(Act)‬ ‭18‬:‭25‬-‭26‬ ‭CJB “This man had been informed about the Way of the Lord, and with great spiritual fervor he spoke and taught accurately the facts about Yeshua, but he knew only the immersion of Yochanan. He began to speak out boldly in the synagogue; but when Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they took him aside and explained to him the Way of God in fuller detail.”

The Way of the Lord is an interesting description of Christianity. Luke tells us that the disciples were first called “Christians” in Antioch, but throughout Acts he repeatedly describes followers of Jesus as belonging to “the Way.”

That wasn’t an entirely new idea.

From the beginning, God has revealed a way in which His people should walk.

Long before Moses received the Law, God said Abraham would teach his household to “keep the way of ADONAI” (Genesis 18:19). Later, God’s Law and prophets revealed His character and instructed Israel how His covenant people should live.

God never intended to have a people who merely knew things about Him.

He wanted a people who walked in His ways.

The Way of the Lord Leads to Jesus

Then Yochanan the Immerser appeared, fulfilling Isaiah’s prophecy: “Prepare the way of ADONAI.”

John wasn’t merely preparing people to receive some additional religious instruction.

He was preparing them to receive Jesus.

And then Jesus made an astounding declaration: “I AM the Way—and the Truth and the Life; no one comes to the Father except through me.” John 14:6 CJB

Everything ultimately leads to Him.

Jesus isn’t merely someone who teaches us God’s way.

Jesus is the Way.

No one is reconciled to the Father by keeping the Law, performing religious works, being morally respectable, or sincerely following another spiritual path.

We come to the Father through Jesus Christ alone.

But following the Way doesn’t end with believing the right facts about Jesus.

It produces a new way of life.

People of the Way Should Walk Like Jesus

God’s purpose for His children is that we become “conformed to the pattern of his Son” (Romans 8:29).

That means Christianity isn’t merely about getting our theology right and waiting for heaven.

God is forming a family that increasingly bears the likeness of His Son.

We should increasingly display His character.

Love. Holiness. Humility. Compassion. Courage. Faithfulness.

We should share His commitment.

Jesus lived in complete submission to His Father. He could say, “I always do what pleases him” (John 8:29).

And we should participate in His commission.

Jesus called His first disciples to follow Him and become fishers of men. He came “to seek and save what was lost” and eventually commanded His followers to make disciples of all nations.

Think of it as:

Character. Commitment. Commission.

God is conforming us to the character of Jesus, teaching us the obedient commitment of Jesus, and sending us into the commission of Jesus.

That’s the Way of the Lord.

Not obedience instead of faith.

Not obedience to earn salvation.

But obedience flowing from genuine faith in the One who saved us.

As 1 John 2:6 puts it, whoever claims to remain united with Him “should live just as he lived.”

Run Today’s Play

Men, ask yourself a harder question than:

“Do I believe the right things about Jesus?”

Ask:

“Does the way I’m living increasingly look like Jesus?”

Look at your character.

Look at your obedience.

Look at your mission.

Where is your life inconsistent with the Way you claim to follow?

Identify one area today.

Repent where necessary. Submit it to Jesus. Then obey what you already know He has commanded.

Jesus didn’t merely call us to believe in the Way. He called us to follow Him because He is the Way.

Now walk in it.