I Did It My Way


Denver L. Thomas


Some years ago there was a rather popular song sung by Frank Sinatra entitled, “I Did It My Way.” While there was no religious connotation within the song, it could serve as a reminder to us of how things are going in today’s religious community. Many people have departed from the standard (God’s Word) and gone about to devise many different practices in which to worship their god.

When we hear someone say, “Jesus, yes; church, no” we have reason to wonder why such a thought. How could that be? Surely, the person does not understand that it is not possible to separate Jesus from His church. The church is referred to as the body of Christ (Colossians 1:18). When Jesus built His church (Matthew 16:18), He was establishing a relationship that could not exist separate and apart from Him.

There have always been those who “did it my way” even from the beginning. Consider Cain who substituted grain for meat in his sacrifice to God (Genesis 4:3). Have you read about Nadab and Abihu and the choice they made (Leviticus 10:1)? Consider the Pharisees and Sadducees of Jesus’ day (Mark 7:9, et. al.).

Paul wrote to Timothy in 2 Timothy 3:16-17, “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.” Surely that is the standard that will suffice for all of man’s needs in this life and prepare him for the life to come. Those who elect to do it His way will find no need for synods, creed books, or any of numerous other man-made articles that have found their way into religious activities over the years.

There is an account given in Matthew 15:7-14 that may very well parallel much of today’s religious activities. Jesus said, “Ye hypocrites, well did Esaias prophesy of you, saying, This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me. But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men. And he called the multitude, and said unto them, Hear, and understand: Not that which goeth into the mouth defileth a man; but that which cometh out of the mouth, this defileth a man. Then came his disciples, and said unto him, Knowest thou that the Pharisees were offended, after they heard this saying? But he answered and said, Every plant, which my heavenly Father hath not planted, shall be rooted up. Let them alone: they be blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch.”

From this we can conclude that those who opt to do it their way will be rooted up on that great day. When we consider what Paul was saying in Ephesians 4:1-6, we can know that many will be rooted up. “I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called, With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love; Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; One Lord, one faith, one baptism, One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.”

So, why not do it His way and be prepared to hear Him say, "Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:" (Matthew 7:34)? His way is the only way to Heaven and to an eternal home of bliss with the Father of Spirits (Hebrews 12:9). The alternative is highly undesirable, to say the least! -PO Box 821, Milton, WV 25541.


Return to West Virginia Christian