NCCG.ORG, Articles & Sermons 30. THE STRICTNESS OF THE WAY - Confronting Laxity in the Modern Churches

Before the term "Christian" or "Church" came into widespread usage, the teachings given by Jesus Christ were known as the "WAY". Saul, who was initially an enemy of the followers of Jesus, sought permission from the High Priest to that he might imprison "any...who belonged to the Way" (Acts 9:2, 22:4; 24:22, NIV). The enemies of the first Christians "publically maligned the Way" (Acts 19:9, NIV). After his conversion, Paul declared: "I admit that I worship the God of our fathers as a follower of the Way which they (the Jews) call a sect. I believe everything that agrees with the Law and that is written in the Prophets" (Acts 24:14, NIV).

Unfortunately today, as in times passed, there are far too many Christians who, whilst paying lip-service to "the Law and (what) is written in the Prophets", do not really believe it in their hearts. They have invented another "way" and created a gospel that requires so little of the believer that one wonders if they are on any "way" at all.

Jesus is the Way

When Jesus called Himself "the Way and the Truth and the Life" He was not describing a new theological concept. Though His teaching, as we have seen, was publically maligned by the Jews as a "sect", what He taught was in fact a natural and prophetic development of the Law given by God through His prophet Moses.

God, speaking through His prophet Isaiah, declared: "In the desert, prepare the Way for the Lord; make straight in the wilderness a highway for our God...See, the Sovereign Lord comes with power, and His arm rules for Him. See, His reward is with Him, and His recompense accompanies Him. He tends His flock like a shepherd: He gathers the lambs in His arms and carries them close to His heart; He gently leads those that have young" (Isa.40:3,10-11 NIV). In this beautiful poetic imagery we see that God' people are being led along God's Way.

This metaphorical use of the word "Way" (or "Path" or "Road") in both the Old and New Testaments is a very important one if we are to understand what is meant by salvation. Jesus is very particular in His use of this imagery when He declares: "Strait (small) is the gate and narrow is the Way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it" (Matt.7:14, AV).

From this concise and powerful illustration we are led to understand that coming to Christ and entering into His Kingdom requires at least two important steps: First, entering a GATE, and second, walking along a PATH or WAY. Therefore when Christ invites the unsaved to come to Him, He is telling them that, first, they must come to the Gate, which is a very small one. It is small because He -- and He alone -- is the Way to God the Father. There are no other entrances.

Finding Christ, and accepting Christ as the only Way to God, is not enough. There is a road or a way to be walked. And notice that the first Christians were especially called followers of the Way and not of the Gate.

Going through a gate is a single event but walking along a path is a process that takes time. And it is this "process", or journey along the way, which is the essence of true Christianity.

Please note how Jesus describes both the Gate and the Way -- the Gate is small (and therefore not easy to find) and the Way is narrow (and therefore not easy to pass along). The true path to salvation is therefore hard to find and even harder to walk along. It is strict.

Jesus said: "Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it" (Matt.7:13, NIV).

What is this Path and how does one walk along it?

Identifying the Way

When Jesus described the Gospel as the "Way" He was using a very old designation indeed, and one that could be clearly understood by those He was speaking to. Moses said: "If You are pleased with me, teach me your ways so that I may know You and continue to find favour with You" (Ex.33:13, NIV). The world, in sharp contrast, says: "Leave us alone! We have no desire to know Your ways" (Job 21:14, NIV). The Psalmist, who knew where to find salvation, declared: "May God be gracious to us and bless us and make His face shine upon us, Selah, that your ways may be known on earth, your salvation among all nations" (Psa.67:1-2, NIV). And as a warning against those who presume to declare what they suppose the Path of Salvation to be, Ezekiel sternly says: "Yet you say, 'The Way of the Lord is not just.' Hear, O House of Israel: Is My Way unjust? Is it not your ways that are unjust?" (Ezek.18:25, NIV)

So let us be clear: the Way of the Lord is strict and it is just. And it is the ways of man which are unjust because they choose to either ignore the Word of God, or dilute it in order to make the Way broader. But the true Way isn't broad. It is extremely narrow. Jesus said so and no-one professing the Name of Christ has any right to say otherwise.

So, what was this "Way of Salvation" that was proclaimed by Moses, Job, David, Isaiah and Ezekiel? There is not the slightest doubt that in the Old Testament the WAY was synonymous with God's commandments. And if you read Psalm 119 from beginning to end you will be in no doubt as to what the Way is -- it is the path of MORAL AND ETHICAL CONDUCT: "Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers....the wicked will not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the assembly of the righteous" (Psa.1:1,6, NIV).

The Lord Jesus Christ taught exactly the same Way that was taught by prophets of the Old Testament. The Lord Jesus, who is identified as the God of the Old Testament as well as the New is, according to Paul, "the same yesterday and today and forever" (Heb.13:8, NIV). Therefore, he says, "do not be carried away by all kinds of strange teachings" (v.9a). And there are plenty of those today.

The Way, then, is moral holiness. Indeed, Jesus puts it even more bluntly, telling all believers: "BE PERFECT" (Matt.5:48).

The Way to Perfection

As all Christians will acknowledge, love is the greatest commandment. But in defining what love is, Christians divide up into a legion of different schools of interpretation. If you search through the New Testament, you will find plenty of instruction on the Way to Perfection.

One of the most important sources of this instruction, because it is so clear, and even more importantly because it came from the Master's own lips, is the story of the rich young man who sought after eternal life:

"'Teacher, what good thing must I do to get eternal life?' 'Why do you ask Me about what is good?' Jesus replied. 'There is only One who is good. IF YOU WANT TO ENTER INTO LIFE, OBEY THE COMMANDMENTS'" (Matt.19:17)

"'Which (commandments should I obey)?' the man inquired. Jesus replied, ''Do not murder, do not commit adultery, do not steal, do not give false testimony, honour your father and mother,' and 'love your neighbour as yourself.'" "All these I have kept," the young man said. "What do I still lack?" Jesus answered, "If you want TO BE PERFECT, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow Me" (v.18-21).

I want you to note carefully that following the Law, and specifically here the 10 Commandments, is a vital part of the Way. Jesus was most emphatic about His disciples obeying the Law. He said:

"I tell you the truth (and remember, Jesus IS the Truth), until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of the pen, will by any means disappear from the Law (of Moses) until everything is accomplished" (Matt.5:18)

Warning against those who had a tendency to dilute the Gospel to make it more palatable to sinners, Jesus reminds us what true love is: "If ye love Me, ye will keep My commandments" (John 14:15, AV).

Jesus obeyed the Law of Moses to the letter, elevating it above the crass legalism to which it had fallen, and reforming it in areas where it needed reformation. So why, if the followers of the Way were living the Law strictly according to what was revealed by Moses, did the Jews call them a "sect"?

The Pharisees, who were the custodians of the Law, constantly sought opportunity to find fault with Jesus and His followers. Yet Jesus taught His disciples: "For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the Law (of Moses), you will certainly not enter the Kingdom of Heaven" (Matt.5:20, NIV).

Even Stricter than the Law of Moses

Because Jesus emphasised love, forgiveness and mercy, many Christians erroneously suppose that this was all He ever taught. Indeed, His teaching was simply a reaffirmation of the heart of the Law of Moses, which was a Law of Love. And love, He consistently taught, was obedience to the commandments.

How else could the Way be "narrow"? Is a gospel that teaches that all you have to do is have love in your heart but pay no attention to moral and ethical conduct a "narrow" way? No, it is not. In truth, it is a broad one. It is a false gospel that teaches it doesn't matter what you do so long as you forgive.

The New Covenant Church of God has a reputation for teaching a "strict gospel" and many react strongly against it. But in truth it follows the New Testament teaching of Jesus to the very letter. It is not legalistic for it exalts love, mercy, compassion and forgiveness, but neither does it neglect justice. We are not liked because we throw out unrepentant fornicators and adulterers, and those who maliciously speak evil. Yet the Bible plainly teaches:

"I wrote to you in my previous letter not to associate closely and habitually with unchaste (impure/sexually immoral) people...(do) not associate with anyone who bears the name of Christian brother, if he is known to be guilty of immorality or greed, or is an idolater -- that is, whose soul is devoted to any object that usurps the place of God -- or is a person with a foul tongue (railing, abusing, reviling, slandering), or is a drunkard, or a swindler or a robber. No, you must not so much as eat with such a person...Drive out that wicked one from among you -- expel him from your church" (1 Cor.5:9-13. Amplified Bible).

Apostolic Interviews No.1: A Question of Fellowship

So strict is the Word of God that it is "sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Nothing in all creation is hidden from God's sight. Everything is uncovered and laid before the eyes of Him to whom we must give account" (Heb.4:12, NIV).

Have you compromised the Word of God? Have you tried to dilute the message of Christ? Do you "publically malign the Way"? (Acts 19:9) If you have, or if you do, then now is the time to repent and enter into His rest: "Let us, therefore, make every effort to enter into that rest, so that no one will fall by following their example of disobedience" (v.11).

If you wish to know the love of God, know His joy, inner peace, strength, and glory, then you must obey the strictness of His commandments. "So be careful to do what the Lord your God has commanded you; do not turn aside to the right or to the left" (Deut.5:32, NIV).

The Restoration of the Way

The New Covenant Church of God, is a restoration of the New Testament Church. It is not bound by any tradition or teaching of man but is built upon the revelation of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

We invite all those who really want to know what the true Way is, to enjoy both its strictness and the fruits of that strictness, perfect peace and love. We seek for those who desire to follow Jesus in all things, and we invite you to come and partake of the grace which has been given us. Amen.

This page was created on 28 December 1997 Last updated on 20 February 1998