The Way

Before Christians were called Christians, they were called followers of "the Way" (Acts 9:2). (They were first called Christians in Antioch in Acts 11:26.)

Followers of the Way. Interesting concept. The truth is both "Christian" and "followers of the Way" end up being the same thing. Why? Well, as every believer knows, it was Jesus who said, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me." (John 14:6) So if Christ is the Way, we are both Christians and followers of the Way. It sounds ... harmless enough. As it turns out, it really seemed to upset people back then (In that Acts 9 verse, the followers of the Way were being arrested and imprisoned.) and still does today. Why?

I can think of two obvious reasons that the whole thing upsets people. The first and foremost is the concept of exclusivity. In our society the atmosphere is one of inclusion. "We will include anyone and everything ... except, of course, Christians. They're not welcome." So when Christianity (most religions, in fact, but no one seems to notice) comes along and says, "There is only one Way," we're in trouble. "Just one? Sounds arrogant." And I would admit that at first blush it does. But remember, it's not our claim. It's Christ's. We didn't conjure up this "secret club" that excludes others and claims the sole truth. Christ did. You may squirm a bit when you say, "Jesus is the only way" and people are outraged with you, but if you are a follower of Christ, you have no other option.

And, look, the fact is that it's not merely required as a follower of Christ; it's reasonable. What the rest of the world would like to tell you is "All roads lead to Rome." But if Jesus was right and He is the Way--that "No man comes to the Father but through Me"--then it only follows that other roads lead elsewhere. If it is not true that Jesus is the only Way, then Christianity itself is false and is not only not the only way, it is no way. Logic dictates it. So while we can sympathize with the apparent arrogance of the claim of exclusivity, if we are to remain true to Christ and logic, we have to stand by it.

The other difficulty for people is Jesus's other claim on the subject.

"Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few. (Matt 7:13-14)

I don't know about you, but to me that's a tough statement. Look at what our Savior is saying in terms of numbers. First, we get that He is the narrow gate. But in terms of numbers, "many" miss it and "few" find it. These are not happy terms. In a poll at the turn of the century something like 76% of Americans classified themselves as Christians. Now, as it turned out, only 15% of them went to church and only 5% said that it made any difference in their lives. That should serve as a warning flag, a red light, an alert klaxon. Jesus's terminology does not support the 76%, but does tend toward the 5%. And, frankly, that's disturbing. According to Jesus our churches are largely occupied by tares, not wheat (Matt 13:18-30). They bear a lot of resemblance to each other, but one is a weed to be stripped out and burned at the end. So not only are the unbelievers outside the doors; they're inside.

Well, now, that just won't do. You can't be questioning people's salvation. It's not done. They claim to be Christians and so they are. Don't assume otherwise. Except that when we examine fruit (Jesus's idea, not mine (Matt 7:16-20)) and we ask questions (the primary point of 1 John) and we look at things like whether people love the brethren (John 13:35), it gets really dicey. And if we are sitting in the midst of people who call themselves Christians but are, indeed, tares among wheat destined for the fires of Hell, is it kind and loving to say nothing?

Well, of course, this will never do. It is this whole exclusivity thing and its accompanying claim of not only being exclusive but narrow that upsets people. And yet, we are followers of Christ, the one who claimed to be the exclusive Way, the one who said the gate was narrow and the way was hard and few would find it. So, look, we have a very simple choice here. Will we ease up and ignore Christ, or will we grit our teeth and follow Him? You ought to decide now. It will make a difference in where you go from there.