By Jimmy Tuten
Introduction:
A. The way to Zion is described as a “highway and a way” in the Messianic section of Isaiah (Heb. 12:22; Isa. 35:18). It is natural that the highway via the church that leads to the heavenly city be called “a way.”
I . God completed this highway when He sent His Son into the world (Jn. 3:16).
2. When Jesus exited this world He was King of King (1 Tim. 6:15), hence the “King’s highway.”
B. Jesus was so connected with the preparation of the way of salvation that He spoke of Himself as I ‘the way” (Jn. 14:6).
1 . He is the truth, the Way by which we have knowledge of God and His will. Without this Truth there would be no knowledge!
2. He, the mediator, is the Way by which we ourselves come into contact with God Himself (2 Cor. 5:19).
3. He, the propitiation, is the Way by which we ascend to forgiveness and reconciliation.
4. He, the life, is the Way by which we rise to loving, eternal fellowship with God the Father. Without this way there would be no living!
C. This Way is not exclusive, but rather it is for all races and all nations, for all who have lived all kinds of lives, for men of all tempers and dispositions with ample room for all. Jesus died for all that all may have life (1 Jn. 2:2; 4:10).
Body:
I. First, let It be established that the passage in Isaiah 35 is Messianic.
A. Note that the passage constitutes a message of Jehovah to the people who await His appearing and salvation (Isa. 35:1-8). They are to be strong for their deliverance is sure; miracles surpassing all that they ever dreamed of will be worked in their behalf; they will behold wonders during their pilgrimage; the holy way will be plain, followed only by the pure in heart and in Zion there will be songs of everlasting joy.
B. The expression, “he will come and save you, finds its true fulfillment in Christ Jesus (Matt. 11:1-6; 15:30-31; Jn. 3:1-3; 20:30-31).
II. Isaiah speaks of a way of holiness, a Way of Salvation and this suggests a pilgrimage of those who are called of God.
A. It is proper therefore to take the lead of the prophet as. he stood on the hill tops of Israel long ago and present this story under the likeness of a way leading from earth to glory.
B. The age of travel in which we live is a spiritual way as well (Heb. 11:13; 1 Pet. 2:11).
C. About this way we need to know four things:
1. Is there a highway today that leads to salvation?
2. Where or what is that way?
3. Where may I learn of it?
4. Is there anything to hinder me from entering it?
III. Yes, there is a way of salvation today.
A. Matthew 7:13-14, sometimes pictured as a race (Heb. 12:1; 1 Cor. 9:24). The gate thereof is so narrow that man must shed his swollen pride, his laden of vices and his wrapped around selfishness if he expects to enter the way.
B. Objection: “We are all seeking the same objective. I am going one way, you are going another way, but we shall all land in the same location.”
1 . Whether in prophecy or fulfillment the Bible speaks of “a way,” “a highway,” “the way,” etc.
2. Jesus is the way and He is one (Jn. 14:1-6; Eph. 4:4). Therefore, there is only one way. “The way of the cross leads home.”
IV. What or where Is that way?
A. The way is Christ (Jn. 14:1-6; Eph. 4:4-5). Cf. Jn. 10:1,9.
B. He is the leader of all souls and the guide of all who travel to the sky (Heb. 5:9).
V. Where may I get information about this way?
A. John 5:39 – “. . . testify of me.” The “me” is the way. The Scriptures are the Divine road map telling one how to get to heaven.
B. 2 Tim. 3:16-17 – It is a perfect road-map. One will not go wrong if he follows its instructions.
VI. How may I get onto the way?
A. John 6.44-45 – One must be drawn to the Lord. But the question is: “How are we drawn?”
1. There are scattered and varied answers to this question.
2. If we allow theology and speculation to enter the question, confusion exists. Men are determined to sustain their cherished theories.
3. The Bible, the Divine road-map must be allowed to have complete voice in the matter.
B. Inherent Total Depravity says that one cannot be drawn except by miraculous workings of the Holy Spirit apart from the Word (direct operation of the Spirit).
1. This position ignores the free moral agency of man.
2. It ignores man’s responsibleness in complying with the will of God.
3. Man cannot be drawn to God aside from the power of God. That power is the gospel (Rom. 1:16). Hence: “heard . . . learned . . . cometh unto me.”
4. This shows the importance of the preaching of the gospel (Matt. 28:18-20; 2 Tim. 4:14).
C. The Word of God produces faith (Rom. 10:17), without which no man can be saved (Heb. 11:6; Jas. 2:24).
1. Faith cause one to repent (Acts 2:38; 17:30), and confess Christ (Matt. 10:32; Rom. 10:10).
2. Faith is unto salvation, repentance is unto salvation and confession is unto salvation (Rom. 10: 10; Acts 11:18). “Unto” simply means “to, toward, in the direction of” and it never means a transference from without to within. It is simply approaching Christ, coming toward or moving in that direction. One has to come unto before he can get into (illustrate by moving a knife toward an open hand, then placing it into the palm. No into without an unto). When someone come unto our house and knocks on the door, we respond by saying, “come in” (into the house).
VII. Is there anything to hinder one from entering the way? A. Yes, baptism. When one is baptized, he is baptized into Christ (Rom. 6:1-6; Gal. 3:26-27; 1 Cor. 12:13). One cannot be baptized into without coming unto the Way. Study carefully Romans 10: 10, 13-17, then show that baptism follows faith (Mk. 16:16).
Guardian of Truth XXX: 9, pp. 262-263
May 1, 1986