Acts 9:2

“The way” was an early name for Christianity.  In the New Testament the Christian faith is described as “the way of God,” “the way of the lord,” “the way to be saved,” “the way of truth,” and “the way of righteousness.” Jesus tells us that He is the way and that He is the truth and the life (Jn 14:6).

When I reflect upon this name for the early church, my mind goes in all directions.  I think of a small child trying to do something on his own, and when the parent gives direction, he responds irately “I know the way!” As “babes in Christ,” we want to learn the way/how to live like Christ would live, but it is more important that we begin to know “the way”/Jesus.

Knowing the way is not the same as going the way.  Many people who grew up in the church know the way that saves and they know the way to live righteous.  However, they have chosen to walk away from the way that leads to salvation and they are walking the way of unrighteousness.  Knowledge of what is right is worthless if it does not lead us to do what is right.

Some people are afraid of becoming Christians.  They are afraid they will lose their freedom. Many have heard that the way is straight and narrow and they do not want to make a decision that would limit their choices. They only see what they would be giving up.  They do not recognize that unrighteousness enslaves them and places them in bondage.  The way of the Lord sets them free from sin and death.

The way of righteousness led Jesus to the cross, but it also led Him to the resurrection.  Following Jesus in the way of righteousness also requires us to carry a cross, but we know it leads to eternal life.  Each day we have to choose; we walk in the way, or we walk away.  We choose knowing that the way we walk determines our destination.