RE-ROUTING

Having a keen sense of directionality is quite the blessing, and not having it, or losing it, at the least, can be a frustrating thing. To help we've had trails with certain milestones to guide us: reading the stars to help navigate, compasses to lead us, and of course conventional maps so that our drive to Nashville doesn't end up in New York. That would be an excessively 'scenic' route. Modern man has always had his maps, and with each generation the capabilities seem to grow.

But how do you get from natural to spiritual, from imperfect to perfect, from common to holy?
We can figure the trajectory from one place on earth to another place on the moon, so certainly we can do the work to get to heaven, and be in the presence of God. Right?
There must be a recipe for getting to heaven---the use of ingredients that will render us acceptable to God now and hereafter. There must be a 'GPS'.

"Be holy for I am holy."
That is quite a tall order! Yet it is a constant from the Hebrew Bible, and the New Testament.
Some would diminish, marginalize, or even delete the holiness piece, such as to make the presence of God more attainable, more 'politically correct,’ perhaps even to let the love and kindness of God excuse us from being necessarily 'holy;’ but then would God continue to be just, and if unjust, would not His own holiness be lessened? Hmmn. That won't work.
He must then make a way-- for the way that He requires of us-- that we draw near in time and in eternity. The way made is a choice, made freely.

"But now apart from the Law, the righteousness of God has been manifested, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets, even the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all those who believe; for there is no distinction; for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, being justified as a gift by His grace through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus; whom God displayed publicly as a propitiation in His blood through faith. This was to demonstrate His righteousness, because in the forbearance of God He passed over the sins previously committed; for the demonstration, I say, of His righteousness at the present time that He might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus." Romans 3:21-26 (NASB)
God is just and justifier.

The message of the gospel is the answer:
"God sent not His Son into the world, to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved." John 3:17
Jesus paid it all! To believe this is to be saved!

"...I am the way, the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me." John 14:6 [Jesus speaking to Thomas]
Jesus paid it all! To believe this is to be saved!

"...that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you shall be saved; for with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation... 'Whoever believes in Him will not be disappointed.'" Romans 10:9-11

So, by way of that divine GPS we have the direction and means to be certainly saved. And being certainly saved, we have the divine directing of the Holy Spirit and God's Word to stay on track; God's Plan of Salvation and the global positioning system for eternal life and the heavenly.

"But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I said to you. Peace, I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives, do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful." John 14:26-27

"All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work." 2 Timothy 3:16,17

"Jesus paid it all,” is the rock upon which all re-routing succeeds, guaranteed!
To believe this is salvation, bringing the perfect to the imperfect, yet while perfecting!
Jesus paid it all.

Prayer : Dear Lord, thank You for Your gracious giving, and for baring Your heart on the cross, that my life might begin. I bless You now, and evermore! Amen.
By Bro. McNeal Brockington