Believing in Christ: The Way

At times, we wander through our lives feeling like we do not have a purpose. It can be easy to get lost in the mundaneness of our jobs and repetition of our routines. This can even lead to a “crisis” at various points in our lives. On the other hand, due to challenges, troubles and obstacles we encounter might invoke a sense of hopelessness and dread regarding our uncertain future. Further, the overwhelming sense of nihilism can make us depressed, falsely making us think that there isn’t much to live for. It is during these times that we need an empathetic guide to lead us through the darkness of the world and into the light of peace. That guide is Jesus Christ, who can be the Way for us out of every situation, provided we believe in Him.

Time and again the LORD has demonstrated His love and care for His people when they are in trouble. It doesn’t matter if it seems like there is no way out, for He will create a way to follow. In Exodus 14:10-20, we read that the people of Israel are stuck between the army of Egypt and the Red Sea. This no doubt is a hopeless situation, and the people react as one would expect. However, the mighty LORD leads them right through the Sea, creating a way no one would have expected. This incident reminds us that through faith in God, anything and everything is possible, even if the obstacles look insurmountable.

Psalm 116 reads as a testimony of the psalmist who thanks God for deliverance from death. I love the Lord, because He has heard My voice and my supplications (v.1). Gracious is the Lord, and righteous; Yes, our God is merciful. The Lord preserves the simple; I was brought low, and He saved me (v. 5,6). For You have delivered my soul from death, My eyes from tears, And my feet from falling. I will walk before the Lord In the land of the living (v. 8,9). This Psalm reminds us that the LORD is gracious and merciful and will deliver everyone who believes and calls His name, by providing a way.

The way shown by the LORD is not just beneficial for us, but also to the people around us. In Acts 16:19-34, we read the account of the jailer who was saved through the witness of Paul and Silas, who despite being beaten and imprisoned sang hymns to God, which resulted in the foundations of the prison being shaken, doors opened and their chains loosened. In the midst of their suffering and persecution they had joy and peace and were able to praise God. Not only did this result in a miraculous way out of the prison, it also resulted in the miraculous opening of the jailor’s heart.

And he brought them out and said, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” So they said, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved, you and your household.” Then they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all who were in his house. And he took them the same hour of the night and washed their stripes. And immediately he and all his family were baptized. Now when he had brought them into his house, he set food before them; and he rejoiced, having believed in God with all his household. Acts 16:30-34

The jailer asked the crucial question, “what must I do to be saved?” and received the simple but profound answer, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved, you and your household.” This let jailer and his household receive the same joy of salvation.

In John 14:1-7, Jesus comforts His disciples by assuring them that He is going to prepare a place for them in His Father's house. He tells them, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me" (v. 6), emphasizing the importance of faith in Christ as the only way to God the Father. Believing in Christ is not just a one-time event but a continual journey of faith. It is not that we must only seek Christ when we face troubles or obstacles, but rather we can depend on Christ to lead the way every single day of our life. This would not just give us a way out of the troubles, but also grant us the joy of salvation and give true purpose and meaning to our lives.

It is by depending on Christ and walking the way they were shown, many godly men and women followed His example of selfless love and service and lived as a beacon for others to receive the same love and joy. By committing ourselves to Christ, we too can embark on the way shown to us which would not just benefit us but everyone in our path.

Let us hold fast to our faith in Christ, trusting that He will lead us through the trials of life and into the safety of His loving arms. Let us also boldly proclaim our faith in Christ, knowing that He is the way, the truth, and the life. Let us share the joy of salvation, testifying the goodness God has done for us and serve the ones in need, spreading the peace of God on earth.