THE above is the heading of a placard to warn pedestrians, that “Any one found trespassing will be prosecuted.” A little farther on there can also be seen the following notice, “This is a public thoroughfare.” These are two totally contrary statements, and it was this which struck the writer, and suggested this short paper.
Scripture frequently speaks of two ways, nay, we might say three, for Genesis 3 clearly reveals that there is a “No right of way,” but it became so consequent on transgression. There had been a warning written over “the tree of knowledge of good and evil” to this effect―
We all know that Adam did not give heed to this warning, and in consequence was driven out of the garden. How solemn! Surrounded with every conceivable blessing, able to enjoy intercourse with the Lord God, Adam forfeited everything through disobedience, fell from the position in which God had set him in innocence, and by choosing the evil learned the difference between good and evil; powerlessness to do good, together with every propensity for evil, were acquired, and at the same time the whole race was involved in utter ruin. God had to say, “Where art thou?” showing his complete alienation from God. Once outside the garden, Adam was unable to re-enter it, for “No right of way” was written there—God placing at the east end of the Garden of Eden, cherubim, and a flaming sword which turned every way to keep the way of the tree of life (Gen. 3:2424So he drove out the man; and he placed at the east of the garden of Eden Cherubims, and a flaming sword which turned every way, to keep the way of the tree of life. (Genesis 3:24)). How that sums up our position before God! Oh! my beloved reader, if that be true, and God’s immutable Word proclaims it, we are irrevocably lost, yes, lost! Moreover, without the interposition of God, we must forever have remained so.
Do you say, Cannot I do something to recover myself? Yes, if you can pass that flaming sword which turns every way. Did you try, it would be inevitable death. Not one has ever passed that way yet, nor ever will. It is closed “Forever.” What a tremendous problem to face. Man cannot solve it: he is at an awful distance from God, lost, without hope in the world (Eph. 2:1212That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world: (Ephesians 2:12)), and powerless to remedy matters. This is solemn!
But here is something that bows the heart in adoration and worship. God acts! God so loved, that He gave His only begotten Son. Christ declares Himself to be “the Way, the Truth, and the Life” (John 14:66Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. (John 14:6)), and says that “him that cometh unto Me I will in no wise cast out” (John 6:3737All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out. (John 6:37)). He has borne all the consequences of sin, has measured the awful distance between you and God—has been down into death (the pathway of which you have been treading these weary years)— and He has through death opened up the Path of Life leading right into the Presence of God, where are pleasures and fullness of joy for evermore.
And now it is the precious portion and joy of believers to know that because the Blessed Saviour has opened up the Path of Life we have the “Right of Way.” This is indeed (speaking reverently) a public thoroughfare, for all who come believing will be received. But, mark you, it is believing the Lord Jesus personally, for He says, “I am the Way,” as also, “I am the Door.” What infinite love on the part of God, who spared not His own Son, but FREELY delivered Him up. Who can measure the love of that precious Saviour, who knew all that He would have to go through, in order’ to make “the way” for us to be brought home from that terrible distance, out of that awful position and condition, exposed to the righteous judgment of a Holy God. He bore it all instead of us.
Beloved reader, in which path are you? There are only two left, for one has been proved to be closed—the Broad and the Narrow way. The one leads to eternal joy, the other to eternal destruction. Delay not in availing yourself of the “Way of Life.” The consequences of either path are eternal.
“Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth My word, and believeth on Him that sent Me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment; but is passed from death unto life” (John 5:2424Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life. (John 5:24)).
May it not be said of you, dear reader, as it was of some of old, “Ye will not come to Me, that ye might have life” (John 5:4040And ye will not come to me, that ye might have life. (John 5:40)).
A. H. H.