“THERE is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.” (Prov. 16:2525There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death. (Proverbs 16:25).) To the truth of these solemn words testify the footsteps and the end of ten thousands of men now in eternity. The way which seems right unto a man is his own way―the path of his own self-will, pleasure, or chosen sin. To him this way seems right; it is pleasant to his eyes; it is easy to his step; it is the popular way―the way of the world—and as he takes it he exclaims, “Why should not I do as I like?”
This way Cain took. He had his ideas on religion—he brought to the Lord a sacrifice which was without blood. He cultivated the soil that bore the divine curse upon it, and by the sweat of his brow raised an offering for the Lord; and though the Lord told Cain “sin coucheth at the door” (Gen. 4:77If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted? and if thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door. And unto thee shall be his desire, and thou shalt rule over him. (Genesis 4:7), R.V.)―that a sacrifice was ready to his hand—Cain preferred his way to God’s way, and continued to walk upon the fatal road, the ends of which are the ways of death. Alas! thousands today go in the way of Cain.
Esau forsook the promises of God, and bartered away his future for a mess of pottage! He was hungry, and to him the satisfaction of the hour was more precious than the blessing of the future. “What,” said he, “does this birthright profit me?” (Gen. 25:3232And Esau said, Behold, I am at the point to die: and what profit shall this birthright do to me? (Genesis 25:32).) And, like Esau, profane peons this day sell their eternity for this hour’s pleasures. The way seems right to them, but the ways of death are in the end thereof.
The skeptic approves his unbelief, boasts himself in his negation, and at length takes his leap into the dark; the miser hoards up his gold, and dies, despising eternal riches; the procrastinator says, “Time enough yet,” and is lost. The secret of these varied forms of disobedience lies in one principle, namely, taking a way which seems right to a man, and refusing God’s word. However varied the forms of unbelief may seem, there is but one end to the path of disobedience― “the end thereof are the ways of death.”
“What must I do to be lost?” said a young skeptic to an aged servant of Christ, who had been preaching on the words, “What must I do to be saved?” “Go on just as you are going, young man, and you will reach hell for certain,” was the reply. It is enough to go on one’s own way steadily, for the end thereof are the ways of death.
As men hurry on their fatal way God’s messengers stand and cry, “Return, return.” There is more simplicity in true religion than is generally allowed. The first step is to return. “What do mean by conversion?” said his colonel to a pious soldier. “The first thing is ‘Attention,’ the next, ‘Right about face,’ sir,” was the reply. Return to God, sinner. Do not think that true religion is merely to change over from the muddy side to the clean side of the way which seems right to a man. The broad road that leads to destruction has its clean as well as its dirty side, but those who are converted have returned to God. They are not on the broad road at all—they have turned to God.
It was well when the prodigal in the far country said, “I will arise, and go to my father;” but he did more― “he arose, and came to his father.” Many purpose “I will arise;” of few it can be said they “arose and came.” What should we say of the prodigal whose resolutions brought him within sight of his father’s doors, and who yet returned from that sight to his old companions hand his old sins?
Come home close to God, for this is true repentance. Rest not until you have met His eye and received His pardon. But be not deceived, for it is not repentance to shift the rags of sin for the garments of respectability while still traveling the wrong road. It seems as if in this day Satan had built not only places for entertainment but also for religious objects upon the sides of the broad road that leads to destruction, so that men may go in thither and fancy themselves what they are not. Oh, be not content with the appearance of being a Christian, but give yourself no rest until you know you are truly one of God’s people. The true Christian has his sins forgiven him (t John 2:22And both Jesus was called, and his disciples, to the marriage. (John 2:2)), he has eternal life, and the privilege to know that this life is his (vs. 13); all things for him are new.