Are You Walking on God's Highway or the World's Low Way?
In a world that screams "God is love" while living however it pleases, there's a forgotten truth that desperately needs to be proclaimed: God has called His people to holiness, not uncleanness.
We live in a culture that wants to put God on trial, as if He did something wrong. But Romans chapter 1 flips the script entirely – it puts mankind on trial and exposes us for what we really are. The evidence is overwhelming, and the verdict is clear.
The Divine Call That Changes Everything
First Thessalonians reminds us powerfully: "For God hath not called us unto uncleanness, but unto holiness" (1 Thessalonians 4:7). This isn't a suggestion or a nice idea for super-spiritual Christians. This is the fundamental calling on every believer's life.
Isaiah 35:8 paints a vivid picture of God's path for His people:
"And an highway shall be there, and a way, and it shall be called The way of holiness; the unclean shall not pass over it; but it shall be for those: the wayfaring men, though fools, shall not err therein."
Notice it's called a highway – an elevated path that rises above the traffic of sin in this world. It's not multiple ways or paths. There's ONE way, and Jesus Christ declared, "I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me" (John 14:6).
The Heart Problem No One Wants to Address
Here's where it gets uncomfortable. The problem isn't what we think it is. It's not about having dirty hands from working outside all day. It's not about external religious activities or how clean we appear to society.
Jesus exposed the real issue in Matthew 15:18-19: "But those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart; and they defile the man. For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies".
Your heart is the problem. Not your circumstances, not your upbringing, not society – your heart.
We live in a generation that casually texts "OMG" without a second thought, blasphemously using God's name irreverently. We've become so desensitized that we don't even recognize the blasphemy anymore. But God is still holy, and He still calls His name sacred.
When God Gives People Up
Romans 1:24 contains some of the most sobering words in Scripture: "Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts."
God is a perfect gentleman. He won't force you to live holy. He won't body-slam you into submission. If you want to ignore His voice and find counselors who agree with your predetermined decisions, He'll let you. But understand this: when you reject God's way, He gives you up to your own way.
Look at the progression in Romans 1:
Verse 24: "God also gave them up"
Verse 26: "For this cause God gave them up"
Verse 28: "God gave them over"
This isn't God being cruel. This is God honoring your free will while grieving over your choice. He's put up roadblocks, warning signs, and even sent His Son to die for you. But if you insist on going around every barrier He's placed, He'll eventually let you have what you think you want.
The Truth Exchange That Destroys
Romans 1:25 identifies the core transaction: "Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen".
Every time we prioritize anything above God – our reputation, our comfort, our desires, our relationships – we're exchanging His truth for a lie. We're worshipping the creation instead of the Creator.
This world system wants to:
Take all it can from you and your family
Pull you away from church fellowship
Convince you that holy living is outdated
Make you comfortable with compromise
Don't get cozy with a world that hates you and your God. Get close to your brothers and sisters in Christ who love you and encourage you in righteousness.
Your Decision Point
You can try to justify your sin all day long. You can find counselors who will agree with whatever position you've already decided to take. You can compare yourself to others and convince yourself you're "not that bad."
But here's the truth: You need cleansing. If you haven't been washed in the blood of the Lamb, you're still dirty. You're still filthy. You still need the cleansing of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Revelation 21:27 makes it crystal clear: Nothing that defiles, works abomination, or makes a lie will enter heaven – only those written in the Lamb's Book of Life.
Choose the Highway Today
We're pilgrims passing through this world, not permanent residents getting comfortable with its ways. We have a heavenly home, and we're headed there on God's highway of holiness.
The question remains: Are you on the highway or the low way? Are you trusting in Christ alone, or are you still trying to clean yourself up enough to be acceptable to God?
God's way of salvation is so plain and clear that you can't miss it. But you can choose to ignore it. You can choose to go around it. You can choose to find your own way.
Just remember: there's only one way that leads to life, and His name is Jesus.
📖 Go Deeper in God's Word 🎧
This blog post only scratches the surface of these powerful truths. To experience the full impact of this convicting message about holy living and God's call on your life, I encourage you to listen to the complete sermon. You'll discover more biblical insights through expository preaching and verse-by-verse Bible teaching that will challenge and transform your walk with Christ.
Listen to the full sermon here
Experience the power of expository preaching and verse-by-verse Bible teaching that brings God's Word to life in practical, transformational ways.