The focus of this article is to show us the old path, the good way and how to walk in it, so that we can ultimately fulfill our God given destiny.  

Jeremiah 6:16. “Thus says the Lord: “Stand in the ways and see, and ask for the old paths, where the good way is, and walk in it”

For every destination, there is a Way that leads to it. Even though there could be many ways, not every way is the way even if it is a way. Not every path leads to life even though it is a path. So, it is one thing to be on a way, it is another thing to be on the right way that leads to your destination, except you don’t have a destination in view. Just as our faces are unique and different so also our destinies are different. And as such every destiny has a unique path to follow. If you follow a different path, you will arrive at a destination different from that which has been carved out for you. So, ways, paths or routes are very important as far as the matter of destiny is concerned. The Bible says; we are God’s workmanship created in Christ for good works. If you are created in Christ by Christ and for Christ, it then means that you need Christ to arrive at your preordained destination. 

Let me begin my observation by taking a close observation from the book of John 8:13. It says; “The Pharisees therefore said to Him, “you bear witness of yourself; your witness is not true.” This statement was made by the pharisees because in the previous verse Jesus said; “I Am the light of the world, He who follows me shall never walk in darkness, but have the light of life.”

Going back to the Scripture began with in Jeremiah 6:16, it says “stand in the ways and see” if sight will ever be a possibility, there must be a light. And you can’t follow a way until there is a sight and a light. So, Jesus said I am the light of the world, the light you need to walk or follow or discover the way. So, having said this, the pharisees said his witness is not true. What does it mean for a people to say a witness is not true? We must first understand who a witness is. A witness according to an online dictionary, is having knowledge of a development from observation or experience. So, a witness haven observed or experienced something, He speaks about what He or she has seen. So, the pharisees were saying here that what Jesus saw or experienced or said about Himself is not true.

But Jesus made a powerful statement that is worthy of consideration. He replied by saying to them; “Even if I bear witness of Myself, My witness is true, for I know where I came from and where I am going; but you do not know where I come from and where I am going.” This is the outer argument or proof Jesus showed them; I know where I am coming from; if I come from above and I speak of these things which I have seen in that realm you wouldn’t comprehend except you are also from above or having the same witness in your spirit. Read very carefully what Jesus said to Nicodemus the pharisee in John chapter 3; He said; “we speak of what we know, and we testify to what we have seen, but still, you people do not accept our testimony. I have spoken to you of earthly things and you do not believe; how then will you believe if I speak of heavenly things? No one has ever gone into heaven except the one who came from heaven—the Son of Man.” Did we see that last verse? It says no one has ever gone into heaven except the one who came from heaven. So, Jesus knew what He was saying when He said I know where I am coming from. And we have a testimony of the things we have seen from that realm which you must accept, the testimony is light.

This is what made His witness true; He said the reason why you think am not the light of the world is because you do not know where I come from. But I who speak to you know where I am coming from and I know where I am going. This is leadership. The reason why Jesus deserves to be followed, the reason why He is the light is because He knows where He Is coming from and He knows exactly where He is going. This is what differentiates Him from every other prophet or teacher before Him.  

The question is; where did He come from and where is He going? Again, Jesus speaking to Nicodemus in John 3 verse 8, He said; “The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.” The reason why you say the witness is not true is because you are not born of the Spirit. That which is born of the flesh is flesh and that which is born of the Spirit is Spirit. They don’t know where He is coming from, He said. But He came from the Father; the Bible says He is the express image of the invisible God. The Bible says God who at sundry times and in diverse manner spoken to the Fathers by the prophets, has in these last days spoken to us by His Son. Who is the son? Jesus! So, if you want to find the way, listen to Jesus. While He was on the mountain of transfiguration, the Bible says a voice came down from heaven saying this is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased, Hear Him. Your inability to find the way is because you have not identified Jesus the beloved son of God and hear Him. Until you hear Him it will be difficult for you to find the way. Because He knows where He is coming from and He knows where He is going. His words are spirits and they are life.

Verse 15 of John chapter 8 made it clearer; it says; “you judge according to the flesh; I judge no one.” Did you see that? It is difficult to find the way via the flesh. The Bible speaking in Isaiah chapter 11 verse 3, it said; “He shall not judge by the sight of His eyes, nor decide by the hearing of His ears.”  See what He said in John 12:44-50; “Whoever believes in me does not believe in me only, but in the one who sent me. The one who looks at me is seeing the one who sent me. I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in me should stay in darkness. Did we see that? He went further to say; “If anyone hears my words but does not keep them, I do not judge that person. For I did not come to judge the world, but to save the world. There is a judge for the one who rejects me and does not accept my words; the very words I have spoken will condemn them at the last day.  For I did not speak on my own, but the Father who sent me commanded me to say all that I have spoken.  I know that his command leads to eternal life. So, whatever I say is just what the Father has told me to say.”

This is why He is the light and deserved to be followed. One of the ways you can find the way is to believe Him and also the very words He speaks to you. This is why He is the way. The reason is because He does not judge according to the flesh. And you can’t find the way in the flesh. The Bible says walk in the Spirit and you will not fulfill the lust of the flesh. If you can connect with His Spirit you will know which way to go. The Bible says you will hear a voice behind you saying this is the way walk therein. You know the way by hearing the voice of the way. See what verse 16 says; “and yet I do not judge, My judgement is true; for I am not alone, but I am with Father who sent me.” So, because I am sent by the Father His witness is true and His judgement is accurate. So, in order to know the good way; number one; you must follow the good shepherd, the witness, the one whom the Father has sent. Number two; you must follow the one whom the Father bore witness to.

John 8 verse 18 says; “I am One who bears witness of Myself, and the Father who sent Me bears witness of Me.” That was why He said this is my beloved son in whom I am well pleased, hear Him. The Father has spoken in the time past in different ways but now He has chosen to speak through His Son- the word which carries spirit and life. Jesus made a statement in John 14 verse 4; He said “And where I go you know, and the way you know.” If the disciples don’t know the way will Jesus make this statement? So, Thomas made a statement in verse 5 and said Lord, we do not know where You are going, and how can we know the Way?” Just as many of us the disciples of Christ could also be saying Lord, we do not know the way, how can we find the way? We want to walk in the way, we have been asking how can we find the good way?  Maybe that’s the reason for the error, maybe that’s why we have been falling and stumbling, maybe that is why we are groping in darkness. And Jesus made the answer very simple and clear, He said; “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.”

This is the simplest road sign or sign post I have ever come across in the Scriptures. In case you don’t know how to walk in the Spirit or be led by the Spirit, in case you don’t have spiritual discernment or sensitivity, once you look at me Jesus, your master and listen to what I say, you have found the way. You don’t have to look at anywhere else, I am the good way. Incase you are looking for God, or you want to do the work of God, or you are looking for a way to get to God once you can acknowledge me, once you can look up to me the author and the finisher of your faith, you have found the way. So, Jesus is the way, He knows where He came from, He proceeded from the Father and He knows where He is going, He goes back to the Father, so, whatever He says to you, do it, because He carries the life of the word and His judgement are true.

So, haven found the good way, how do we walk in it? Because it is one thing to find a way it is another to be willing to walk in it. It is one thing to discover a key principle, it is another thing to apply it or use it. 2 Corinthians 12 verse 31 gives us a picture. See how Apostle Paul showed us the secret for walking in the good way. He said: “But earnestly desire the best Gifts. And yet I show you a more excellent way.” Did we see that? He began by saying earnestly desire the best Gifts; what are the Gifts? The Gift of healing, the Gift of speaking in tongues, the Gift of prophecy, the Gift of interpretation of tongues, the Gift of administration, the Gift of working of miracles. The Gifts that could make you effective in ministry. They are good, desire them but He said yet I show you a more excellent way; another word for excellent way is exceptional or outstanding; that way is the way of love. It is not just the good way, neither is it the better way, it is simply the best way. He called exceptional.

The way of love birthed the way of Christ. Christ which is the way was an expression of love and a Gift from God to man. The Bible says for God so love the world. God loved us first and that was why He gave His Son Jesus. So, Jesus expects us to love, and begin a genuine relationship with men and with God just as He has loved us. So, the Gifts you desire or have is nothing but a clanging cymbal if you have no love according to 1 Corinthians 13. Jesus said if you love Me, you will keep my commandments. That is the way, keeping the word of Jesus, obeying His instructions is the way to finding the way. Apostle Paul called it the excellent way. So, if you say you will not walk in the good way it same as saying I will not love Jesus nor keep His commandment and it is the same as saying I will not heed to the voice of the one who the father bore witness to. Above Gifts and religion, let your love for Christ not compete with any other thing in your heart. When this happens, you have found the good way and you should begin to walk in that way.

Thanks for the gift of your time, I am Apeh Francis Abah!

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