July 5, 2025
In Acts 28:22, Paul is in Rome awaiting trial. When he first arrived, he gathered leading Jews from Rome to talk with them. They had heard about this new sect (the gospel of Jesus Christ), which they called “the way”. And they said to him that this sect (the way) is everywhere and always spoken against, and they wanted to learn more from Paul. Paul then told them the truth about “the way”. Some believed and some did not.
If you are a genuine Christian who believes that the gospel of Jesus Christ involves salvation from sin and not in sin, you are a member of this “way” that is everywhere spoken against. The vast majority of Christians widely reject this sect, “this way”. This is similar to the fact that the majority of Jews rejected Jesus Christ, their Messiah. Today, evangelical Christians reject the gospel of Jesus Christ if it involves salvation from habitual sinning. They are convinced that the gospel of Christ is salvation “from sin” and “in sin” at the same time. Evangelicals in mass adopt the gospel of salvation in the present commission of sin, but almost always reject the narrow way of holiness, which is salvation from sin, not in sin.
It is indeed hard to believe that we might live in a time when the vast majority of Christians would reject Christ if He returned in our lifetime, just like the Jews did 2,000 years ago. Few Christians will believe that it is even possible because they think they are pretty good Christians. They are better than most in their way of thinking. But try to convince them that they must repent of all their sins, and they might pick up stones to keep you silent. They will certainly reject your message, and in every way and everywhere, they will speak evil of the “way” of holiness. They scoff at it and mock those who preach it. They will call them legalists, Pelagians, works-based salvation heretics, perfectionists, and other derogatory names. These harsh words represent the stones that they will throw at such “Christians” who espouse “the way” of righteousness and holiness.
It is an interesting fact of religious history that the mighty moves of God in past times were often not within the organized Christian Church system, but outside of it. I am thinking of Wesley and Whitfield, who were denied most pulpits and had to preach in the fields, both in summer and winter. Religious but carnal ‘Christians’ are often the most active opposition to a move of God.
The evangelical church in the USA is not the light and salt it should be. Does anyone knowledgeable about American Christianity doubt that? I suggest you stay open to all those passionate and zealous Christians who seem to follow a “different way” than what you’ve experienced so far in your Christian journey. I’m talking about those who preach holiness, not the fringe groups focused on prosperity, signs and wonders, and the word of faith.
History reveals that God’s “way” is most often rejected by His people along with the rest of the world. His way is the pathway of obedience and faith, not just faith. And it is everywhere spoken against by those claiming to be sons and daughters of the Father.
