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THE WAY

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Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Apr 23, 1901

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 78, No. 17.

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THE WAY

By B. W. Marsh

B. W. MARSH (Las Animas, Colo.)
The gospel of Jesus Christ has never offered more than it offers now. The I AM of the ages is the I AM of the chosen to-day. To Abraham He said, “I am thy shield, and thy exceeding great reward.” Gen. 15:1. To the Israelitish slaves He sent the beautiful message by Moses: “I AM hath sent me unto you.” Ex. 3:14. And that all might see forever that the chain of glory connecting earth and heaven is securely linked, He tells the beloved disciple: I am “the first and the last,” “the bright and morning star.” Rev. 22:13, 16. But to the multitude of disciples, He says, “I am the way.”
Of byways there are many, but this is the only royal highway. This is the royal way, because all who walk in it are kings and priests unto God. It is a high way, not a low way. It is so high that nothing earthly, sensual, or devilish can get into it. “And it shall be called, The way of holiness; the unclean shall not pass over it; but it shall be for those: the wayfaring men, though fools, shall not err therein. No lion shall be there, nor any ravenous beast shall go up thereon, it shall not be found there; but the redeemed shall walk there.” Isa. 35:8, 9. Jesus says, “Him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.” Mary Magdalene, the demon-rent creatures from the tombs, and the guilt-stricken harlot at the gate of the temple are all examples of forgiving love.
Uncleanness shall never stain the highway of holiness; yet it is especially for the unclean and sinful. How this can be none but the Lord can tell. “Then will I sprinkle clean water upon you, and ye shall be clean: from all your filthiness, and from all your idols, will I cleanse you. A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh. And I will put my Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them. . . . I will also save you from all your uncleannesses: and I will call for the corn, and will increase it, and lay no famine upon you.” Eze. 36:26–29. In this way the redeemed shall walk there.
The world is afraid of God. The appearance of a godly man or woman will in almost every case silence the boisterous gathering. Even the walk of a Christian carries with it the sweet perfume of heavenly rest. The way of holiness is restful, and it matters not how weary one may be, when he hears a voice behind him, saying, “This is the way, walk ye in it,” every action of the life will soon reveal quietness and peace.
“God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” He identified His life with the life of His Son that we might be reconciled to Him. Through Jesus Christ, God wooes and wins the hearts of men. He loves us with an everlasting love, and with loving-kindness draws us to himself.
The Redeemer prayed, “That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me. And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them, that they may be one, even as we are one: I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me.” John 17:21–23. This is the way—the noblest, simplest way that infinite Love can plan. Through the I AM of the ages, the Father of all wooes the human heart; and through this same I AM, sin-polluted souls are led to yield to the gentle embrace of infinite love.
“Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine. When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee. For I am the Lord thy God, the Holy One of Israel, thy Saviour.” Isa. 43:1–3. Many regard the highway of holiness as a lost way, and think that since the days of the Master none have been able to find it; but this is a mistake. The way is not lost, but we all, like sheep, have gone astray. But “thine ears shall hear a word behind thee, saying, This is the way, walk ye in it, when ye turn to the right hand, and when ye turn to the left.” Isa. 30:21. None need be lost. None need die. The voice behind you is the voice of the Redeemer. He longs to do you good. Turn unto Him and live for evermore.