What a wonderful promise from God! There will be a time in our future where if we have pledged our allegiance to Jesus Christ, asked Him to forgive our sins, and surrendered our lives to His command, then we shall enjoy an eternity with Him in perfection.
I love the imagery of the highway, in part I'm sure because I've always loved to travel. But travel is not just about the destination, its a chance to experience new surroundings, to learn and to meet new people, to overcome new challenges. Well, the Way of Holiness will be like no other journey we've ever taken.
Before we dive in to this scripture let me ask you a question, "Have you ever planned a trip that you really didn't want to take?" If you ended up taking that trip it probably wasn't a great experience. I've found the best trips are when I am prepared and eager to shed my current view and enthusiastic about seeking out a new place to explore. The same preparation is true if we want to gain access to God's highway as well. You see, there are conditions for who can even enter this road . . .
1) All who are unclean cannot enter. But you may say, aren't we all sinners? Don't we all deserve death, and judgement? And you would be correct. ". . . for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." (Romans 3:23 ESV) So how can we be made clean? Who can heal us from this terminal disease?
Jesus!
"Since we’ve compiled this long and sorry record as sinners (both us and them) and proved that we are utterly incapable of living the glorious lives God wills for us, God did it for us. Out of sheer generosity he put us in right standing with himself. A pure gift. He got us out of the mess we’re in and restored us to where he always wanted us to be. And he did it by means of Jesus Christ. God sacrificed Jesus on the altar of the world to clear that world of sin. Having faith in him sets us in the clear." (Romans 3:22-25 The Message)
2) Okay we've seen how the unclean, (which is all of us), can be transformed and made worthy to enter the Way of Holiness. But even after I accept Jesus I still sometimes do stupid things, like doubting God and His goodness, or wanting things that He has told me I shouldn't have. And we haven't even touched on my personal faults, my temper, my selfishness, etc. Thankfully, the Bible tells us that even if we are fools, we cannot lose our place on this Highway! He will make sure we arrive safely to our eternal destination!
You see, despite my fears, doubts, bad choices and even unfaithfulness, God says that my works, are not what saved me. Let's meditate on the words of we read above once again . . . "Since we’ve compiled this long and sorry record as sinners, and proved that we are utterly incapable of living the glorious lives God wills for us, God did it for us. Out of sheer generosity he put us in right standing with himself. A pure gift." (Romans 3: 23-24 The Message)
Nothing we can do will ever change our standing with God if we have believed in Jesus Christ! (Though make sure you understand that the word "believe" means way more than just belief, the demons believe but they are not saved. It means surrender, to give Jesus the keys to my life, to exchange my desires for His, to give Him everything I am.
3) There will be no more sin! "But nothing unclean will ever enter it, nor anyone who does what is detestable or false, but only those who are written in the Lamb’s book of life." (Revelation 21:27 ESV) The one who has tormented us since our birth will not have that chance in Heaven. No angel, no human, no creature, that does not fully love and serve God will ever gain access to God's eternal reward.
“Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.” (Revelation 21: 3-4 ESV)
Does that sound like a place you would like to live? After all of our struggles, challenges, pain, and death on this planet, don't you long for joy? For peace? For rest? For eternal happiness? If this destination sounds too good to be true then you are listening to the wrong voices. God has made it abundantly clear through His Word that He longs to gather all of His people into this land of the living.
But we get a choice. We can choose to forever discard this invitation, and live our lives as we please here on earth. He will allow us that freedom. But for ever action there is a reaction, and the result of that choice will be a life forever separated from God, and His love. I beg you to give this choice the time and the sobriety that it deserves. Your eternal soul is at stake so please don't be swayed by friends, family, or even your own experiences. Seek Him, and He promises that you will find Him. "Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come near to God and he will come near to you." (James 4:7-8 NIV)
I hope to see you on the great highway!
