A Way That Seems Right
“There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death” (Proverbs 14:12).
There are those today who live a good moral life. They are good to their families and try to live a good ethical life. If they see someone in need, they are there for them. They have been successful in all they have done and consider themselves on the right path. Everything has worked out for them in business and in their personal lives. There have been difficulties that have come into their lives but they have come through them still standing and still trusting in their own ability to weather the storms of life. They are proud regarding all they have accomplished in life and believe that they have it all figured out. They believe that they can handle anything that might come against them in the life that they have built. If you ask them if they believe in God, they may answer in the affirmative, but the Lord is far from their thoughts and their faith is in themselves.
Those that approach life in this manner are on very dangerous ground. The drug addict knows that they are not on the right path. The alcoholic knows that they are not living the life that they should. But the moral and ethical individual does not see that although a good moral life is something that is commendable, it is not enough. They see no warning signs in their life like the drug addict or alcoholic might see. Seemingly, everything is going along fine. In their mind there is no need to fix anything – there life seems blessed. But, is it in light of eternity? Jesus gave us the answer for those traveling this path in the following verse:
“Jesus answered, ‘Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water (natural birth) and the Spirit (spiritual birth brought about by God), he cannot enter the Kingdom of God (speaks of Salvation)” (John 3:5).
Once we place eternity in sight, the answer comes into clear view. Again, these individuals, whoever they might be, are on dangerous ground. We are only one heartbeat away from eternity. We do not know when our soul will be required of us. We will all stand before the Lord and give account for ourselves. For those of us that know the Lord, we will be welcomed into the very Presence of the Lord for eternity. But what happens to those that have lived their lives without the Lord relying on their own ability. Well, they will be judged by how they lived their lives.
We do not want to be judged by our works, by what we have accomplished in our own strength in our lives. The Bible says that “There is none good, no not one” and “For all have sinned, and come short of the Glory of God.” Good works and living a good life, although admirable, will not gain us Heaven. Well, what is the standard that the Lord requires? It’s perfection, and that is something that is impossible for anyone to attain. So, what is the answer?
The Lord, in His Mercy and Grace, made a way for all those who realize that, in ourselves, we can not measure up to what the Lord requires. In fact, the Bible tells us that we are “dead in our treaspases and sins” prior to coming to Him in repentance and faith. We must place our faith in the only perfect Man, the God Man, and His sacrificial death at Calvary.
We cannot live a life pleasing to the Lord without the Lord. It’s that simple, Jesus paid the price for our sins at Calvary and living a life without Him is sin no matter how moral. By placing our faith in Christ and Him crucified we are born again and walk in “Newness of Life.”
Is it enough to live a good moral life? I think we’ve shown that it is not. There is great danger for those traveling this path. The Gospel is the answer for those who realize this. I pray that any that might be going this way of living a life in their own strength without God would turn to Him. His love extends to all those who will come His way. He stands ready to forgive and offer them a Salvation that will result in an eternity in His Presence.
“That if you shall confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus, and shall believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you shall be saved” (Romans 10:9).
If you have been traveling along life’s road without the Lord, the links below will explain the Gospel and provide you with The Sinner’s Prayer that has been prayed by millions. Today is the Day of Salvation! Won’t you come home to the Lord today?
The ABC’s of Salvation
The Sinner’s Prayer
Always Remember,
God Loves You!
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