There Is More Than One Way To God

Ok, I admit it. There is actually more than one way to God.

All roads do lead to him. It is how you will be found when you reach the end. What decisions did you make when you were at crossroads, gates, and in the city square? Did you slip into obscurity in the crowds meandering down the wayward path, or did you cry out for wisdom? When you find yourself at the end of the two different paths you are able to take to God, will the path have been one of light and life, or will it have been sin and darkness?

Hebrews 9:27 Just as people are destined to die once, and after that to face judgment,
 

Who was your cruise director or trip planner? Did you choose wisdom or foolishness?

Who is your tour guide in life? Proverbs personifies wisdom that comes from the Holy Spirit as Lady Wisdom and godlessness as the Wayward or Adulterous woman. Looking back on the map of life's decisions, we can tell what voice we listened to when deciding directions.

Proverbs 7:4- (pay attention to the italic and bold)

4 Say to wisdom, “You are my sister,”
    and to insight, “You are my relative.”
5 They will keep you from the adulterous woman,
    from the wayward woman with her seductive words.

6 At the window of my house
    I looked down through the lattice.
7 I saw among the simple,
    I noticed among the young men,
    a youth who had no sense.
8 He was going down the street near her corner,
    walking along in the direction of her house
9 at twilight, as the day was fading,
    as the dark of night set in.

10 Then out came a woman to meet him,
    dressed like a prostitute and with crafty intent.
11 (She is unruly and defiant,
    her feet never stay at home;
12 now in the street, now in the squares,
    at every corner she lurks.)
13 She took hold of him and kissed him
    and with a brazen face she said:

14 “Today I fulfilled my vows,
    and I have food from my fellowship offering at home.
15 So I came out to meet you;
    I looked for you and have found you!
16 I have covered my bed
    with colored linens from Egypt.
17 I have perfumed my bed
    with myrrh, aloes and cinnamon.
18 Come, let’s drink deeply of love till morning;
    let’s enjoy ourselves with love!
19 My husband is not at home;
    he has gone on a long journey.
20 He took his purse filled with money
    and will not be home till full moon.”

21 With persuasive words she led him astray;
    she seduced him with her smooth talk.
22 All at once he followed her
    like an ox going to the slaughter,
like a deer stepping into a noose
23     till an arrow pierces his liver,
like a bird darting into a snare,
    little knowing it will cost him his life.

24 Now then, my sons, listen to me;
    pay attention to what I say.
25 Do not let your heart turn to her ways
    or stray into her paths.
26 Many are the victims she has brought down;
    her slain are a mighty throng.
27 Her house is a highway to the grave,
    leading down to the chambers of death.

The young man went near her corner (hints that there was public knowledge of what would be there), at the close of the day. He was hidden by the shadows of darkness in a place where she was known to lurk and what did she say to him? "look I found you!"

Proverbs 11:27 says, "He that seeks good seeks delight, and he that seeks evil, it will find him."

She led him astray, off the safe path, and he followed her. But, before he ever crossed the road to her corner, he had already let his heart turn to her ways (vs25) Because his heart  was seeking evil, Evil found him, and her house was a highway to the grave leading down to the chambers of death.

How do you protect your heart from being deceived by sin or the adulterous woman? Proverbs says unless the Lord protects a city (heart), guarding it with an army will do no good. Basically meaning , using unforgiveness, pride or ,self righteousness as a shield to defend against biblical advice, teaching or correction will do you no good.  Your heart is open game for attack from deception. We reap what we sow, if we plant seeds of lies, we will reap a harvest of lies. And because our demonic intent was for someone to believe our lie as truth, we will believe a lie.  It is foolish to walk in worldly wisdom that contradicts God's word or commands, and we lie to our self and others when we a ignore the landmarks of foolish living.

Have decisions you made left a dark feeling if someone found out what you were doing?
Are you putting yourself near those willing to keep you accountable to God, or do you seek someone that will make you feel better?
Do you seek reasons to justify a sin you want to commit in the first place?
Are you in a place where you cant walk the main highway because, the "leading astray" has already taken place?

A man or woman doesn't fall into bed and have an affair. Their heart used building blocks of negative thinking to build a wall that resists the command of "thou shalt not commit adultery." Unforgiveness, jealousy, hatred all can be tools, and were present way before they found a person to commit the physical act.

Proverbs 10:17 People who accept discipline are on the PATHWAY to life but those who ignore correction will go astray.

Psalm 36:1-2 Sin whispers to the wicked, deep within their hearts. They have no fear of God at all. In their blind conceit, they cannot see how wicked they really are.

Sin causes blindness and prevents us from seeing it for what it is. Sin leads to death and separation from God, but wisdom or the Holy Spirit is full of grace and mercy. He helps us fight our blindness and seek the way back to a life of light.

Proverbs 28:13-14 People who conceal their sin will not prosper, but if they confess and turn from them, they will receive mercy.

Confession is not saying " I admit it, I am a lost cause." It is coming into agreement that you missed the target of God's will and way for your life. Instead of going with him, you went away, and when you truthfully call out from where you are, wisdom and grace can come to you and direct you back to the light filled path better than any GPS.

No one wants to be lost, but some do not want to ask for directions. Jesus walked before us and is our example. There is more than one way to God, but only one way to God the Father where you will be called a son or daughter. Confess your sins so that you may be made whole.

Foolishness is refusing the way to wholeness. Jesus died for your sin. He is the foundation  of wisdom that leads to life.

Fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom and knowledge.
1 Cor 3:11 For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ. Refusing Jesus as the foundation disables us from having eternal satisfaction and wholeness. But, if you put your trust in him and fear the Lord, you can receive wisdom from the Holy Spirit. Lady wisdom in proverbs, says she sits on the hilltop  and shouts for any that would listen.

Proverbs 1:20-21 Wisdom shouts in the streets. She cries out in the public square.She calls to the crowds along the main street,to those gathered in front of the city gate:

Listen as Wisdom calls out!

Proverbs 8

Hear as understanding raises her voice!
On the hilltop along the road,
she takes her stand at the crossroads.
By the gates at the entrance to the town,
on the road leading in, she cries aloud,
“I call to you, to all of you!
I raise my voice to all people.
You simple people, use good judgment.
You foolish people, show some understanding.
Listen to me! For I have important things to tell you.
Everything I say is right,
for I speak the truth
and detest every kind of deception.
My advice is wholesome.
There is nothing devious or crooked in it.
My words are plain to anyone with understanding,
clear to those with knowledge.
Choose my instruction rather than silver,
and knowledge rather than pure gold.
For wisdom is far more valuable than rubies.
Nothing you desire can compare with it.
“I, Wisdom, live together with good judgment.
I know where to discover knowledge and discernment.
All who fear the Lord will hate evil.
Therefore, I hate pride and arrogance,
corruption and perverse speech.
Common sense and success belong to me.
Insight and strength are mine.
Because of me, kings reign,
and rulers make just decrees.
Rulers lead with my help,
and nobles make righteous judgments.
“I love all who love me.
Those who search will surely find me.
I have riches and honor,
as well as enduring wealth and justice.
My gifts are better than gold, even the purest gold,
my wages better than sterling silver!
I walk in righteousness,
in paths of justice.
Those who love me inherit wealth.
I will fill their treasuries.
“The Lord formed me from the beginning,
before he created anything else
I was appointed in ages past,
at the very first, before the earth began.
I was born before the oceans were created,
before the springs bubbled forth their waters.
Before the mountains were formed,
before the hills, I was born—
before he had made the earth and fields
and the first handfuls of soil.
I was there when he established the heavens,
when he drew the horizon on the oceans.
I was there when he set the clouds above,
when he established springs deep in the earth.
I was there when he set the limits of the seas,
so they would not spread beyond their boundaries.
And when he marked off the earth’s foundations,
I was the architect at his side.
I was his constant delight,
rejoicing always in his presence.
And how happy I was with the world he created;
How I rejoiced with the human family!
“And so, my children, listen to me,
for all who follow my ways are joyful.
Listen to my instruction and be wise.
Don’t ignore it.
Joyful are those who listen to me,
watching for me daily at my gates,
waiting for me outside my home!
For whoever finds me finds life
and receives favor from the Lord.
But those who miss me injure themselves.
All who hate me love death.”

She is not only on the hilltop, but at the entrance to the town, on the road leading in, and at the gates. It is prudent to seek wisdom before entering into agreement with others, or making a life decision. Wisdom does not hide in the shadows, but makes herself known and invites you to her house. She walks with righteousness and in paths of justice.

She is there before you go into the city and says Joyful are those that are watching for me daily. Seeking God through his word will show you what he delights in. After reading, it is wise to seal it with prayer to get that light stirred up. Darkness may come to reveal an area that needs to be dealt with or warning you of what you will be facing that day. There might be a scripture that speaks of the dangers of anger, but if you didn't read, you might find a test you didn't study for and blow up during the day.

Are you making decisions that are fair to others? Is the way you handle things considered "right living."  Wisdom says " how I rejoiced at the creation of the human family." Is your right living tearing down, or building up your family relationships? Wisdom will tell you, if you are humble enough to receive the answer. Worldly wisdom will show proof of the health benefits of abortion, or even divorce. God instituted parents to pas down his word to children, but worldly wisdom says parents should let their child decide what sex they are, and live life based on their feelings. The world cannot change the structure of what God instituted, but wisdom will direct you in his ways because it was there in the beginning of all things.

She doesn't hide herself . Seek her.