The Way, The Truth, And The Life
Much has been stated over the years about the Christ. Most know only what they have been told by others and have never read the Bible, the only source of truth about Christ, and what Jesus would have people do today. Additionally, there are those who are embracing the ideas of “his truth”, “her truth” or “their truth” as though truth can be altered to accommodate a mood or situation. This type of allusion to truth is not Bible truth, nor is it the truth about the Christ.
In John 14:6, we find a recorded passage, spoken by the Lord Himself to convey what He is, as well as His purpose for coming. When Thomas asked “and how can we know the way?” Jesus replied: I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. It is important to fully understand what this means as each of these describe the Christ, and none can have the blessing of the Father except through the Son of God.
This was prophesied in Isaiah 35:8, long before the Word became flesh while God was still guiding Israel through the prophets till the Messiah should come. This was the only reason Israel was separated out as a nation. And an highway shall be there, and a way, and it shall be called The way of holiness; the unclean shall not pass over it; but it shall be for those: the wayfaring men, though fools, shall not err therein. This was necessary as man has never been able to guide himself as Proverbs 14:12 shows. There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death. Therefore, we all need a “way” and Christ is the only way that we can be directed to the Father that we might be saved eternally.
The Lord also stated that He is “the truth”. In John 8:31-32 we find Jesus speaking to the Jews which believed on Him. Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; 32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. Even these were not fully aware of the impact of the statement of Jesus here. Verse 33 shows their misunderstanding and verse 34 shows unto what they were “bound”. They answered him, We be Abraham's seed, and were never in bondage to any man: how sayest thou, Ye shall be made free? 34 Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin. (John 8:33-34). Considered in conjunction with the Words the Spirit gave Paul in Romans 6:16 shows that we have choice in the matter. We can choose to sin, or we can be obedient. Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness? Obedience to the truth, and it alone, puts one on the right way.
Jesus also stated that He is the life. Only the way of truth leads one to life. We are aware that we are “alive” now in the flesh. When Christ spoke of being life, He was not speaking of physical, fleshly life, as all of God’s creatures have been granted this. In John 12:24-26 Jesus explained what true life is and how one is to walk the way of truth to have life. Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit. 25 He that loveth his life shall lose it; and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal. 26 If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will my Father honour.
This is also more fully explained in Romans 8:13-14 as the Spirit had the apostle Paul write. For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify (put to death) the deeds of the body, ye shall live. 14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. We must “put to death” the deeds of the flesh to walk as the Spirit directs in the Word of God. To be “led of the Spirit”, means to be guided by what the Spirit sent to mankind as promised by the Christ in John 16:13: Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come. The Spirit showed the apostles the only way of truth that leads to life.
The “things to come” at the time of the apostles was the church. After Christ died, was buried, and resurrected, He ascended back to the Father with His precious blood, the only atoning Sacrifice that was able to give life. When the Lord was on earth, He told us in the latter part of John 10:10 why He came. He came to show us the way, give us the truth, and provide the means for eternal life. I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. That abundant life is eternal life.
This is why He spoke the Words we find in John 6:63. This is also why He sent the Spirit to give us the Word. It is the spirit that quickeneth (maketh alive); the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life. I challenge you today to do as Moses directed God’s O.T. people, Israel in Deuteronomy 30:19. I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live: Both you and those who follow you (your seed), can lay hold on that eternal life, if all will just follow the truth and travel the way God has provided through Christ and His Holy Word. Christ is indeed “the way, the truth, and the life”. Won’t you obey Him today? Let us help you find the way of truth that leads to abundant and eternal life.
Dennis Strickland – Mooresville church of Christ
