Pathway to Christ: New Book Release

Pathway to Christ: New Book Release

CLICK HERE: Pathway to Christ

Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. 

No one comes to the Father except through me”

(John 14:6 ESV)

Pathway to Christ

Before Christ, what was the pathway to salvation? This may be a very confusing question for many, but have you ever thought about how people were saved in the Old Testament era? We know, by reading in the New Testament, that salvation comes by grace, and through faith, in Christ Jesus. And we also become the children of God (John 1:12 ESV; Ephesians 2:8-9).

There are many pathways in life as you may know. And the pathway you take in life can either take you to success or failure. How do you really determine which pathway you should take? As a child, your parents try to guide you, or dictate, the path you should take. Like most children you may not listen, or you may choose to take their route, but it’s not your desire or dream. And your path should be one thing; of your own choosing (as long as it is not bringing harm to anyone). If you are truly happy and your path brings you joy, follow your heart and live your dreams to the fullest. Don’t allow anyone to hinder your course to happiness. You have one life. You don’t get a do-over. So choose your pathway wisely.

To live a life on purpose should bring such joy because you are not bound by the rules and regulations of man. You are living a life that God has designed and created for you. In the book of Jeremiah, the prophet writes, “‘For I know the plans I have for you declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future’” (Jeremiah 29:11 NKJV). Sometimes we want to hear that God is going to prosper us and make us rich. We want to hear that He is going to move us from where we are to where we desire; in a big home, awesome job, great car, etc. But what about what God really meant in his verse? What about the preceding verses that tell a different story? A story that tell us to stay right where we are until those that are cursing and doing us wrong, are blessed and then we will be blessed? Oh no! That is not in “our plans”, that can’t be what God is saying!

In fact, that is what happened to the Israelites. Therefore, it is so important to examine the true context of what we read in the word of God. Things become a lot clearer. It is not to say that we will not be blessed, but it is to say that within our blessings there are some hard lessons to be learned. We just read, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. And there really isn’t anything wrong with that, per se. We just don’t want to hear that we will have to suffer a little in order to receive that blessing. I know I don’t. I tend to believe that I have suffered enough in life already, and I am ready for the blessings that God has promised me. Why should I have to suffer anymore? That’s not fair. Have you thought this too? I’m tired of people holding me back and stealing what rightfully belongs to me. But the one thing I have learned thus far in life is life is not fair. That’s right I admit that, it isn’t, and I am shouting it as loud as I can, LIFE IS NOT FAIR! Can I get an Amen? Have I got a witness?!

Here is the other side of that unfairness that I have come to know very well and it has been somewhat of a mantra of mine down through the years, “No weapon that is formed against me will prosper” (Isaiah 54:17 KJV). This verse has comforted me much more than I can share. However, on example I will share, happened when I was going through my first divorce, yes, I did say first divorce (there have been a total of 3; a story for another time and another book). Even though life is not fair and very unpleasant at times, this verse is my reassurance that it will not always be that way. The verse did not say that I wouldn’t have bad days but it said it would not prosper. It did not say that I would not be disappointed, it said it would not prosper. It did not say that I would not have the money for rent or bills, but it said that it would not prosper. So, what does that tell you? It tells you that yes, problems, hardship, heartaches, and disappointments will happen, but the wonderful part about it is that it will not last always. And there is an end.

There are so many verses that are taken out of context and it is hurting the body of Christ. I am truly sorry to have to tell you this, especially if you are one that uses Jeremiah 29:11 for the sole purpose of reaping prosperity. Jeremiah 29:11 is not to be used as a security blanket. The true context of the verse is this; The Israelites had been exiled by Babylon as a punishment for their disobedience. The false prophet Hananiah boldly proclaimed the freedom of the Israelites from Babylon in two years. Jeremiah (true prophet of God) confronted Hananiah for lying to the people and falsely proclaiming their early release from bondage. Hananiah lied and Jeremiah called him out on it. This would be the paraphrased version of what Jeremiah said, Hananiah, God has a plan indeed for the Israelites, and it is indeed a plan that will give His people hope and a prospering future. However! Before he shared that promise, Jeremiah gave the Israelites God’s directive, “And seek the peace of the city where I have caused you to be carried away captive and pray to the Lord for it; for in its peace you will have peace” (Jeremiah 29:7 NKJV). This was not what the Israelites wanted to hear. They did not want to be told that they had to stay right there and help prosper the nation that had enslaved them. But, in fact, God did command that. In verse 10, God says, “For thus says the Lord: After seventy years are completed at Babylon, I will visit you and perform My good word toward you and cause you to return to this place.” Seriously! After seventy years? They wanted to hear that they were going home. They also wanted to hear that all their suffering had finally come to an end. But it was not so.

This meant that none of them (the current generation) would ever return home. They would never see their homeland again. What a devastating blow that was. But think for a moment, that was nothing more than what they deserved for being disobedient in the first place. It is a fact that God has a plan for us. And God will ultimately give us a glorious future. The one thing we must remember is, as we walk the pathway to Christ, enduring hardships, disappointments, and heartaches, that the best growth comes through persevering through the trials and not entirely escaping them. We will find unspeakable joy when we learn to persevere. Don’t expect that you will not be punished for disobedience. It may not happen immediately, but rest assured, punishment is coming.

Here is the best way to uncover a false prophet, if they proclaim or declare something and it does not come to pass, or come true, then you know that they are a false prophet. There is no “oops” or, “I made a mistake, what I meant to say was”. No, you lied, you false prophet! God clearly says, “when a prophet speaks in the name of the LORD, if the word does not come to pass or come true, that is a word that the LORD has not spoken; the prophet has spoken it presumptuously. You need not be afraid of him” (Deuteronomy 18:22 ESV). So be careful when someone whispers in your ear at a church revival that you are about to get a brand-new mansion or a boatload of money! Especially if they say you need to sow a thousand-dollar seed into their ministry. God does not need a thousand-dollar seed to bless you. 

The pathway to Christ will not always be easy. There will be setbacks and heartaches. But while you are going through the tough times and you are in the midst of giving up, cling on to the words of Jeremiah 29:11. But be sure to cling on to it for the right reasons; not the false hope of thinking that God is going to take away the suffering because of who you are, but, in the truth of His gospel, that He will give you hope in the midst of it all. The pathway can be good, it can be prosperous. The pathway to Christ, if you are obedient, holds a great future.

Thank you for supporting this project. It is my endeavor to share the love of Christ and how easy it is to accept Him into your heart. Pathway to Christ is a great book for the new believer, as well as the seasoned Christian. It's an easy read and one that even the youth can understand. Use it for your life groups and youth groups. Click here to order your copy today. If you would like to submit a bulk order you can email me at lifeswordministry@gmail.com.

Life's Word Ministry