Acts 9:1-3 And Saul, yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest, I. The way is FOR LOST WANDERERS. The very expression suggests man's need of a way, i.e., of salvation. This need arises out of — 1. Men's ignorance, errors, sin, danger. Men are lost, and no created power or wisdom can recover them and make them safe. 2. Men's practical progressive nature put them in the right way, and then they need leading and keeping in it. A religion adapted to mankind must not only restore the wanderers, but further them on the right road. II. This Way is CHRIST. "I am the Way," "the new and living Way." 1. Every way leads from some place. Christ leads from the land of bondage darkness, death. He both makes and shows a way out of a state of sin and condemnation. 2. What is the Way? The Lord, who delivers and conducts His emancipated ones in the way of obedience and righteousness by His Spirit. The new way of life adopted by the first Christians impressed beholders, who hence gave them the title of the people of "the Way." 3. To what end? (1) To God. (2) To heaven. There is fulness of satisfaction in this provision and prospect. III. THE WAY IS WISELY PLANNED AND MADE. It is — 1. Clear and plain, not to be mistaken by those who are resolved to find it. 2. Straight and narrow. It is the one only way from which the traveller must not deviate. 3. Safe. Narrow, but not too narrow for him who will keep it. IV. The way is for ALL MEN. Then — 1. Discover it. It is not hard to find it: Be not misled. Take no other. 2. Walk in it. It is one of two. It leads to life, the other to destruction. It is in vain to praise it unless you make it yours. 3. Perseverance in it. Only such as continue in it can reach the goal. 4. Point it out to others. All true Christians live for this. (J. R. Thompson, M. A.) Parallel Verses KJV: And Saul, yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went unto the high priest, |
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