WHY NOT CHOOSE “THE BETTER PART?”

(Part Two)

Charles G. Maples, Sr.

 INTRO:  We need to keep in mind that what we have under consideration is GOD’S EVALUATION OF JUST WHAT IS “BETTER” FOR US. AND NOT WHAT MIGHT SEEM “BETTER,” TO US!  And we should always keep in mind that it is what is better for us IN ETERNITY that God is primarily concerned with!  In our previous issue we noted that it is “The Better Part” to Sit At Jesus Feet than to be “Cumbered with Serving.  That “Fear of The Lord” is “Better than Great Treasures.” That “Little With Righteousness” is “Better than Great Revenues.”  Now, let us consider a few other things that God has decreed to be “THE BETTER PART:”

THE COVENANT OF CHRIST IS “FAR BETTER” THAN THE “LAW OF MOSES!”  Note that in Hebrews 8:6 the Inspired writer tells us that we now serve under the “Better Covenant…established upon Better Promises…”

Further He tells us that “He took away the First (Law of Moses – cm), “that He might establish the Second (Law of Christ – cm).”

Now the above Scriptures, as well as others to which we could call attention, clearly establish that THE COVENANT OF  CHRIST IS “BETTER” than the “LAW OF MOSES,” but WHY is that so? – Especially since GOD GAVE BOTH OF THEM!?  LET US CONSIDER TWO THINGS, upon which we understand this to be true:

1 – God never intended the Law given through Moses to be HIS FINAL WILL AND COVENANT!  Consider Galatians 3:19ff: “What purpose then does the law serve? It was added because of transgressions, till the Seed should come, to whom the promise was made; … (note that in verse 16 we are told that “The Seed…is Christ.”)  Then, in verse twenty-four we are told that “…the Law was our (The Jews) tutor, to bring us to Christ, that we might be justified by faith.”   [We are told by the Inspired writer of Hebrews that “…He takes away the first, that He might establish the second.”  And in Colossians 2:14 (speaking of the Law of Moses) “…He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross.” ]

2 – Thus the Law of Moses; having served it’s God-given Purpose; came to an end at the Cross of Christ.  But then consider that under that Law there was NO FORGIVENESS OF SINS; in as much as Inspiration tells US that “It is not possible that the blood of bulls and goats (the sacrifices of the Law of Moses) could take away sins.”  But speaking of the New Covenant; the
Covenant of Christ; the Inspired apostle writes, “…in Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins.” (Ephesians 1:7)

     Surely we can see that THIS IS “THE BETTER WAY!”

  CONSIDER ALSO THE “NARROW WAY,” in contrast with THE “BROAD WAY” through this life!  As we live, day-by-day, the “Easiest” way would be to have no restrictions, no requirements; “just do as you please!”  Who would argue with that?  But that describes the “Way” that Jesus refers to as “BROAD WAY.” (Matthew 7:13)  And He assures us that at the end of that “Way” is “Destruction.”  (and He in Matthew 25:46 warns us that that “Destruction” is “Eternal Destruction,” which is described in Revelation 21:8 as “the lake that burns with fire and brimstone…!”)  In Matthew 25:41 Jesus tells us that that place is “…Prepared for the Devil and his angels!”

ON THE OTHER HAND JESUS INVITES US TO “Enter in at NARROW GATE…THE DIFFICULT WAY, THAT LEADS TO LIFE!” (Matt. 7:14)  Much, if not the most of the New Testament is made of  INSTRUCTIONS, made up of RESTRICTIONS and REQJUIREMENTS!  The “natural inclination” is to AVOID this way!  And in the same context of the texts above Jesus says “MANY,” do choose this way, in contrast with the “FEW” that choose to travel the “NARROW WAY,” that leads to eternal life!  When we come to the FINAL JUDGMENT (Hebrews 9:27; Revelation 20:12, etc.) who, do you suppose, will not look back and conclude that “THE NARROW WAY WAS THE BETTER WAY!?”

     Inasmuch as we do not know just when, or how unexpectedly we might “Face the Judge,” WHY NOT NOW CHOOSE THE NARROW WAY, for Surely it is the “BETTER WAY!”

 IN CONCLUSION, LET US CONSIDER THIS:  Since in this, as well as our former article, we have been referring to “THE BETTER PART,” it may be concluded that there might be ETERNAL SALVATI ” ON in more than ONE “WAY.”  However this is not true, and we see this in such Inspired statements as John 14:6, in which Jesus says, “I am THE WAY, the truth and the life…no man can come to the Father except through Me.”

However, IT IS STILL A MATTER OF “CHOICE,” for although Jesus invites “Whosoever will…” (Revelation 22:17), He leaves it up to us; each Individual; to “CHOOSE” to OBEY Him, and walk in the “Narrow Way,” or REJECT Him, and walk (live) in the “Broad Way!”  He “…became the Author of eternal salvation to all those who obey Him…” (Hebrews 5:8) It is “FAR BETTER” to OBEY HIS WILL; to “Walk in the Light (of his Word) and to have “Fellowship” with Him, that we might HAVE ETERNAL “FEL-LOWSHIP” WITH HIM IN ETERNITY!  Have YOU “Chosen the Better Part?