Jeremiah 17:5,7,9 NIV
[5] This is what the Lord says: “Cursed is the one who trusts in man, who draws strength from mere flesh and whose heart turns away from the Lord. [7] “But blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in him. [9] The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it?
The legendary Frank Sinatra his song “My Way” with pride and passion. The lyrics though honest from his point of view, couldn’t be farther from the Lyrics of truth in Gods Word.
“MY WAY” by Frank Sinatra
And now the end is near
And so I face the final curtain
My friend, I’ll say it
I’ll state my case of which I’m certainI’ve lived a life that’s full
I’ve traveled each and every highway
and more, much more than this
I did it my wayRegrets I’ve had a few
But then again too few to mention
I did what I had to do
And saw it through without exemptionI planned each chartered course
Each careful step along the by-way
And more, much more than this
I did it my wayYes, there were times
I’m sure you knew
When I bit off more than I could chew
But through it all when there was doubt
I ate it up and spit it out
I faced it allAnd I stood tall
And did it my way
I’ve loved, I’ve laughed, and cried
I’ve had my fill, my share of losingAnd now, as tears subside
I find it all so amusing
To think I did all that
And may I say, not in a shy way“Oh no, oh no, not me
I did it my way”
For what is a man, what has he got?
If not himself then he has naught
To say the things he truly feels
And not the words of one who kneels
The record shows I took the blows
And did it my way
Yes, it was my way
The passionate words from Sinatra’s mouth as he sang; “I DID IT MY WAY” were exactly the opposite of what Jesus says.
Mark 8:34-37 NLT
[34] Then, calling the crowd to join his disciples, he said, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross, and follow me. [35] If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake and for the sake of the Good News, you will save it. [36] And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul? [37] Is anything worth more than your soul?
Verse 34 literally says ” give up your own way”.
Pop culture will always enforce “follow your heart” or “do what you want to do” or “What do you feel you should do?” These saying all reinforce that whatever our inner self believes to be true, is our truth. The world tells us that there are many ways to God and eternity.
The Bible tells us the exact opposite! Take a look:
Proverbs 14:12 NLT
[12] There is a path before each person that seems right, but it ends in death.
John 14:6-7 NLT
[6] Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me. [7] If you had really known me, you would know who my Father is. From now on, you do know him and have seen him!”
Luke 12:19-21 NLT
[19] And I’ll sit back and say to myself, “My friend, you have enough stored away for years to come. Now take it easy! Eat, drink, and be merry!”‘ [20] “But God said to him, ‘You fool! You will die this very night. Then who will get everything you worked for?’ [21] “Yes, a person is a fool to store up earthly wealth but not have a rich relationship with God.”
Godly sorrow IS THE WAY OF THE CROSS!
Eternity is too long to be wrong!
From an Unworthy servant,
Chris Chloupek
Lead Evangelist