Highway of Holiness

I no longer listen to “Classic Rock” stations, but when I did you could bet that the AC/DC classic, Highway to Hell, was on the playlist. Released in 1979, it instantly became a hit and has been used in numerous movie soundtracks since.  It was rightly criticized for its glamorization of Hell as a desirable destination, with its most serious transgression being the song that serial killer Richard Ramirez, the infamous “Night Stalker” claimed compelled his murders.

Tragically, it could be a prophetic theme song for all too many residents of what Galatians 1:4 refers to as this present evil world or age. Proverbs 14:12 and Proverbs 16:25 reveal that there is a way or road that seems right to fallen mankind, but a way on which will only lead to death – the destruction of our soul in Hell at its end, wherein we are cut off from the glorious life with God for which man was created, forever.

In Matthew 7:13, Jesus speaking metaphorically, warns of such a road or way, which leads to this destruction.  It is a road which Jesus describes as broad, essentially with multiple lanes, and tells us that many are on.  It is a road we are told is entered onto through a wide gate, which is representative of mankind’s belief that there are multiple ways to right relationship with God; that all religions lead to Heaven, and that all that matters is that one is sincere in their beliefs.

This road or way is contrasted with another road or way, referred to in Matthew 7:14 as the narrow road or way, which leads to life, eternal life (Titus 1:1-2), in which there are few (relative to those on the broad road) who will go this way.  It is the way or road that is entered onto through the narrow gate, both of which Jesus reveals Himself alone to be (John 14:1-6) (John 10:7-9).

Of most concern to us who believe ourselves to be on that narrow road, should be what Jesus subsequently reveals In Matthew 7:21-23, wherein He proclaims that on that day (the day we stand before Jesus for judgement) many who believed that they were on the narrow road on the bases of their profession of Him as Lord and the good, even miraculous works they have done in His name – on His behalf – will hear from His lips, Depart from me you worker of iniquity (lawlessness), I never knew you (as one of mine) (John 17:24-26) (John 10:3-4) (John 10:27-29).

The horrific destination of that departure is later revealed in Matthew 25:41 as the everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels.  I thus cannot imagine a more sobering nor horrific statement to hear from the lips of Jesus on the day of our passing from this world. In itself, it should motivate us to passionately pursue holiness all of the days of our sojourn in this present evil world leading up to that day (Hebrews 9:27) (Acts 17:30-31).

Pursue, in its various definitions, can mean to go or run after something or someone, to travel along a certain path to a desired destination.

In pursuing holiness, we are essentially pursuing a person, Jesus Christ, the Holy One of God, (Luke 4:34).  It is both in our knowing and being known by Him and in our pursuit of conformity to His holy nature and character, that we arrive safely at the most desirable of destinations, the New Jerusalem, or the Celestial City as it is referred to in John Bunyan’s classic book, Pilgrams Progress (Revelation 21:1-5) (1 Corinthians 8:3). 

The road or path to this destination is referred to in the Old Testament as the Highway of Holiness (Isaiah 35:8-10), which only the redeemed whose sins are forgiven through the blood of Jesus Christ will travel, only those ransomed from slavery to that sin will walk on, only those who have been declared righteous in Christ will traverse (Ephesians 1:3-8) (Mark 10:45) (Philippians 3:7-11).  It is a road where only those with a new heart, with new affections and new desires and new longings that are centered on knowing and loving and being loved by God as He has revealed Himself in Jesus will be able to successfully navigate (Ezekiel 36:24-27) (Jeremiah 24:7) (Romans 5:8).  We will be able to do so despite the many trials and temptations one may meet on this road, which ultimately will never really harm or separate us from God, as God will be working them all together for our ultimate and eternal good, our conformity in the totality of our being to that of His Son – our Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, in whom we will finally and forever be Holy as He is Holy   (John 16:33) (Romans 8:35-39)(Romans 8:28-30) (1 John 3:1-3).

We will travel on this highway in the fear of the Lord (2 Corinthians 7:1), in awe and wonder and amazement and astonishment of His greatness and goodness and the glory of His grace, in admiration and adoration of His holiness – the infinite perfections of His being, many of which throughout our journey He will be forming in us (John 1:14) (Galatians 4:19-20).

On this highway we shall be enlightened and directed by the word of God, encouraged by the promises of God, guided and empowered by the Holy Spirit of God, motivated by our love for God, looking to and embracing both the word and the Spirit to transform and shape our thoughts, our affections, our will and actions in accordance with His (Psalm 119:105) (2 Peter 1:2-4)  (John 16:12-13) (2 Corinthians 5:14-15) (Romans 12:1-3).

On this highway we will find our security in the sovereignty of God, and our rest and refreshment in the Son of God who loved us and gave His life for us, promising to be with us even to the end of the age, only a prayer away.  (Isaiah 46:9-10) (Matthew 11:28-30) (Galatians 2:20) (Matthew 28:20) (Ephesians 6:18-20).

At highway’s end we will enter into the unmediated presence of God, where we will see our Lord in all of His glory and be conformed to that glory (John 17:24) (1 John 3:1-3). And as such we will finally love God as He deserves to be loved, trust God as He deserves to be trusted, obey God as He deserves to be obeyed, and worship God as He deserves to be worshiped, finding in Him fulness of joy and pleasures forevermore (Deuteronomy 6:4-5) (Psalm 16:11).

I pray you will worship and rejoice in Him now through the prayerful songs of Micah Stampley and Donnie McClurkin.

Grace and Peace ×