Life can be illustrated by roads that continually lead to the next intersection. Until one day you reach your final destination. Every day we are met with multiple choices that will dictate which direction we go. We can go right or left. The option is given to do this, that, or nothing. If we want the option to backtrack and return to where we have already been that is even an option. Every choice offers a new path and has an impact on our trajectory. As Christians, it’s important to really stop and look every time we come to an intersection. To be sure that we choose God’s path for our life. Making the decision that will in turn lead us closer to Him.
God spoke through the prophet Jeremiah in an attempt to lead the Israelites back to His path. But they would not listen and refused to go the Lord’s way. Instead, they chose to take their own path of sin resulting in destruction. Had they only taken the way God had intended scripture tells they would have found rest for their souls.
Jeremiah 6:16 (ESV)
16 Thus says the Lord:
“Stand by the roads, and look,
and ask for the ancient paths,
where the good way is; and walk in it,
and find rest for your souls.
But they said, ‘We will not walk in it.’
This verse was of course meant to wake up the Israelites to the fact they were headed down the wrong path. Offering them a chance to course-correct and starting walking according to God’s word once again. That being said I believe we can still apply the principles of this verse in our lives today. Doing as it calls every time we come to one of life’s intersections.
When faced with a decision we don’t need to rush. Especially when the choice we make could have a large impact on our lives. Instead, we need to stand by or as the NLT translates stop and really look over the options. Often when we come to a decision and make it quickly we are unable to see where it is going to lead us. This means we could be about to walk away from God and not even realize it.
Jeremiah 6:16 (NLT)
16 This is what the Lord says:
“Stop at the crossroads and look around.
Ask for the old, godly way, and walk in it.
Travel its path, and you will find rest for your souls.
But you reply, ‘No, that’s not the road we want!’
Then we need to ask for the old Godly way. That may mean different things depending on the choice we must make. For instance, it could mean seeking the counsel of an elder in the faith. Or it could mean taking time to look in the word. Maybe you just need to seek God and allow Him to show you the right path as Proverbs describes. It could simply mean taking a minute to think about what would Jesus do? Or is it wise to spend money on another coffee this week when I could use it to support a ministry? All in all, as believers we should be conscious of every decision we make. Doing our best to make sure the choices we make align with our faith.
Proverbs 3:5–6 (ESV)
5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
and do not lean on your own understanding.
6 In all your ways acknowledge him,
and he will make straight your paths.
But the defining moment comes when we choose the path to take. You see from the context in the verse from Jeremiah it appears that Israelites were able to see and recognize the right path. They simply refused to take it. Choosing instead to go their own way. When you find yourself at an intersection the choice will be yours as to which path you take.
God is never going to keep you from the decision you want to make. No matter how much He wants you to go His way. Your future is in your hands. You can choose to take the godly path and ensure your future in Heaven. Or make decisions that will ultimately result in destruction. If you want to be saved and receive the peace that God offers then you must not just see the right path but make the decision to walk it.
Of course, we face some everyday decisions that are simple and may not require much time or thought. Like what to eat, drink, wear, and so on. But it is important that we don’t completely write all the simple decisions off. Because they are still going to lead us in a direction. Our goal should always be for the direction we go to be towards God in everything we do. It may sound odd to always filter your decision no matter how minute. But we must remember that we are called to serve and honor God in all that we do even down to the most simple of tasks. Scripture also says that we will even be judged for the words we say idly so it also stands to reason that our idle actions will come up as well.
1 Corinthians 10:31 (ESV)
31 So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.
Matthew 22:37 (ESV)
37 And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.
Matthew 12:36 (ESV)
36 I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak,
If you think your decisions don’t matter, remember that those who end up on the wrong path are headed for destruction. That’s Jesus’s own teaching. He taught that there are two main paths in life. One that leads to eternal life in Heaven and the other that leads to destruction. When we stand at an intersection in life we need to be sure that the way we decided to go does not have the potential to lead us to the wrong path.
Matthew 7:13–14 (ESV)
13 “Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. 14 For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few.
The Bible also makes it clear that those who live sinful lifestyles won’t inherit the kingdom of God even if they had once been on the right path. The decisions you make at each of life’s intersections will have an impact on where you end up. Leading you towards destruction or the glory that is Heaven. Those who decided to turn down the path of sin are ultimately walking towards destruction. Unless they are able to make a change, repent, and turn back on to God’s path. While those who chose to walk the path of righteousness will end up in Heaven. As long as they stay on that path and don’t return to the old sinful path.
1 Corinthians 9:10–11 (ESV)
10 Does he not certainly speak for our sake? It was written for our sake, because the plowman should plow in hope and the thresher thresh in hope of sharing in the crop. 11 If we have sown spiritual things among you, is it too much if we reap material things from you?
Ezekiel 18:21–22 (ESV)
21 “But if a wicked person turns away from all his sins that he has committed and keeps all my statutes and does what is just and right, he shall surely live; he shall not die. 22 None of the transgressions that he has committed shall be remembered against him; for the righteousness that he has done he shall live.
Ezekiel 18:24 (ESV)
24 But when a righteous person turns away from his righteousness and does injustice and does the same abominations that the wicked person does, shall he live? None of the righteous deeds that he has done shall be remembered; for the treachery of which he is guilty and the sin he has committed, for them he shall die.
Does this mean that every intersection offers an entry to the path of destruction? No, in fact, many of the intersections we come to will not. That being said though Paul did say that everything may not be sinful, but that doesn’t make it good for you. In the same way, every path may not lead to destruction. But there will be ways you can choose to go in life that are not good for you. Because they have the potential to draw you closer to the path of destruction later. For instance, it may not be wrong to go somewhere. Or to do something but that one decision could lead to wrong behavior in the future. So we must look for God’s path at every intersection.
1 Corinthians 6:12 (ESV)
12 “All things are lawful for me,” but not all things are helpful. “All things are lawful for me,” but I will not be dominated by anything.
1 Corinthians 10:23 (ESV)
23 “All things are lawful,” but not all things are helpful. “All things are lawful,” but not all things build up.
Paul also wrote not to become confident and think you can’t succumb to temptation. Making it clear just how easy it can be to fall into sin and wrongdoing. The same is true when it comes to making the right choice when standing at an intersection. It’s important to never become overconfident believing you have it all figured out. No matter how long you have been in the faith it is still important that you put the principles God gave through Jeremiah into action. By stopping, looking, asking, and then walking in the right path. The last thing you want to do is confidently choose and walk down the path towards destruction.
1 Corinthians 10:12 (ESV)
12 Therefore let anyone who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall.
Christians should always strive to look for God’s path at every intersection. But the truth is we are all going to mess up sometimes. Giving in to temptation or falling into wrong behavior. Ultimately meaning we have picked the wrong direction and strayed off God’s path. When that happens you must know that God still loves you and is willing to forgive you. You’re just finding yourself at another intersection and need to make the decision to take the turn that will bring you back to God’s path.
Christian living isn’t about being perfect but always doing the best you can. This means always taking time to try and pick the path in life that will lead you closer to the Lord. Every day we are faced with many different decisions. It’s important as believers to weigh them each and pick the right one. All the while having the peace that comes from knowing that God will help you if you start down the wrong path. At the next intersection, you come to in life take a moment to look for God’s path and choose to walk it. Drawing yourself closer to Him and the reward of eternal salvation.
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