Good directions are so important when traveling.  They are not only important, but they are necessary to find locations.  Let us examine five points along this line.

THE DESIRE TO FOLLOW THE DIRECTIONS.  It is so important that we have a desire to follow the directions.  Without a desire, few will ever even seek out directions and when traveling, we must have this desire.  I Peter 1:17 contains this phrase, “pass the time of your sojourning here in fear:”.  Our life here upon the earth is likened unto a “sojourn.”  “Sojourn” literally means “to dwell in a strange land.”  The earth with all of its wickedness is not that to which we are to be conformed (I John 5:19, Romans 12:1-2).  This is our temporary dwelling place (James 4:14).  We should long to be with the Lord in Heaven, our true home (II Corinthians 5:6-10).  Ecclesiastes 12:5 speaks of our “long home” and that is in Heaven.  This is a place of no death, no sorrow, no crying and no pain (Revelation 21:4).  This is where all of the faithful will enjoy being in God’s Presence throughout all eternity (Matthew 8:11, II Thessalonians 1:10).  Now to go here, we have to desire to go here.  We must have the desire to go to Heaven (Philippians 1:23, Hebrews 11:16).  We must also have the desire to follow the directions to get there (I Peter 2:2).  

THE SOURCE OF THE DIRECTIONS.  When asking for directions to a certain location, it would not be advisable to ask someone who has never been to an area how to go there, when there are others around who have been there, who could tell us better.  Likewise, if we are to go to Heaven, we must inquire of the Source.  Our Source must be the One Who is there, our God.  In fact, when we look at the Life of Jesus and follow in His steps, we know that we, also, can ascend to be with the Father as He did (I Peter 2:21, Acts 1:1-9, Acts 2:33-34).  

THE DIRECTIONS, THEMSELVES.  The directions are clear in going to Heaven for our God is not the author of confusion (I Corinthians 14:33).  The directions are found in the Holy Scriptures (I Corinthians 13:8-10, II Peter 1:3, Jude 3, Galatians 1:8-9, II Timothy 3:15-17).  There are not many interpretations to Scripture, but rather as there is just One God, there is just one correct explanation for Scripture.  This is why we are called to be of one mind (Philippians 2:2).  We can all understand the Bible, united upon His Word (Ephesians 3:4, 4:3).  

THE RECEPTION OF THE DIRECTIONS.  Directions must be adhered to in order to produce the desired results.  Simply hearing, but not obeying Scripture will not get us to Heaven (James 1:22).  We must receive the Word of God into good and honest hearts (Hebrews 3:8).

THE RESULTS OF FOLLOWING THE DIRECTIONS.  We have a home in Heaven (Matthew 25:46).  We live in our mansion forever, for we have followed the straight and narrow pathway (John 14:2, Matthew 7:13-14).

My friends, let us allow God to direct us.  It is not in man to direct his steps (Jeremiah 10:23).  We must have the Guidance of the One Who Created life, our God.  I will close with II Thessalonians 3:5, “And the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God, and into the patient waiting for Christ.”

– Jason Gann