{"id":756,"date":"2015-10-15T11:54:38","date_gmt":"2015-10-15T15:54:38","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/pibcny.com\/blog\/?p=756"},"modified":"2016-08-03T20:56:40","modified_gmt":"2016-08-04T00:56:40","slug":"have-it-your-way","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/pibcny.com\/blog\/2015\/10\/15\/have-it-your-way\/","title":{"rendered":"Have It Your Way??"},"content":{"rendered":"

Pragmatism<\/em> has been defined this way, \u201cif it works it is true, if it succeeds it is good.\u201d Unfortunately, this is the moral compass that drives much of our society. In the end the basis for truth is our own determination of whether or not we think it works. The reality is that this kind of thinking leads to a fluid moral system\u2014\u201cWhat\u2019s right for you is not necessarily right for me.\u201d Where does this lead us\u2014where has this led us?<\/p>\n

The simple truth is that we live in a generation of this \u201cmy way<\/em>\u201d kind of thinking. The popular slogan of a popular fast food chain saying, \u201cHave it your way<\/em>\u201d catered to this \u201cmy way<\/em>\u201d generation. The sad reality is that this \u201cmy way<\/em>\u201d mentality is not new. Frankly it has been in the minds of every soul that have walked the face of this earth since the beginning of time. Where does it lead us\u2014what does it get us in the end?<\/p>\n

Consider what the Bible says about this \u201cmy way<\/em>\u201d mentality; \u201cThere is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are<\/em> the ways of death.\u201d (Proverbs 14:12)<\/span><\/p>\n

The Bible is clear about this \u201cmy way<\/em>\u201d mentality and what that leads to. \u201cMy way<\/em>\u201d is not \u201cGod\u2019s way.\u201d My way<\/em> is selfish and self-serving. It is rooted in pride and self-glory. It seeks what is best for self and we are enticed by what \u201cmy way<\/em>\u201d can bring me, but when it is fully realized, the Bible says that it results in death<\/em>.<\/p>\n

James puts it this way; \u201cBut every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his OWN lust, and enticed. Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.\u201d (James 1:14-15)<\/span><\/p>\n

In context, this \u201clust<\/em>\u201d is sin.\u00a0 The natural progression of giving into temptation due to one\u2019s own lustful desires will eventually end in death if left unchecked.\u00a0 The biological imagery is very vivid and familiar.\u00a0 As a person gives into temptation, sin is conceived.\u00a0 It grows internally for a period of time before it manifests itself, eventually in the form of death.<\/p>\n

Death is separation<\/em>.\u00a0 Physical death is the separation<\/em> of the body and soul. Spiritual death is the separation<\/em> that exists between a soul and God while physically alive. Eternal death is the separation that exists between God and a soul who died in the state of spiritual death.<\/p>\n

\u201cMy way<\/em>\u201d brings death which separates us from God. Back in the beginning, Adam and Eve went \u201cmy way<\/em>.\u201d They sought the way that \u201cseemed right<\/em>\u201d to them but ultimately ended in death as their sin separated them from God.<\/p>\n

The ultimate death<\/em> that results from \u201cmy own way<\/em>\u201d is the death of the Son of God. I needed Him to die in my place because I decided that \u201cmy way<\/em>\u201d was best. \u201cMy way<\/em>\u201d is against God\u2019s way. The prophet Isaiah put it this way; \u201cAll we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned everyone to his OWN WAY; and the LORD<\/strong> hath laid on Him<\/strong> [The Messiah<\/em>] the iniquity of us all.\u201d (Isaiah 53:6)<\/span><\/p>\n

Sin separates us from God BUT\u00a0salvation reconciles us to God. Through faith in the death and resurrection of the Son of God in my place I can be forever reconciled to God because this is not \u201cmy way<\/em>\u201d but \u201cGod\u2019s way.\u201d Jesus said, \u201cI AM<\/strong> the Way<\/strong>, the Truth<\/strong>, and the Life<\/strong>: no man cometh unto the Father<\/strong>, but by Me<\/strong>.\u201d (John 14:6)<\/span><\/p>\n

Consider the amazing love of God in sending His Son to die in our\u00a0place. \u201cFor God<\/strong> so loved the world, that He<\/strong> gave His<\/strong> only begotten Son<\/strong> [Jesus<\/em>], that whosoever believeth in Him<\/strong> should not perish, but have everlasting life.\u201d (John 3:16)<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cBUT God<\/strong>, Who<\/strong> is rich in mercy, for His<\/strong> great love wherewith He<\/strong> loved us, even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us [to\u00a0<\/em>make us alive<\/em>] together with Christ<\/strong>, (by grace ye are saved;) and hath raised us<\/em> up together, and made us<\/em> sit together in heavenly places<\/em> in Christ Jesus<\/strong>: that in the ages to come He<\/strong> might shew the exceeding riches of His<\/strong> grace in His<\/em><\/strong> kindness toward us through Christ Jesus<\/strong>.\u201d (Ephesians 2:4-7)<\/span><\/p>\n

What a sad reality but also what a glorious truth!<\/strong> The sad reality<\/em> is that my choosing \u201cmy way<\/em>\u201d resulted in the death of the Son of God as well as the death of many souls who die going their own way because they lived a life separated from God. The glorious truth<\/em> is that God\u2019s Son willingly died in our place, so that we would not have to experience the \u201cdeath<\/em>\u201d that \u201cmy way<\/em>\u201d requires\u2014we do not have to experience separation from God in this life and for all eternity. Is there a greater truth than this?!?<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n