Generally, the term “way” identifies a method for doing something. We often say, “Do it this way,” meaning one should imitate our actions. Teachers use behavioral tasks because knowledge is invisible, but its application is not. The mind is revealed by the way one behaves.
One may say he or she is a friend, but we know it by the way he or she acts. The way one drives, talks, or does a job reveals inner dispositions. James, one of the leaders in the first church with Peter and John, wrote what some think is the very first apostolic letter. Within about ten years of Christ’s ascension James wrote faith is observed in the way people act.
But someone will say, "You have faith; I have deeds." Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by what I do. You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder. You foolish man, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is useless? (James 2:18-20, NIV)
This is probably the same James who went on to demonstrate his faith as the first apostle to be martyred. He was beheaded around 62 A.D. The way of faith is not to be lightly dismissed. This epistle suggests one of the earliest issues confronting the church was, “How can we tell who has faith?” James, speaking for the Apostles, answered from his experiences as one of Jesus’ inner circle—the way one lives reveals faith.
Jesus did not command his disciples to believe. He knew saying, “Trust me, I’m God,” was impossible to believe. He simply said, “Follow me.” If they followed, they saw Jesus communing with God and doing things only God could do. Eventually, they could conclude none other than Jesus was the Son of God. His way connected him to God.
Thus, we arrive at a key definition distinguishing Jesus from all others. He said, “My way is the only way to the Father.” This distinction is one culturally sensitive people dislike. Most concede Jesus is a way. They are quick to allow (perhaps with a smirk) that Jesus may be our way, but good, tolerant, inclusive, peace-loving folks acknowledge other ways, too. You may have thought this yourself—how could God be so narrow-minded and exclusive? Not one way, but may ways—Buddha’s way, Mohammed’s way, Moses’ way, or my way. In essence, whatever way anyone decides is best for them—whatever way you decide is best for you.
Well, Christians do not believe this. There are a number of good reasons why this is so. The main reason appears intellectually weak because it claims authority from itself—much like saying, “I’m right because I say I am.” Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life—no one comes to the Father except by me” (John 14:6, emphasis added).
Before anyone gets too upset, remember we are considering the way a thing is done. If I explained, “This is the way to spell ‘Atlanta,’” few would argue that to be fair, other combinations of letters ought to work just as well. “That’s the way to the kitchen,” but shouldn’t all ways lead to the kitchen? That would be absurd. A “way” has two parts, a method (path) and an objective (destination). In the case of Jesus, Buddha, Mohammed, Moses, or L. Ron Hubbard one must consider objectives for the method to make sense.
Many think all religions are basically the same, but this is intellectually shallow and obviously untrue. The objectives of Buddhism and Hinduism are to live above suffering and escape the rebirth cycle. The objective of Islam is to honor God through justice and return to Eden. The objective of Judaism is to honor God through keeping The Law of Moses. The objective of Confucianism is respectful relationships. The objective of Taoism is non-resistance and the middle path. The objective of humanism is fulfilling human potential. The objective of science is empirical understanding. The objective of Christianity is a relationship with God in the way of Jesus.
Some will say, “Its clear Christians are obsessed with this ‘Jesus’ fellow.” Christians believe God became human in the form of Jesus to show us the way to support his side in the Great Rebellion. C.S. Lewis said, “This man we are talking about either was (and is) just what He said or else a lunatic, or something worse.” Christians are crazy—they believe in a heavenly rebellion led by unseen principals, incarnation behind enemy lines, and a grand storyline in which the incarnation conquers death and reclaims our rebel planet. In today’s world this sounds more like a video game than a reality.
Yet, it is the way Christians have historically seen things.
Religions have different ways because they have different objectives. The different paths often cross or merge for stretches, but in the end they lead to distinct destinations. Three of the world’s major religions—Christianity, Judaism, and Islam—attempt to placate God and almost all significant religious paths merge at “Do as you would be done unto,” but only Christianity ends at Jesus as God. Christ as the way applies if you are trying to reach his objective—a personal, meaningful relationship with God.
We live on a rebellious planet. Lucifer started the Great Rebellion and brought it to Earth. The war cry of the Rebellion is, “I am wise—I know what’s best.” Those opposing the Rebellion say, “God is wise and His Way is best.” Christians state, “His Way is revealed in Christ.” A clever rebel will say, “But aren’t you just dreaming up God, Jesus, and this rebellion business? You are guilty of defining your own reality.” I can only reply, “I believe this is not the case.”
I bring this point up now because Christianity leans upon faith and rebels lean upon intellect—the fuel of the Rebellion. Ironically, trusting intellect is faith in self. The Great Rebellion provides a framework for analyzing the many ways of this world. A simple question emerges: From which side of the Rebellion does something flow? The Great Rebellion focuses on reason and self—the human way. Those in the Resistance focus upon God’s way.
I must share a personal note here about how deeply the spirit of rebellion runs. Almost every breakthrough in faith has come at the realization of how selfish I truly am. Throughout my Christian pilgrimage I’ve resisted submitting to just about everything and everybody. My way was always a bit better. I was friendly, had talent, and some engaging ideas. Sadly, if whatever I was involved in didn’t spin my way, entertain me, or agreed with me, I’d check out. Inwardly I’d evaluate prayers, offerings, study techniques, teaching, leadership, and worship styles, etc. For years I rejected repeating the Lord’s Prayer because it seemed “, artificial” and “insincere.” Whenever someone read a prayer or preached a less-than-dynamic sermon I’d secretly think, “I could have done better than that!”
What a jerk! I was more often than not left wanting something more—always looking for Six Flays Over Jesus or Beatles Worship Bands. I’m still learning the discipline of faithful submission—to recognize the Holy Spirit’s power in things I’d formerly dismissed as weak or poor versions of faith. Turns out the greater part of my life has been spent in missing the Spirit’s wisdom and fellowship because I though I was the “active ingredient” in Christianity. It turns out God is everywhere—even in those Catholic masses you can watch on EWTN on cable. Pride is NOT God’s way, but we might consider discussing that later.
Those trying to quit rebelling and join the Resistance eventually must consider, “How can I know God’s way?” If the answer is human it is tainted by the Rebellion with self-centeredness and corruption. If the answer is from God it is perfection and exceeds human capacity. Thus, at the right time, while we were yet rebels, God infiltrated Earth as a human (Romans 5). God became human to demonstrate his love while defeating the principals (and principles) of the Great Rebellion. God became Jesus and demonstrated the way to live on a rebellious planet. The way to the Father is Jesus. God, in Jesus, said, “Do it this way.”
