No Way

"I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me " - John 14:6

There is something hidden in that verse that many people simply do not see, let alone understand. All we have to do is go back one verse to see that even the disciples didn't get it.

"How can we know the way?" - John 14:5

The way? What 'way'?

Jesus wasn't talking about directions to a particular earthly place. He was talking about a way of life. He was talking about Himself. HE is the way!

There is a way of life, and a way of death. Jesus wants us to live a godly life - in Him.

When we come to faith in Jesus we become changed. As Paul told us, it happens "in the twinkling of the eye." (1 Corinthians 15:52). It's instantaneous. It's like the sudden inhalation of air after holding one's breath underwater. Jesus wants us to breathe, in Him.

"In Him we live and move and have our being." - Acts 17:28

We need to quit thinking in terms of "religion" and concentrate on living a "way of life" that is pleasing to God. God wants us to be "holy." Why? Because HE is holy (Leviticus 19:2). God wants us to live a holy life, just like Jesus did.

"Umm . . . that's impossible!"

That's right. We are all sinners and are totally incapable of living 'a holy life.' 

“My prayer is not for them alone (the Apostles). I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message (that's us), ²¹that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me." - John 17:20-21

This is not to imply that "works" are needed. Rather, our works are a result of our being saved.

The world lives a certain way. That way is not the way that Jesus wants us to live.

"Do not be conformed to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind." - Romans 12:2

And how do we do that? We must become a new creation, in Him.

"If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come." - 2 Corinthians 5:17

Are you a new creation? Have you become changed? "Is there evidence that I've been changed?" Hmm, that's from a sing (link at bottom).

Jesus changes us when we meet Him. Need an example?

"Then Andrew brought Simon to meet Jesus. Looking intently at Simon, Jesus said, “Your name is Simon, son of John - but you will be called Cephas” (which means “Peter”).

Boom! Simon was changed. If there has been no change, have we really met Jesus?

Finally, to answer the question in verse 5, "How can we know the way?"

We already KNOW the way. We have trouble committing to beginning the journey. In a nutshell, "Admit that you're a sinner, Believe that Jesus died for your sins, and Forever Receive the gift of forgiveness and eternal life.

That's the way. The question is are we going to walk "in Him," a testimony to who HE us, who WE are, and WHOSE we are.

Live Like That - Sidewalk Prophets

Are You Washed In The Blood? / I'll Fly Away - Alan Jackson

Taqiyya

Taqiyya is a concept in Islam that allows Muslims, particularly Shia, to conceal their faith or religious identity when facing threats of persecution or danger to their lives. It serves as a means of self-protection and is derived from the Arabic word meaning "to shield oneself." - Duck Duck Go Search Assistant

Well, that's interesting. So, regarding the current situation in Iran, can the Islamic regime be trusted in their negotiations? They have been threatened by the U.S. They are in danger. Therefore, according to the definition above, they are allowed to lie.

Here's another thing about lying in the Islamic faith.

"Taqiyya has also been politically legitimised in Twelver Shi'ism, to maintain unity among Muslims and fraternity among Shia clerics." - Wikipedia

The current Iranian leaders adhere to Twelver Shi'ism, where lying is allowed in political situations to "maintain unity among Shia clerics."

What is Twekver Shi'ism?

Twelver Shi'ism is the largest branch of Shia Islam, which believes in a line of twelve Imams as the rightful spiritual and political successors to the Prophet Muhammad. This sect emphasizes the authority of these Imams, starting with Ali ibn Abi Talib and ending with Muhammad al-Mahdi, who is believed to be in occultation and will return at the end of times. - Duck Duck Go Search Assistant

Interesting. So, will it be Muhammad al-Mahdi against Jesus during "the end of times?" Hmm.🤔

Lying is one of the main differences between Islamic and Christian/Jewish faiths. The God of the Bible has a much different view about lying.

"Thou shalt not bear false witness." - Leviticus 19:11

"God is not a man, that he should lie." - Numbers 23:19

"I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father but through me." - John 14:6

Who would you trust? A god who says lying is not a sin? Or a God who says He IS the truth? Seems like a no-brainer to me.

No one has seen "The Cardboard Ayatollah" since the day his father was killed. Most say he is horribly disfigured. Others say he is dead. Either way, he is a liar, IMO.

The U.S. and Iran have been "negotiating" for months. There us no "war" going on. Just a couple of "children" pushing and shoving each other in the "playground." But a REAL war is brewing in the Middle East. You can read all about it in Ezekiel 38. We are not there yet, but things sure are taking shape.

Ezekiel 38

Next Thing You Know

My wife and I were watching one of "our" TV shows when they cut to a commercial. As is their habit on this show, they usually play some "bumper music," which they did. But instead of muting the song, which my wife usually does, she held the remote and just listened. We both really liked the song. But then it was gone. What was it?

That's where modern technology comes in handy. Most people our age can be incredibly clueless when it comes to technological advances, but, using Google, we did figure out who the artist was and quickly found the song on YouTube (link at bottom).

It was a country song. And although "country" isn't really our thing, we both really enjoyed listening to it. Here's a few of the lyrics:

'Cause next thing you know

You got a yard full of your kid's kids

And ya take 'em to church, teach 'em to fish

And ya tell 'em stories every chance you get

About how fast this life down here can go

That's the stage my wife and I are at. Our kids have kids. And we love it when they're in our yard.

As I listened to the song, the first thing I noticed was how my mind went back in time to our OWN marriage and how I have loved my wife through all of the changes along the way. 

The second thing that crossed my mind was the amazing grace that God has extended to us. We've had our ups and downs, just like most couples. But our love has always endured. We've put up with each other for over 49 years.

"Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good.

His love endures forever." - Psalm 139:1

I guess from this point on, the next thing you know, we'll both be in heaven, worshipping our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. As the song says, "our life down here" sure goes fast.

But God has been with us since before we were born. As it says in Jeremiah 1:5, "Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you."

I wonder . . . what would happen if we thought about God as we listened to that song? What if we thought about how He has watched over us and directed our steps all along the way. Would our relationship with Him, and our love for Him, grow stronger?

There's one way to find out . . .

Next Thing You Know - Jordan Davis