Road

<<pathway for travel>>

There is a wide, easy road that leads to destruction while a narrow road leads to life and only the righteous can walk on it (Isa 35:8-10; Mt 7:13,14). The pathway to heaven is via our ‘wilderness walk’ here on earth. Each day we are getting closer to heaven and hopefully more like Jesus because we have correctly handled the issues of that day. Always be thankful for the way the Lord has led and remained faithful to you (Deut 8:2; Heb 13:5).

We are to ponder or give serious thought to the paths we take, to ensure they are upright before God. As we acknowledge Him, He will direct our path, so we can testify, “I being in the way the Lord lead me” (Gen 24:27; Prov 3:6, 4:26). As He has individual experiences and circumstances tailor-made for us, it is essential to walk the path designed for us, not

Roads are for progressing to our destination, not parking on

trying to copy that of someone else. Walk hand in hand with the good shepherd who wants to guide you personally by the indwelling Holy Spirit (Ps 23:1-6). Be open to His voice saying, “This is way, walk in it” (Isa 30:21).  

It was prophesied that a prophet (John the Baptist) would come crying out, “Prepare the way of the Lord, make a straight highway for our God” (Isa 40:3; Mt 3:3). Don’t allow the trials and pressures to hinder your progress along the route to heaven, instead endeavour to remove the obstacles and misconceptions that people have about Jesus and the salvation that He wants to bless them with. Am I helping lead others on the pathway to heaven or putting an obstacle in their way? (Lk 17:2; 1 Jn 2:10).  “Set up road signs; put up guideposts...” – be active in pointing people to Christ as the only way to heaven because man’s approach is ineffective (Prov 14:12; Jer 31:21; Act 4:12).

The parable of the Good Samaritan centred on the Jericho road, renowned for its isolation and danger for travelers, while it was on the road to Emmaus that Jesus befriended two perplexed travellers (Lk 10:30-37, 24:13-35). The desert road from Jericho to Gaza was where Philip explained to the Ethiopian about Jesus, while on the road from Jerusalem to Damascus Saul met Christ (Act 8:26, 9:1-17).

One of Satan's lies is, 'All roads (or many different paths) lead to God'. Yet this contradicts the exclusive claim of Jesus who said, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to

Only one road leads to heaven – are you on it?

the Father but through Me" (Jn 14:6). All other pathways based on the claims of anyone else will end in hell for it is only through Jesus Christ can we experience salvation (Jn 3:3,16; Act 4:12). It is through repentance and belief we get onto this path to heaven, then ongoing obedience is essential to reach the desired destination (Mt 7:21; Mk 1:15).

The saying, 'The road to hell is paved with good intentions', mean that it is not enough for someone to make plans or promises, but they must also do those things. This relates particularly to accepting Christ as Saviour and living for Him – the intention will not save as it is only when acted on is it effective.

The Romans Road to salvation uses verses solely from the book of Romans: "For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God" states no one is innocent (Rom 3:23); "For the wages of sin is [eternal] death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord" outlines the consequences of sin (Rom 6:23); "But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us" declares Jesus’ death paid for the price of our sins (Rom 5:8); "That if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved" states what we must do – believe in Him, trusting His death as the payment for our sins (Rom 10:9); the offer and assurance is "everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved" (Rom 10:13); the result of salvation is "Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ...Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus" (Rom 5:1, 8:1); a concluding promise is "For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord" (Rom 8:38,39).

See also: path, salvation, travel, way.