Two Ways to LiveSample

The Way of the Godly

The very first Psalm describes two ways of living in this world: the way of the godly and the way of the wicked. The way of the godly is called blessed - a state of supreme contentment. The only way to be fulfilled in life is to avoid the way of the wicked. Satan promises happiness in the dark alleyways of sin, yet his enticements are deceptive and destructive. Thus, the Christian avoids the counsel or advice of the ungodly for it is worldly thinking that is at enmity with God. The Christian shuns the paths of sin and detests the company of those who mock God and righteousness. 

The Christian has no part in the sinful world for he is called to walk the way of holiness (Isaiah 35:8). This is why our Lord Jesus said wide and easy is the road of the wicked that leads to destruction. Narrow is the path of the righteous for it is fraught with hardships and denials (Matthew 7:13-14). Yet this hard and narrow road is the path of achieving any lasting happiness in this world. Every other path is a fool’s pursuit for it is a dead-end leading nowhere. This is the paradox of the Christian faith that in denying oneself of the ways of this fading world, one finds the path to unfading heaven. 

The children of Israel had to leave Egypt and walk through the wilderness before they could inherit the Promised Land. They had to forsake the ways of Egypt for only then could their hearts find true satisfaction in their God who redeemed them. Likewise, for the Christian on the pilgrim journey to the celestial city of heaven, we will find contentment in our relationship with God only when we let go of our attachments to the ways of the ungodly. In this world, the pursuit of happiness is often the supreme aim of men and women. Unfortunately, those who pursue happiness quickly discover it to be a fleeting mist. However, those who walk in the path of holiness towards eternal blessedness find happiness on the pilgrim’s way.