As Bob walked along the path that was supposed to take him to a young people’s camp, he saw something in the distance. It was black and coming toward him on the same path. As they came closer to each other, Bob could tell it was an animal. Just as he realized it was a bear cub, it suddenly disappeared into the thick brush beside the path. Bob was alarmed! He figured that the mother bear was probably nearby, watching him, and he knew that a mother bear with a cub can be aggressive and vicious. He was in a dangerous spot!
It occurred to Bob that he had walked a long way on this path, and it was only becoming more isolated. Now he was in bear country - something was wrong! He quickly turned around and went back to where he had left his backpack, expecting to pick it up later. He got out his map of the area and then realized that he had gone in the wrong direction.
We all want to be on the path that leads to heaven, and God has supplied us with a map that gives complete directions. It is His Word, the Bible. God’s “map” warns us that “there is a way which [seems] right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death” (Proverbs 14:1212There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death. (Proverbs 14:12)). The path to heaven leads first to Calvary’s cross where God’s Son, Christ Jesus, paid the price for sin and gave up His life for sinners. Many people avoid the issue of their sins and bypass God’s Son and the cross. This is not only the wrong direction; it is also dangerous: “The end thereof are the ways of death.”
If you have been traveling life’s pathway without God’s “map,” turn around and go back to the Son of God who loves you and died for you. He wants to take away your weight of sin and set you on the path to life and heaven.
Once Bob followed his map and started on the right path, he was not far from the camp. And once you turn around and come to Jesus with your sins, He will take them away and set you on the right path. Will you choose the right way? “I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life” (Deuteronomy 30:1919I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live: (Deuteronomy 30:19)).
ML-08/08/2004