We’ve all seen this phrase on street signs and know that when they are set alongside a street, we can only go in the direction designated by it.  Violating it, at worst,  could cause an accident, at the very least, get you a ticket, or it might result in clogging up the flow of things and halting any progress for a time. This analogy is a familiar one, and it’s a powerful one when it comes to understanding our spiritual journey.

In other words, it just isn’t wise to try to violate such a clear communication. Doing so could lead to serious consequences, just as it would on the road.

This same idea applies to our spirituality and peace with God. There is not just one of many ways, but only one way to obtain them. This singular path is the one we must follow.

Think about this: when was the last time you were allowed to go into your town or city and put up a street sign that affected the flow of traffic?  Would you not get yourself into trouble if you went out and attempted to set up your signs for speed or direction along the roads where you live?

Why, then, do some think they can insert their own idea of what makes for peace and right standing with God and then seek to teach them to the church?  Only God, who has given us His word, is allowed to set the parameters for being right with Him and remaining right with Him. His authority is absolute, and we must submit to His will.  He has declared how we are to obtain peace and unity.

Ephesians 2:11 Therefore remember that you, once Gentiles in the flesh—who are called Uncircumcision by what is called the Circumcision made in the flesh by hands— 12 that at that time you were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. 13 But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.  14 For He Himself is our peace, who has made both one, and has broken down the middle wall of separation, 15 having abolished in His flesh the enmity, that is, the law of commandments contained in ordinances, so as to create in Himself one new man from the two, thus making peace, 16 and that He might reconcile them both to God in one body through the cross, thereby putting to death the enmity. 17 And He came and preached peace to you who were afar off and to those who were near. 18 For through Him we both have access by one Spirit to the Father.  19 Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God,

The early church had to rise above the idea that Gentile believers had to come under the law and, of sorts, become Jewish in order to hold on to their salvation. Many were mistaken in thinking that Christ died to make it possible to keep the law and finally maintain righteousness before God by being empowered to adhere to it. This is a mistaken idea regardless of how sincere and seemingly devoted it might seem.

Christ came to annul, take away, and remove the enmity - meaning reason for opposition, hostility, and hatred that the law created.  The law was separating the Jews from the rest of the world, not because it was evil, but because it was designed to reveal the fallenness of man, and, at that time, Only the Jews possessed it as their mantle of belonging to God as a special people.  When Jesus died on the cross, it put an end to the law for righteousness and made it possible for anyone, regardless of race, to draw near to God through faith in Jesus alone.  It became the One Way sign of God for all humanity without exception.  We are brought near now through the blood of Christ and by no other means.  Now, only being born again counts with Him. All other attempts at approaching are refused.  There is only One Way, and it is by grace through faith in Jesus.