The Wrong Way

 •  2 min. read  •  grade level: 8
The hot Florida sun beat down on the expressway, and the hitchhiker trudging along with his backpack looked hopefully at each car that passed. Turning to face the oncoming car, he would hold up a hand-written destination sign: “PENSACOLA.”
No one stopped. As each car whizzed past him, he would give his pack a hitch and start on down the road, a hot and weary man.
Why did no passing motorist take pity on him and stop to give him a ride? He was certainly hoping to reach Pensacola—all his effort was directed to getting to Pensacola—but he was going the wrong way. Pensacola lay 450 miles to the north, and he was walking down the southbound lane. Every step he took, the longer he traveled, the more energy he put into his efforts to reach Pensacola, the farther he was from getting there.
No doubt he thought he was going the right way, but we can only think of the verse in Proverbs: “There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death” (Prov. 14:1212There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death. (Proverbs 14:12)). Travelers journeying on through life-as we all are-must make sure that theirs is not just the “way that seemeth right.” When we ask, “How can we know the way?” the Lord Jesus Himself answers, “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by Me” (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)).
“The Father loveth the Son, and hath given all things into His hand. He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him” (John 3:35-3635The Father loveth the Son, and hath given all things into his hand. 36He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him. (John 3:35‑36)).
That is the way. We come to God by believing on His Son. The promise is absolutely sure: “If thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised Him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation” (Romans 10:9-109That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. 10For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. (Romans 10:9‑10)).
Could the way be plainer than that?