2 Corinthians 5:14-21

For the love of CHRIST controls us, having concluded this, that One died for all, therefore all died; and HE died for all, so that they who live might no longer live for themselves, but for HIM who died and rose again on their behalf. Therefore from now on we recognize no one according to the flesh; … Therefore if anyone is in CHRIST, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come.

Overall, humanity has been very consumed with finding the right path – the journey that leads to a blessed life. Try thinking about those paths today as the “old things” that pass away… the trails that are no longer necessary because of what JESUS has done for us. “Trailblazers” are often thought of as scouts that were sent ahead of a large group to find a good and safe path – someone who was willing to run ahead and make a new track for others to follow – or an innovator or visionary who paves the way for others.

These paths can become a distraction in our world. We can be so absorbed with the way or the pattern that we forget the destination! Let’s add another definition of “trailblazer” – someone who will destroy the trail in order to make the Destination of greater importance!! This is what JESUS did!! HE destroyed the trails!!!

Romans 5 has been our focus on Call To Freedom this week, and we like to think of this chapter as the “much more” chapter. JESUS is Much More than you think – HE has accomplished Much More than you imagine!!

The very place you are right now – just as you are, in relationship with GOD (because of what JESUS has accomplished) – this IS your purpose being lived out – whether you’re parenting, studying, working, rehabilitating, serving, or simply being.

JESUS gave us a beautiful example of just being – being still and knowing GOD. HE invited us to come to HIM because HIS yoke is easy and HIS burden is light. (Matthew 11:28-30) Sometimes trying to follow all the rules doesn’t feel light and easy! Rule-makers and rule-followers can get bent out of shape when they hear the only solution we need is to “come to JESUS”… that HE will give us rest for our souls. But JESUS even reassures those rule-followers – that HE did not come to do away with the law and the prophets (Matthew 5:17)

The Law and the Prophets are simply pathways that lead us to a Destination:

The Law is a path to help you find GOD – the prophets delivered messages to draw people to the LORD – JESUS was constantly being questioned by the Pharisees and Sadducees because HE didn’t appear to be adhering to the law and the prophets – but HE declares in Matthew 5:17 that HE came to FULFILL the law and the prophets. What does that mean? HE was showing us that the Destination of these two pathways is relationship – being in a yoke with HIM – waiting on the LORD.

JESUS is our Destination!

Your purpose in this life is not to remain focused on the paths that lead to the Destination you were made for. Your purpose is to arrive at the Destination – to live in an intimate relationship with the One you were made for! If you can keep that priority in everything you do, every encounter with others, every verse of scripture you read, you are fulfilling all the paths in this life by arriving at the Destination of Love!!