Your final destination will be decided by the path you take.

By Gary Bertram

We are faced with many options in the world we live in. Sometimes the number of choices can be overwhelming! A while back, my wife and I had a new house built. There were more options than I cared to think about. There were cabinets to select, flooring options to consider, and myriads of carpet samples to choose from. Decisions had to be made about the woodwork, the paint color, the fixtures, the appliances, and so on. There were so many choices to make that at times I couldn't sleep at night!

Many of the choices we make are somewhat inconsequential in the big picture of life. However, there is one choice we all face that has eternal consequences: Which path will we take in regard to our eternal destiny? There are only two options, and they are described in Proverbs 4:14-18. We read, “Enter not into the path of the wicked, and go not in the way of evil men.”

Solomon, the writer of these verses, goes on to describe that path. He says that those on the path of the wicked do not sleep unless they have done mischief or have caused someone to fall. In the seventeenth verse he says that “they eat the bread of wickedness, and drink the wine of violence.” This passage was written a long time ago, but it perfectly describes a large segment of society today.

Then we read verse 18, which describes the path of the just—the other option. “The path of the just is as the shining light that shineth more and more unto that perfect day.” What a beautiful picture! The path of the just brings happiness. The path of the just is one of light, of daytime, of perfection. It is a joyful way!

Making the choice to step onto the path of the just will be life-changing. This is not simply thinking we are saved without experiencing a change in our lives. It is not someone telling us that we are saved because we answered a few questions or agreed with some philosophy or doctrine. Stepping onto this path requires a transforming experience with Jesus Christ. Our lives are changed; we are delivered from sin. Even the desire for sinful things is gone. When we step onto this path, we see the beauty of the Gospel. God opens our eyes, and we catch a glimpse through His precious Word of the glories that lie ahead.

Solomon, the writer of Proverbs, faced the same choice we face today. When his father, King David, was in the last days of his life, he gathered the congregation of Israel before him. King David told them how he had longed to build the Temple for the Ark of the Covenant. However, God had showed him the builder of that Temple would be his son, Solomon.

David's words are recorded in 1 Chronicles 28:8. He challenged his son: “Now therefore in the sight of all Israel the congregation of the Lord, and in the audience of our God, keep and seek for all the commandments of the Lord your God: that ye may possess this good land, and leave it for an inheritance for your children after you for ever.” David was pointing Solomon to the path of the just.

David went on in verse 9, “And thou, Solomon my son, know thou the God of thy father.” He was not speaking of acquiring head knowledge. Many of us had head knowledge of God, but that did not change our hearts. We were still on the path of the wicked. This knowledge of God that David spoke about was an intimate relationship with Him—a closeness, a bonding that we can enjoy today.

God does not want us to linger on the path that the devil has put before those who serve him—the path of the wicked that ends in eternal punishment. David warned Solomon, “If thou forsake him, he will cast thee off for ever.” He was saying, “If you choose the path of the wicked, you will be eternally lost.” God is a loving God who gives us more opportunities and chances than we deserve. It is only at the last time, at the last refusal, that the door of mercy is shut. May God help us not to cross that line! Yes, there is a line that is drawn and we can refuse until our last opportunity is past. But that is not God's will for us. His will is for us to step onto the pathway of the just. God wants us to serve Him; God wants us to be in Heaven with Him at the end of the road.

Solomon's words in the fourth chapter of Proverbs indicate that God had taught him the importance of choosing the path of the just. In the tenth verse, we read, “Hear, O my son, and receive my sayings and the years of thy life shall be many.” This promise means much more than just extended years of life; it points to our spiritual lives being rich with increase. Do you like the sound of that? Your spiritual life will be rich with increase for many years. God promises that, and He always delivers on His promises.

Proverbs 4:12 says, “When thou goest, thy steps shall not be straitened, and when thou runnest thou shall not stumble.” In the original language, the word straitened meant “restrained” or “confined.” So our steps will not be restrained or confined. That sounds like liberty! That sounds like freedom! Our steps will be the steps of a free person.

I felt that way the night I stepped onto the path of the just. When I was saved, I was delivered, thank God. The tobacco products went in the garbage; the liquor went down the drain. The drugs no longer appealed to me. I knew in my heart that I didn't need them anymore; there was no desire for them. That is what the Lord did for me. That is what He has done for everyone who has come onto the path of the just!

People stop short of stepping onto that path, and then they wonder why God has not helped them. Why are they still bound with sin? We need to pay the price to receive the benefits of the path of the just. We need to make a definite choice to step into that way.

The Prophet Isaiah also talked about the way of the just. In Isaiah 35:8, he referred to it as “The way of holiness,” saying that “the unclean shall not pass over it.” The way of the just is for the pure in heart. In that verse, Isaiah said, “a way.” There are not two ways for the just; there is a way. It is for the redeemed—for those who have been bought by the Blood of Christ.

Jesus spoke of two ways, but He did not change the message. He was pointing out the choice that must be made: the way of the just, or the way of the wicked. He said there is a broad way with a wide gate. The millions of people who have turned against God and have said in their hearts, “I will not listen,” have caused their own destiny. Jesus said their choice leads to destruction. Why would anyone choose destruction, pain, and suffering for eternity?

Jesus also said the way of life is a “strait” gate—there is that word “strait” again. The entrance to the path of the just is not wide; it is restricted. God did not intend that the way to Heaven would exclude anyone. The gate is not restricted in order to prevent people from entering, for as many as want to may go through it. It is big enough, but we have to choose it, and only a few will make that choice. We will not stumble onto it. We are not going to find the narrow way by accident. We will have to want it with all of our hearts. However, when we do make that choice, we find that it leads to life everlasting!

Many speak of Heaven and want to reach the goal at the end of the path of the just, but they do not want to take the path that leads there. The enemy of our souls would tell us that life on the path of the just is too binding and there is no freedom. He is a liar. If we give our lives to Christ, we are going to know freedom like we have never known before!

Today, the doorway to the path of the just is open. We do not know how many more days we have until God says, “This is the Day!” and sends Jesus to take His people out of this wicked world to their eternal Home. We can be ready for that day! It is going to be worth it all to know that we have made our peace with God.

Today, if you do not know you are saved, make the choice to step onto the path of the just. You will never be sorry!

Gary Bertram is a minister of the Apostolic Faith Church in Tacoma, Washington.