Jesus saith unto him, …no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. —John 14:6

It appears the last milestone had part of its information chiseled out. Fortunately, the next marker was not vandalized. The third milestone said, “the wages of sin is death.” While the information that sign gave is accurate (and got us to the next milestone), by itself it was incomplete. What further direction should have been given?

Milestone Four – Romans 6:23b
“But the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.”

The fourth milestone announces a Provision: Gift.

What is this gift from God? Without exception, all people enjoy several of God’s gifts. Let’s try to briefly summarize what could be a lengthy list.
Everyone receives God’s gift of the earth—all that it contains and all that surrounds it. Everyone receives God’s gift of time. Minutes, days, and years become the span of a lifetime. Everyone receives God’s gift of human love. Wouldn’t you agree: It would be mighty lonely without family, friends, and even enemies?

We didn’t deserve these general gifts of God. We certainly didn’t earn them. Whether we admit it or not, we are regular recipients of God’s general gifts.
How is this gift from God, mentioned in Romans 6:23, more special than every other gift He has already given?

This gift is endless. This gift of God exists outside the scope of space. This gift of God continues beyond the boundary of time. If I asked you, “who lived longer, Adam or Methuselah?,” you might respond “that is a trick question.” It is true, Methuselah lived physically longer than any other human and Adam was the first man. Yet both continue to live beyond what we can see. The universe, as we know it, will one day cease to be. But this gift has no “planned obsolescence.” This special gift from God is “eternal.”

This gift is lavish. We may not like to think about the value of a gift that is given to us. We say, “it’s the thought that counts.” Let’s make an exception to this one gift from God. His gift is not cheap. Judas objected to the wasteful use of an ointment valued at a year’s wages. That would be a lot of money. God’s gift is worth far more. Its cost exceeds more than we can even imagine. Are you curious? Do you want to know what this gift cost God? He tells us the price but doesn’t add an explanation. How much did God “pay” for this gift? “Jesus Christ.”

What gift could be so valuable that God would exchange “Jesus Christ” for it and then give it to us? What is this special gift from God? It is “life.” The “gift” given by God is “eternal life.” This is the best gift ever! Freely given. With His great love. The gift of Himself, that cost Him—everything. The gift that rescues us from our doomed destiny and results in our peace on earth and our joy in heaven.

I hope it is a long walk to the next milestone. I’ve got to think this through. Aren’t you more than a little surprised by our Creator’s overwhelming generosity? Let’s walk slowly.

Jesus saith unto him, …no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
—John 14:6

We made our way in record time. But the directions on this milestone are no better, it appears to be even worse. We didn’t make a wrong turn, did we? The first milestone pointed to a principle. We are not our own but indebted to our Creator. The second milestone revealed a problem. Without exception everyone, all of humanity, desires and choses to act contrary to our Creator’s will. The Bible calls this “sin.” The time to trust our guide is when we are unsure, otherwise we could wander from the path and possibly never find the right way again. What does this milestone say?

Milestone Three – Romans 6:23a
“For the wages of sin is death…”

The third milestone points to a fatal Penalty: Death. What is death? Death is the result of sin. Death is a consequence of possessing a sin nature and having actually disobeyed God. Death is physical. Physical death is a separation of the soul from the body resulting in the termination of physical life. Death is also spiritual. Spiritual death does not mean an end of existence. The soul, our spirit, lives forever. Spiritual death is far worse than physical death. Spiritual death is a separation of the soul from God and His presence. It is an eternal consequence of sin.

In physical life everyone enjoys a measure of God’s presence. For example, He sends rain without discrimination. Do you acknowledge Jesus Christ as God? He sends rain on your crops to sustain physical life. Are you unsure who really is the Creator of all that exists? He doesn’t wait for you to figure it all out, He waters your crops, too. Maybe you are one who denies the reality of any deity. Whether you believe He is there or not, you also receive rain and therefore are a recipient of His presence. But, after this life, spiritual death will result in being separated from even the measure of God’s presence that everyone currently benefits from—forever. That’s harsh! Despite this danger…,

Some demand answers, “Why am I responsible?” Others try to use persuasive arguments in hopes of changing God’s mind. “I didn’t ask to be born.” “It’s not my fault that someone else disobeyed God first.” “God is not being fair!” “Everyone should stand or fall on their own merit.”

Romans 6:23, teaches us about the consequences of sin. Because God is himself perfect, he demands absolute perfection from His creation. The Bible talks about God’s perfection as “righteous,” “just,” and “holy.” When His will is disobeyed, God acts justly (in a fair way) toward every offender. Many people refuse to accept the truth that “I deserve (physical and spiritual) death because of my sin.” The punishment that we have earned for our sins is death. Not only physical death, but eternal death as well!

Those on the only road to God know because of their offenses against the Creator they are already as good as dead and unable to do anything about their condition or their destination.

We are “the walking dead” and it is a long, uphill hike to the next milestone.

Read Milestones, part 4

Jesus saith unto him, …no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. —John 14:6

These milestones are very helpful in guiding our walk on the right road and keep us headed to our final destination. A wrong turn here would be disastrous.

Milestone Two – Romans 3:10-11, 23
“As it has been written, ‘There is none righteous, no not one! There is none that understands, there is not one that seeks after God.’ … For all have sinned, and come short of the glory [what pleases or makes God happy] of God.”

The second milestone exposes a serious Problem: Sin. What is sin? Sin is any action against, or failure to act in accordance with, the will of God. Sin is our very nature. Sin is a state (or condition). We could say, “sin is me being my own boss.” Sins are “the results of me being my own boss.” Do these verses mean that everyone is a sinner?

Yes, everyone is a sinner, in three ways. God has declared the whole human race to be in a state of complete absence of righteousness, without merit, and utterly condemned. No one is exempt. Why? Because every human being has inherited a sin nature from our forefather, Adam. This sin nature is received and passed to each succeeding generation. People do not become sinners by sinning, but we sin because we are born sinners.

To make matters worse, being born under the power of sin’s control, we have each personally sinned against God. It is a vicious cycle that we have no ability to put to an end. Our actions, our thoughts, our attitudes, our words reveal that we all still choose to do things contrary to God’s will. Our wrong actions are displeasing to God, because God is holy. Romans 3:10-18 gives a detailed picture of what sin against God looks like in us. Our natural desire is to always choose to rebel against God, our owner. However,…

Most people think they are “not so bad,” at least, “not as bad as others.” It is true that in comparison one person may not act as wickedly as another. Appearances are deceptive because the standard of measure is not what God has established. Anyone that believes they can and will become “better” by their own will doesn’t fully understand how completely this problem of sin permeates each one of us to the very core of our being.

Those on the only road to spiritual life understand Jesus Christ has a “zero tolerance policy” when it comes to sin. He will tolerate no mis-deed, no offense, no rebellion. He knows that by nature his creatures (that is us) choose to live in opposition to him, whether it be what our society might call a “minor” infraction or something more heinous. This is not an easy milestone to pass. No one likes to be accused of doing wrong or being in the wrong. Sin is a hopeless condition to be in. We have no way out and must admit to ourselves and God “I am a sinner.”

Let’s hurry to the next milestone. Anything has to be better than this.…Milestones, part 3

When the Roman Empire controlled the known world, they built extensively. One of their ingenious contributions was a network of roads throughout the empire which made traveling accessible and relatively safe. Some of the ancient paved roads still exist today. In that region of the world, many modern roads follow alongside the old roads because the Romans had usually chosen the most logical geographical route.

Roman “milestones” (markers placed along the roads) identified the distance measured from the “golden milestone” in the Imperial Forum at Rome. The milestones also indicated where you were, like a “you are here” sign on a map. The milestones also noted how far it was to the next location. The milestones were signs along the way in a journey to help you get from one place to another and let you know you were still on the right road.

We can speak of Roman roads and milestones symbolically for getting from one place (spiritual death) to another (spiritual life). The old maxim, “All roads lead to Rome” is quaint and may have been true at one time But according to God’s written Word to man there is only one road or way to be in such a relationship with God so as to obtain spiritual life.

In this metaphor, the milestones give accurate directions. The milestones identify whether a person is on the right road. The milestones give details on why we need spiritual life or salvation, how God provided salvation, how we receive salvation, and what are the continuing results of salvation. The “milestones” used here are quoted from the letter Paul wrote to the church at Rome.

Milestone One — Romans 1:20-21
“For the unseen things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made — both his eternal power and Godhead, in order for them to be without excuse. Because when they knew God, they did not glorify him as God, neither were they thankful. But they became worthless in their thoughts, and their foolish heart was darkened.”

The first milestone states an important Principle: Ownership. What gives Jesus Christ the authority to tell us what to do? As creator, God has the right to do with his creation as he will and to demand how his creation will respond. He has told us where our journey to eternal life begins and the route all along the way. Yet,…

Most people don’t like to be told what to do. They definitely don’t want to ask for directions. They live as if they are in control, saying things like, “I am the master of my fate, I am the captain of my soul.” They would rather ignore the milestone markers, walk in circles, or try a shortcut instead of walking the one road God has designated that leads to spiritual life.

Those on the only road to spiritual life recognize Jesus Christ is man’s creator, owner, and authority and he is also the road. Go on now, swallow your pride and ask him for directions. He won’t mislead you.

Look, the next milestone is just ahead…Read Milestones, part 2.

I’m not talking about the 1965 American rock band from Los Angeles that took their name from Aldous Huxley’s book The Doors of Perception. While I do want to quote a song, it is not from one of their recordings.

Warner Sallman’s famous painting titled Christ at Heart’s Door presents his interpretation of Revelation 3:20 where Jesus says, “Behold, I stand at the door and knock….” While I do want to explore the imagery of a door, it is not the door of Sallman’s painting or that particular verse.

Do you remember the children’s song One Door and Only One? The words of the song are these:

“One door and only one,
And yet its sides are two,
“Inside” and “Outside,”
On which side are you?”

While the imagery between the song and Jesus’ proclamation to be the Door is different, the intended message is similar. The song emphasizes the necessity of entering into salvation the only way possible, through the Door, who is Jesus Christ.

In John 10:1-10, Jesus taught that He is the exclusive Door. Without Him there is no other door. But the disciples didn’t understand His parable (John 10:6) until later (John 12:16). Do we understand?

These verses speak generally of shepherding and sheep in the first century. Shepherds entered and exited the cave-like fold by the same opening as the sheep (John 10:2) but thieves attempted to gain access through another way (John 10:1). Shepherds acted as both the doorkeeper and guardian. As the doorkeeper only his sheep were given access or egress (John 10:3). As the guardian, the shepherd would protect his flock against predators intent on their harm or destruction (John 10:10). When the shepherd called his sheep by name, they would come (John 10:3). Whether he put his sheep in or out of the fold, he led them, going before them (John 10:3-4).

Jesus makes it plain that the door is not religious individuals nor human priests who devise their own plan for entering the sheep-fold (John 10:1). Jesus is declaring that He is the Door of the sheep, the one door for all of His sheep (John 10:7). Jesus says that only by entering the fold or exiting to the field through Him, the Door, is anyone saved (John 10:9). There is no other possible alternative or acceptable way, for there is no other name, under heaven, given among men, whereby we must be saved (Acts 4:12), for through Him we have access by one Spirit to the Father (Ephesians 2:18). Entrance through the Door is only possible because Jesus entered first (John 10:2). Without the Shepherd as their Door, sheep are doomed because they are helpless. Without the Shepherd as their Door, sheep are defenseless because they cannot protect themselves.

After Jesus Christ’s resurrection, the disciples caught on to what Jesus meant in this parable. Do we understand that the Good News of Jesus Christ is really bad news for those who refuse to enter through the Door? It conflicts in every way with their values about the inclusiveness that all religions ultimately lead in the right way. Whether the entire world, our communities, our neighbors, and even our families like it or not, this is the message we proclaim. Do you say, “The Lord is my Shepherd”? Then what you mean by what you say is this, “Jesus Christ is the one Door and the only Door of salvation for His sheep.”