The Map!

I must confess that I haven’t used a map in quite a while. (I finally figured out how to fold it back like it was!) The map is designed to show me where streets are located and intersect with one another as well as showing other features of an area of land. I use a different sort of “map” now. It started with a GPS for my car and a little voice telling me to turn left on this street or that one. Now I have a handy little GPS on my phone. I don’t really have need for a map, unless I want to see the “big picture” and the GPS has one of those too.  I definitely need directions quite often. If I had a map, I would figure it out, but since some really smart people have built the “maps app”, I will defer to the technology.

Paul speaks forth a great discourse on salvation through Jesus to the Jews and the non-Jews. Before Jesus, the law was the only way to connect with God.  Now the “Upgrade” comes along and Paul teaches the importance of faith in Jesus. Check this out…

21 But now apart from the law the righteousness of God has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. 22 This righteousness is given through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference between Jew and Gentile, 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. 25 God presented Christ as a sacrifice of atonement through the shedding of his blood—to be received by faith. He did this to demonstrate his righteousness, because in his forbearance he had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished— 26 he did it to demonstrate his righteousness at the present time, so as to be just and the one who justifies those who have faith in Jesus. (Romans 3:21-26 NIV)

Jesus is the Map/GPS to connect me to God. He not only is The Map – He authored it as well. Before Jesus, the way to God was through the law and totally about behavior. Now the way to God starts by faith in Jesus. The law can’t save me, but Jesus can. I especially noticed that Paul says more than once: “apart from the law” that the righteousness of God is given through faith in Jesus.

Jesus called Himself, the Way, the Truth & the Life! He is the ONLY way that I can connect to God personally and intimately. I have my destination set to Heaven and Jesus is the GPS that gets me there!