Daily Reading: Acts 18-20
Acts 19:9
But when divers were hardened, and believed not, but spake evil of that way before the multitude, he departed from them, and separated the disciples, disputing daily in the school of one Tyrannus.
In today’s verse notice the two little words: that way. Three times this phrase is used to describe the walk, or manner of life, of a believer in Jesus Christ. They are characterized as being people of that way (Acts 19:9, 19:23, 24:22).
John the Baptist introduced us to that way when he testified …He said, I am the voice of one crying in the wilderness, Make straight the way of the Lord, as said the prophet Esaias (John 1:23). He pointed us to that way by pointing us to Jesus Christ. After all, it was the Lord Jesus who stated clearly in John 14:6: …I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father but by me.
Summed up, that way is the way: the Lord Jesus. He is the narrow gate that leads to eternal life, He is the leader of His people through the power of the Holy Spirit which is His Spirit, He is the go-ahead, go-between, and the go-getter. He is The Way. Those who follow Him are people of that way.
They are identifiable by certain traits; the greatest being that they submit themselves to the new commandment the Lord gave in John 13:34-35; A new commandment I give unto you, that ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another. The apostle has much to write about this love of one another, just read His books, you will be amazed at the significance of this love.
Consider one often overlooked truth about being in that way. 1 John 3:14 We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not his brother abideth in death. An evidence of passing from death to life is loving the brethren. When a person loves the brethren, no one has to make them attend their church, for that is where the people they love are gathering. No one has to tell them to do good to other believers for every person does good to those they love. Love is a protective coating covering every relationship among the brethren. Chip away the love and the relationship is open for a wounding, an injury. This is a favorite ploy of the enemy of God, to chip away the love one for another.
Back to that way, stay in the way, walk in the way, and live in the way, which is the Lord Jesus Christ.
Until tomorrow, live for Christ today.