It's important to understand and heed directions. When travelling, if we receive directions from someone, often we'll write it down, and refer to it several times while making the trip, being sure that we don't make a wrong turn. Jesus said of Himself, "I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me." (John 14:6). The way to the Father is an exclusive way, Jesus Christ alone. Let us consider some thoughts about the way as expressed in Galatians 2:20.

IT IS A UNITED WAY!
Paul says, "I have been crucified with Christ". There is a unity between the believer and Christ Jesus. In Romans 6, the apostle speaks about the likeness or unity we share in our baptism with the Lord's death, burial and resurrection. He reasons, "...if we have been united together in the likeness of His death, certainly we also shall be in the likeness of His resurrection, knowing this, that our old man was crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves of sin." (Romans 6:5-6).

To the brethren in Colosse, Paul writes, "If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth, for you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God." (Colossians 3:1-3). We ought to conduct ourselves in the way that is right and acceptable to Him, since we have been "raised with Christ" (from death), and our "life is hidden with Christ". There is a unity which exists between us and the Lord, which behooves us to heed the words of God Himself, "Be holy for I am holy." (Leviticus 20:7; 1 Peter 1:15). And indeed, Amos asks, "Can two walk together, unless they be agreed?" (Amos 3:3).

IT IS A TRANSPLANTED WAY!
The writer continues, "...it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me..." Because of our unity with Christ, our life will be greatly altered. As seen above, our "...life is hidden with Christ in God." (Colossians 3:3). It is no more our own life, but it belongs to the Lord (Acts 20:28; 1 Corinthians 6:20). Thus, our manner of life should be as He would have it be.

Paul entreats the saints in Rome, "The night is far spent, the day is at hand. Therefore let us cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light. Let us walk properly, as in the day, not in revelry and drunkenness, not in lewdness and lust, not in strife and envy. But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts." (Romans 13:12-14). We must put on the armor provided by the Lord (Ephesians 6:11-17). We must put on the Lord (Galatians 3:27). There is a new man which we put on when we were united with the Lord in the likeness of His death, burial and resurrection (Ephesians 4:24; Colossians 3:10).

The Bible speaks of the need for new heart (Ezekiel 18:31; 36:26; Psalms 51:10). As with all successful transplants, the old, corrupt organs must be removed. Thus, the Bible writer tells us to "...lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us..." (Hebrews 12:1). We are commanded to "...put off....the old man..." (Ephesians 4:22; Colossians 2:9). James admonishes, "...lay aside all filthiness and overflow of wickedness, and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls." (James 1:21).

IT IS A TRANSFORMED WAY
Paul goes on, "...and the life that I now live in the flesh, I live by faith in the Son of God..." This new life in Christ Jesus has renewed purpose; it has a definite motivation, faith in Christ Jesus. It is a life which is in contrast to the path the world would call us to. Paul writes, "I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God." (Romans 12:1-2).

Whenever we see a word with the prefix "trans", it deals with a change. Transportation deals with a change of location. Transcommunication deals with moving information. Translate is to change from one language to another. A transaction involves the moving of funds from one entity to another. And we could go on and on. But notice, Paul says we are to be "...transformed by the renewing of your mind..." A changed is expected in the way we think. God's word should be on the forefront of our thoughts, and thus, affect our attitude and outward conduct.

Our faith in Christ is the catalyst for these changes. The Hebrew writer bluntly declares, "...without faith it is impossible to please Him..." (Hebrews 11:6). Jesus Himself said, "...if you do not believe that I am He, you will die in your sins." (John 8:24).

IT IS A PREPARED WAY!
Of the Son of God, the apostle declares, "...who loved me and gave Himself for me." There has been preparation made for us. We could not save ourselves, and thus the Son of God prepared for us. Peter speaks about Jesus as the One "...who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness --- by whose stripes you were healed." (1 Peter 2:24). This salvation in Christ Jesus was God's plan from before the foundation of the world (1 Peter 1:20).

Not only did the Lord make preparation to save us, but He prepared the way in which we now walk. Paul commented to the people of Ephesus, "...we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them." (Ephesians 2:10). God has given us works to do. To Titus, Paul said that Jesus "...gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works." (Titus 2:14).

And the preparation doesn't stop there. Recall in John 14:1-3, Jesus conversation with His disciples? "Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also." The Son of God is presently preparing an eternal dwelling place for us in the heavens!

Friends, let us diligently follow the Lord's direction. If we are lost and stop for directions, we are careful to follow precisely the directions that are given to us, and thus are able to get back on our journey. Which of us, having been told to go two blocks, turn left; then five sets of lights, turn right; and then about half a mile on the right will try going one block, turning right, four sets of lights, then turn right, and expect to be at the right location a mile down the road on the left? It would be absolute foolishness! We would do ourselves an eternal favour to heed the directions of the Lord. He has written it down for us; it is simple to understand --- let's walk the way as God has prescribed and live.

Click here for this week's Answering The Atheist
Does God change? Malachi 3:6, James 1:17 and 1 Samuel 15:29 say He does not, but Jonah 3:10 and Genesis 6:6 say He does.