moses said, "Since it will be GOD who gives you meat for your meal in the evening and your fill of bread in the morning, it's GOD who will have listened to your complaints against him. Who are we in all this? You haven't been complaining to us--you've been complaining to GOD!
The process of dying cannot be stopped, no matter how healthy we eat, nor how much we exercise, we are all growing older and death is catching up to us each day we live. The choice we do have is how do we want to live before death calls. There are many different paths in life, and they all have in common the end which is death, but there is one path that leads beyond the grave to everlasting life. The bible says it is few that ever find it.
Mat 7:13-14 "Enter through the narrow gate because the gate and road that lead to destruction are wide. Many enter through the wide gate. But the narrow gate and the road that lead to life are full of trouble. Only a few people find the narrow gate.
The path to God, is the pathway of the cross, many want God, but few are willing to take the path that truly leads to Him. The life of Christ was not just to die for our sins but to show us the way to the Father. There are no shortcuts, Christ is the way to the Father, and Christ says unless we are willing to give up everything, and take up our cross and follow Him, we are not worthy of Him.
Mat 7:13 "Don't look for shortcuts to God. The market is flooded with surefire, easygoing formulas for a successful life that can be practiced in your spare time. Don't fall for that stuff, even though crowds of people do.
People are not always what they seem to be. One can seem to be a powerful agent of God, motivational, inspirational, with great results, big crowds, miracles etc., but unless they are preaching the way to God through the cross they are misleading there people, cutting them short, taking them down the wide path, the easy way to God, in which there is no easy way to God.
The Way of the Cross
Phi 3:18-19 There are many out there taking other paths, choosing other goals, and trying to get you to go along with them. I've warned you of them many times; sadly, I'm having to do it again. All they want is easy street. They hate Christ's Cross. But easy street is a dead-end street. Those who live there make their bellies their gods; belches are their praise; all they can think of is their appetites.
The children of Israel had been delivered from Egypt (salvation experience), and now were in the wilderness (sanctification process), on their way to the Promised Land (destiny). The purpose of God for the children of Israel, was to set them apart, as a chosen people, a holy nation, (1 Pe.2:9), that all of the world would see Him through them. Before God could entrust Israel with the Promised Land He had to deliver Egypt (the world) from their hearts. For the ways of God could not be known if the children of Israel weren't willing to follow.
The children of Israel wanted what God promised them, but once they started experiencing what it takes to get there, many weren't willing to go. We can get awfully comfortable in our sin, it is easier to give in than let go. The enemy works in our life, not to always make things hard, but at times to make things seem easy, he will even make us believe we are on a pathway, going in a direction that we are not.
It is by grace that we are saved, it is a gift from God (Ep. 2:8). Now this gift is life, and a life can only be received through the exchange of another. Our life must be given for His life (salvation) to be received. Salvation is just the beginning, we are now being processed, formed, made into His image, so that we can be set apart, and be entrusted with the purpose we were created for, to reveal His glory to the world.
For most jobs that require any major responsibilities, one must go to school and graduate before an employer will hire them. Few are those that like school, it takes work. Also, before team's plays a game, they must practice hard and prepare themselves accordingly if they expect to win. So, also as God's elect we must realize that before we get the prize, there is a road we must travel. It would be nice if there was another way, and many do try to find it, and in the process they discredit who God really is. The only way to God is death, not physical, but death to one's will, one's ways, and alive to God's will, God's ways. That we like Christ can say Father, not my will but your will be done, and therefore take up His cross and follow Him, to partake in His suffering and experience His resurrection power (Ph. 3:10).