In several references in the Book of Acts, Christianity is simply called “the Way” (Compare Acts 9:2; 19:9, 23; 22:4; 24:14, 22).
It is a fact that those who heard the gospel, who repented, who were baptized and who received God’s Holy Spirit became very different people. They changed their patterns of living by turning whole-heartedly to God. In doing this, they stood out from others–from the religious Jews and from the pagan peoples of the Roman Empire.
It isn’t really so different in our day! If we truly live as Christians, our way of living will not be in harmony with those who are unconverted. Peter addresses this: “For we have spent enough of our past lifetime in doing the will of the Gentiles [or, the world]–when we walked in lewdness, lusts, drunkenness, revelries, drinking parties, and abominable idolatries. In regard to these, they think it strange that you do not run with them in the same flood of dissipation, speaking evil of you” (1 Peter 4:3-4).
Jesus explains that His followers are lights in a world of darkness. He teaches that each should “‘Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven'” (Matthew 5:16). That “light” is the fruit of God’s Holy Spirit in each of our lives (Compare Galatians 5:22-23). The difference is made even more profound for us in living “the Way”– as we are instructed: “Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 2:5).
Thinking as Jesus thought means ALWAYS seeking to do the will of our Father (Compare John 5:19; 5:30; 6:38; 8:28-29; 12:49-50; 14:10). In Hebrews, the incomparable mission for Jesus Christ when He came into the world is summarized: “‘Then I said, “Behold, I have come–In the volume of the book it is written of Me–To do Your will, O God”‘” (Hebrews 10:7).
Only the precious few have ever fully and unconditionally committed themselves to God and to “the Way” of His Son. Those who have–and those who do–have this remarkable promise indelibly recorded in the Word of God: “‘Those who are wise shall shine Like the brightness of the firmament, And those who turn many to righteousness Like the stars forever and ever”‘ (Daniel 12:3).
