Niagara Falls Church of Christ

2011 Tennessee Ave.,  Niagara Falls, NY  14305

(716)285-6534 (716)285-6534 (for phone and fax)

James Lawrence, Herschel Walker - Elders

Eddie J. Cornelius, Minister Emeritus

God Sheds His Grace On Man - 2

Building Strong Christians - 6

God Sheds His Grace On Man - 2

 

God's grace provided for man a way that leads to salvation. Since this way was provided by God's grace, and was in no way deserved by man, man has nothing to say concerning the way provided. Man has an appalling record when it comes to making good choices. This makes him an unsuitable  candidate to plan his own way of salvation. Proverbs 14:12  speaks to this point saying: "There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death." Notice that the writer begins by speaking of "a way" but concludes the verse talking about "the ways".  It seems when man gets involved in any decision making or planning process, there is invariably disagreement. Just look at the situation that exists in denominationalism!

 

Jesus Christ spoke of two ways in the New Testament. One way leads to life and the other way leads to destruction (Matt. 7:13-14). Jesus described the way of life as "strait" and "narrow". Today we would say that there is no "wiggle room" in the way that leads to life. Jesus also said that the way would be found by only a few. He described the way of destruction as "wide" and "broad" and attractive to many people. If one were to take the time to look at the church of Christ in comparison to denominationalism he would find that it aligns perfectly with the picture painted by Jesus Christ, with the church of Christ being the way of Life.

 

In John 14:6 Jesus gets very specific in pointing to Himself as the way. He said: "I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me."  It is sad to say that people do not give this statement the weight it deserves. Jesus not only delineates the boundary of "the way" as being invested in Himself, but He excluded any other from providing, preparing or presenting any other way. When Jesus said that He was, and is, the only way to reach the Father, He closed the door on the opinions and ideas of man. In view of this one simple statement man is forever excluded from having any input in the area of salvation.

 

"I am the way" is not only a statement that shut the door on alternate ways in the future, but also shut the door on ways that had existed in the past. The most notable of these was the law of Moses. Many in the first century of the existence of the church tried to hold on to this old way, as do many today. I would call their attention to the words of Colossians 2:14: "Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross;" There can be no doubt that the law of Moses was, and is, excluded from "the way" that leads to salvation.




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