Enjoying The Journey

While marriage is a journey that is done together, all of us are personally accountable to God. Your spouse cannot answer for you, and you cannot answer for your spouse. In the end, we will all stand before God to give an account of ourselves (Romans 14:12). A Christian marriage must begin with two true Christians.

Life is a short trip to somewhere forever! How will you make the trip?

We live in a mobile society and it seems that everyone is in a hurry to get where they are going! Life itself is a journey and all of us are headed somewhere forever. An all-wise God has designed it so that those who follow His way can enjoy Heaven someday and also enjoy the journey today. The Bible, God’s Word to man, is the roadmap for time and eternity.

Begin by determining your destination.

Every journey begins by settling where you are going. Without direction, we all just wander aimlessly through life, searching for meaning and purpose. Thousands of years ago a prophet named Isaiah wrote,“All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.” Some things never change!

“For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God.” On our own we all go away from God. This is why Jesus Christ came: to take our sin and give us His salvation. Only He can return us to the path we were created to walk and bring us to God. Jesus said,“I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.”

Jesus Christ died for our sins, rose from the dead to offer us eternal life, and stands ready now to forgive our sins. But each of us must choose for ourselves if we will follow our way or His. When Jesus was on earth He said,“Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.”

There are only two destinations: eternity in Heaven with God or separated from God forever in Hell. All roads cannot lead to the same place. Our way leads us from God; Christ’s way leads us to God. If you continue on the path you are on now, where will you spend eternity? You must determine your destination.

Discover the companionship of Christ.

The journey is always better with a companion, someone with whom we share both the joys and trials of the trip. This is why Jesus Christ came to this earth. He traveled this same road for thirty-three years. The Son of God is not a person far away who,“cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.” He knows where you are and what you are facing!

Even more, He wants to make the journey with you right now. This personal relationship begins at the moment that you place your faith in Him and call on Him to be your Savior.“That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.”

When a person comes to know Christ, two things are made sure: they will live with Christ forever in Heaven, and Christ comes to live in their heart now! In one of the most famous psalms, Psalm 23, David explains it this way,“Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.”

To follow Christ is to have Him make the journey with you, never alone! In some of His last words to the first disciples He said,“...I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.” There will be difficulties along the way, but He will guard us and guide us at every step.

Know what to do at important intersections.

Intersections are turning points. At each of them there is a decision to be made. Life is full of decisions, but the most important ones are the ones that affect eternity. Today you are standing at one of those crossroads. You will either choose to follow Christ or to continue on your own way. Remember that a wrong turn doesn’t lead to the right place! The right turn is to repent and believe on Christ.

There are two paths and we all must decide which one we will take. Jesus said,“He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.” Will you believe on Christ today?

Call on Him now! “Dear God, be merciful to me a sinner. I know that you died for me and believe that you rose from the dead. Please forgive my sin and come into my life. I trust you now as my personal Savior. Thank you for giving me the free gift of eternal life. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”

This is the beginning of your journey with Jesus. He promises those who belong to Him,“I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.” We would love to hear from you and help you as you begin to walk with Christ.

- Your friend, Scott Pauley

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Was this Plan helpful? We adapted this Plan from Scott's new book, New Testament Marriage find the full-length book and thousands of free resources at our Bible study website HERE.