Reflections from the way of the cross Part 3

Two Trails

“. . . the end of those things is death . . . the end is eternal life.” The Apostle Paul

There are multiple trails that lead out of Campus by the Sea. About the middle of the week family campers (who choose to) go off on a trail that leads to the tourist town of Avalon. The campers know that if they stay on the trail they will “end” up in Avalon. It is inevitable. There is another trail, a much short one (one I prefer), that ends up at the “way of the Cross.” This way too is inevitable. A camper will not go to the trail that leads to Avalon and expect to “end” up at the “way of the Cross.” One trail leads to one place and the other trail leads to another. This is what is expected. The Apostle Paul says that if one presents oneself “as slaves to impurity and to greater and greater iniquity” their “end” is death, but the one who presents oneself “as slaves to righteousness for sanctification” their “end” is life. This is their end result. The outcome of the life that is devoted to one way or the other will result in one of two things.

Paul concludes chapter 6 of Romans saying, “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in the Messiah Jesus our Lord” (verse 23). We choose one trail or another but this path of life is made possible by us being in the Messiah Jesus our Lord. We have died and have risen to new life (Romans 6) and we await the day of our own resurrection.

Thanks for reading

Marcelino