Dual Roads to Darkness: Two Ways to Death and the Single Path to Life
There are many helpful tools out there that help people understand and share Christianity. For example, perhaps you remember the Evangelism Explosion, which was created in 1962. A wonderfully helpful contemporary example of such tools is called Two Ways to Live, which breaks down Christianity into five manageable buckets:
God the Good Ruler and Creator
Our Rebellion Against God
God's Justice
God Sent Jesus to Die for Us
Jesus, the Risen Ruler and Savior
Two Ways to Live culminates in presenting, well… two ways to live. There is the option to live "our way" by rejecting God as ruler, living our own way, damaged by sin and rebellion, and facing death and judgment. Then there is the invitation to live God's new way by submitting to Jesus as our ruler, relying on Jesus' death and resurrection, being forgiven by God, and receiving a new life that lasts forever. If you are looking for a helpful tool to help you understand the Bible and explain it to others, I recommend Two Ways to Live.
The Biblical Foundation for "Two Ways"
God's own Word often presents two different ways. In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus presents two gates, two trees, two paths, and two houses (Matt. 7:13-27). In Matthew 12:30, Jesus presents a dichotomy when he says, "Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters." There is a sharp contrast between the two ways, the righteous and the wicked, in Psalm 1. There are many other examples throughout Scripture of a "two ways" story.
Are "God's way" or "our way" truly the only choices before us each day? Technically, yes, but what do we mean by "our way"? What does it mean to turn from God and live for ourselves? Does presenting just two paths capture the depth of the Bible's message? Not entirely.
Consider Paul's argument in Romans. Before illustrating life with God, he vividly describes life without Him. The opening chapters are a powerful indictment of our hearts' rebellion. But how does this rebellion manifest? Seeing "man's way" as a single path can obscure more than it reveals.
Paul identifies two distinct ways humans resist God's authority. The first is obvious: blatant idolatry (Rom. 1:18-32). Living for oneself with pride. The second is more insidious: religious hypocrisy (Rom. 2:1-29). Living for oneself in a way that remains hidden. You can avoid God through immorality or performative morality. The first is straightforward; the second is deeply deceptive.
The Danger of Oversimplification
Why is it dangerous to simplify "our way" as outright rebellion? It risks leaving religious rebels at ease in their sin. Paul's Jewish audience likely agreed with Romans 1:18-32, cheering him on. But when he addressed them directly, the tone shifted. According to Paul, there are three ways to live: one is reconciled with God, and two that reject Him.
Even if Romans outlines three paths—one to embrace Christ, two to avoid Him—what about the dichotomies in the Sermon on the Mount? Jesus urges, "Enter by the narrow gate." The easy way leads to destruction. The narrow way leads to life (Matt. 7:13-14). He contrasts two trees and two houses, underscoring the lack of middle ground.
Could Jesus be clearer that there are only two ways to live? Shouldn't we teach accordingly?
Understanding Jesus' True Contrast
The Sermon's conclusion is likely a summary, pointing us back to the entire message for contrasts. Indeed, Jesus consistently contrasts two paths. But which two?
It's not simply God's way versus man's way; it's God's way versus the Pharisees' way. Jesus warns against practicing righteousness to be seen (Matt. 6:1). Whether giving, praying, or fasting, don't do it for show. And don't judge others in the process (7:1-4). In essence, the Sermon warns against rebellion masked as religion. The path of blatant immorality isn't the focus. Jesus contrasts moralism with the radical life of the kingdom.
The Common Root of Both Rebellions
It's a critical pastoral error to see legalism (earning God's love through law) and antinomianism (rejecting God's law) as opposites. They're nonidentical twins from the same origin. Both the lawbreaker and the legalist are caught in the "Edenic poison"—Satan's lie that God withholds good. Distrusting God, Adam and Eve took what wasn't theirs.
Both legalists and antinomians miss the joy of obedience, viewing it as a burden from a conditional God. The legalist bears the weight; the antinomian casts it off. Obedience isn't legalism. Obedience is beautiful; legalism is deadly. Legalism appears when obedience becomes a means to earn love, not a response to it.
The Gospel's Transformative Third Way
Both rebellious and religious paths are dead ends. But Jesus offers a more excellent way—one that transcends earthly extremes.
In the gospel, we obey because we are accepted by God because of what Jesus has done. Our motivation for obedience is based on grateful joy, not fear and insecurity. We obey God to get more of Him, to delight Him, and to resemble Him. Our identity and self-worth are based on Jesus, the One who died for His enemies, including us.
This salvation is a gift of grace, not something that can be earned; therefore, we cannot look down on others who believe differently.
"For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast." (Eph. 2:8-9)
