The Only Way

 

"Who is it that overcomes the world? Only he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God"   - 1 John 5:5

 

 

I once worked with a man who had it all. He lives in California, in a beautiful 10,000 sq ft home overlooking the Pacific Ocean. He has 12 super cars, vacation homes in Sydney and Zurich, and a boat (yacht) docked at the marina.  When traveling colleagues would come to town, he was quick to have them over for an excursion along the Pacific coastline. Daily he would chose one his incredible sports cars to drive to and from the office and to his client locations. To the world he had made it, he was the picture of success that most would dream of. Based on the standards of this world, he has overcome the struggles of most and achieved much. I couldn't tell you of his faith or lack thereof, but he genuinely felt untouchable in this world. So tell me, will any of these things help him when the Lord returns?

What does it mean to be an overcomer?   We learn from the scriptures that Jesus Christ is the ONLY way to the Father and eternal life.  Prosperity and achievements in this life are wonderful and should be sought after within the guidance and commands of the Father.  Overcoming this world suggests breaking away from the control of human interests.   In Exodus 20 we are taught the Ten Commandments.
     #1: I am the Lord your God
     #2: Do not have any God's before Me
     #3: You shall not make for yourself an idol


The first 3 commandments are very clear about the position of God relative to the things of man. The things of this world that draw you away from God must be overcome in order to reach God. Beyond just these three commandments that clearly articulate that there is only one true God, we must be able to overcome the sins of this world: Adultery, lust, greed, pride, murder, stealing and other unrighteous acts. The thing is you can't overcome these things without Jesus Christ. As hard as you might try, you cannot be found free of sin and an overcomer of the world, without the strength of Christ on your side. Christ will stand before the throne of God one day and introduce you as His servant "washed by the blood of the lamb and worthy of heaven". This is what overcoming means; full reliance on Jesus Christ as the only way to eternity with God the Father in paradise.

The world will tell you that all paths lead to the same God, so it doesn’t matter.  This is true, for there is only one God and therefore all roads must lead to that single source.  Unfortunately, as captured in Matthew 25:31-33 describes very clearly that we will all come before the throne of God, and we will be separated into two lines – the sheep (those who followed the Son of God) on his right and the goats (those who rejected His Son) on his left.  I take this literally, and I take the supporting verse just as literal.   In Matthew 7:22-23 Jesus tells us, “Many will say to Me on that day, “Lord, Lord . . .” and I will declare to them, “I never knew you; Depart from Me. . . .”  So, I propose to you that is does matter.  It matters greatly whether you are choosing to follow Christ, and build a relationship with Him; or whether you are living for the world, and the false images and idols contained therein.







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