What is it like to lose everything, have no support, and live every day like it could be your last. The number of homeless people does not really show all the heartache and pain that those who are victims of circumstances that caused them to lose their homes. Most people do not realize that some of the homeless have great degrees but cannot use them because they do not have an address outside of a shelter. Yes there are transient homes but most do not give enough time to establish full residency in order to get work.
Here is another piece, Missions and shelters commonly are only open once the night temperature reaches 40 degrees Fahrenheit and when they do open those fortunate enough to get in have no good secure place to store their belongings which get stolen.
Why do we allow this? How long will we let this go on? Yes there are some who become completely lost with "no hope" for recovery. Yes there are some who are on the verge of death. There are many who desire a second chance at life but are refused because they are out on the streets.
IS NOT OUR GOD A GOD OF SECOND CHANCES???????
Who are we to decide who does not get it?
Is there a reason we cannot be better stewards of our human brothers and sisters as we are called to be????
When people call for funds to assist the homeless, most of it gets pocketed by the needs of those who are in charge. There are people on boards of these "shelters" who are public figures of high renown with more money than they know what to do with. We are not that type of people. What we propose is a place that can handle a number of those who desire to get that second chance and will use it right. What we propose is giving the individuals a 9-12 month residence where they will be able to get assistance in budgeting, health and welfare, finding tech schools, resume assistance, OJT, and job search assistance. Some may even end up working with us.
We need your help in making this possible. It is for ALL homeless, and those who desire a second chance at life. We are not rich and cannot do this on our own so we need your help. If you would like to give assistance or know someone who will stand up and give to missions go to https://fundly.com/helping-homeless-veterans-8. This is not just for veterans but all people. Let's be the people God wants us to be. Helping others before ourselves.

The Father pleas with the Eldest Son and exclaims:
31 ‘Son, you are always with me,’ said the father, ‘and everything I have is yours. 32 We had to celebrate and rejoice, because this brother of yours was dead but has come back to life — he was lost but has been found.’” Luke 15:31-32
The steadfast and loyal son had his faith shaken because there has never been a celebration like this for him. But the father, full of grace, mercy, love, and full compassion helps him understand why the celebration is taking place. Jesus is now showing the attributes of God to both the lost and the believer. 
So the father in this story is God. You see,  this father waited patiently for his son to return.  In the same manner the father reacted, God waits for the repentant sinner. He has compassion for the one who comes on his own accord. The father had apparently heard about the state of affairs the son found himself in and waited expectantly for the son to return. This is revealing that God knows our hearts and grants us the opportunity to return to Him. The great celebration shows how God is a forgiving, compassionate God who will shower His love on us and restores to our place in the Father’s arms.
What a joy it will be but let’s look at the parable again for a second. When the father saw the boy from a distance, he lunged towards him not in a scornful manner, but loving.  The father did not even let his son finish the practiced confession but unconditionally lavished mercy and grace upon him returning him to status of fellowship within the family. The father running to his son, greeting him with a kiss and ordering the celebration to begin is a picture of how our Heavenly Father feels towards sinners who repent.
God greatly loves us, patiently waits for us to repent so he can show us His great mercy, because he does not want any to perish nor escape as though by the fire. It is our understanding of God’s compassion for us that enables us to show concern for the lost and celebrate when they are found so He prepared a mediator for us. Just as the father is the mediator between the sons Jesus is the mediator who ultimately took our place to change our fate of being lost in the darkness without God.
Jesus in this parable tells us that we are forgiven but must take the first step by realizing and confessing our sins to the Father. He also says that God is waiting patiently for us to do just that.  He is merciful and wants us to come home.  We as Christians seek out others to bring home but I tell you this, “No one comes to the father but through Jesus Christ”.  We are His vessels and our work is His.  Those who seek forgiveness come to Father on their own accord but sometimes a seed must be planted.  We are the sower of that seed as we are commissioned by Jesus to spread His Word.   
 

The picture of the father receiving the son back into relationship is a picture of how we should respond to repentant sinners as well:  
So watch yourselves. “If your brother or sister sins against you, rebuke them; and if they repent, forgive them. Luke 17:3;
 
Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently. But watch yourselves, or you also may be tempted. Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. Galatians 6:1-2;
 
My brothers and sisters, if one of you should wander from the truth and someone should bring that person back, remember this: Whoever turns a sinner from the error of their way will save them from death and cover over a multitude of sins. James 5:19-20.
 
What is the core message of the Parable of the Prodigal Son that we have spent the last three Saturdays trying to get to? It boils down to this: It is only by God’s grace that we are saved, not by works that we may boast of some goodness that we perceive to be our own.

Jesus commanded His Disciples to “Go make Disciples of all men, Baptizing in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
Concerning baptism, you should baptize this way: After first explaining all things, baptize in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, in flowing water. But if you have no running water, baptize in other water; and if you cannot do so in cold water, then in warm. If you have very little, pour water three times on the head in the name of Father and Son and Holy Spirit. Before the baptism, both the baptizer and the candidate for baptism, plus any others who can, should fast. The candidate should fast for one or two days beforehand.
This is the process in which Baptism should occur. Baptism is the outward expression of the inward acceptance of the covenant made through the blood, death, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus. John the Baptist made people clean through a repentant baptism in preparation for the coming Messiah by washing the sins away in the flowing water of the Jordan. For he said, “Repent and be baptized”.    
The best way to baptize is in water that flows. This is done so to symbolize a removal of the sins. Nowadays we have a Baptismal that water is poured into and is still. It is good but a flowing one would be better. Why cold water? the temperature of the water is important because if you are baptized in cold water the pours stay closed so that no new sin can enter in. But it is ok for warm water due to the temperature of the surrounding area and how quickly the pours would close.  Full immersion is preferred but a pouring is acceptable. Even before going into the water one should not eat or drink for one to two days. Why? Because you must enter the covenant humbly, with the understanding that the earthly foods only fill the body while the spirit needs the bread of life. By fasting, the body becomes dependent on God’s Word so it is a full acceptance of Jesus through the trust that His Word is sufficient for life.
Notice two things that did not have an alternative mode here. First the person must understand and accept the Word and the sacrifice that Jesus made finishing the need for the blood sacrifices for our salvation. Secondly, the fasting. The only thing about the fasting is the time limit. A child can fast for one and be good but an adult, two days.
The waiting for Resurrection Day to be baptized did not start until late first century to early second century. Instead it was basically an on the spot acceptance and washing bringing more and more into the Body of Christ. This was both right and proper going along with the Great Commission.
Perry Stone wrote on the first century Byzantine Church. In his explanation of things the men and women were baptized separately because they went into the water in the nude. This was the process: After the fasting was complete, the candidates lined up dressed in white robes and entered into a cavern inside a hill. At the lowest point there was a pool of cold flowing water. Upon entering the water, the outer garment was removed and the appointed priest, deacon, or elder, asked for confirmation of beliefs then the person was immersed in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Upon exiting the water they were given their white garment and a glass of milk mixed with honey to cleanse the inner self. When all Baptisms were complete, the whole Community of Believers shared in Communion then a celebration meal. Now that is a blessed time.     
 Baptism has sure changed since then as it is a full community observance. Certain denominations do things a little backwards by baptizing before the candidate even realizes what is going on, then later has to go through classes to explain everything and then accept the covenant. The Great Commission that Jesus spoke before He ascended said to make Disciples of all mankind baptizing and maintaining obedience to the Word. To make Disciples one must first explain everything to which they outwardly show their acceptance through baptism then they are followed up with constantly through the speaking of the Word. That is the process of Baptism.
Have you been immersed in the waters of Baptism? I personally was Baptized as a baby through the Lutheran Church, went through the Catechism, and had my first Communion by the time I was 8. But I did not truly know Jesus. I was chosen to give a sermon when I was 9 on a children’s Sunday, but I still did not know Jesus. I went through 25 1/2 years thinking I was good to go until I truly discovered what Jesus was doing in my life. When I truly became aware of Jesus, I gave a public confession and was Baptized by immersion. I was 26 when I truly gave my life to God. When did you?

Jesus was about to expose the hearts of the Sanhedrin and others who cared more about their own spiritual well-being rather than others. Let us continue from where we left off from part one: After the younger son went inside with his father, the older son was coming in from his duties in the field.
The Hard Hearted Cannot Forgive
25 “Now his older son was in the field. As he came close to the house, he heard music and dancing. 26 So he called one of the servants and asked, ‘What’s going on?’ 27 The servant told him, ‘Your brother has come back, and your father has slaughtered the calf that was fattened up, because he has gotten him back safe and sound.’ 28 But the older son became angry and refused to go inside.
The brother who went off and tried life has come home which makes the father very happy. I am guessing it had been quite a while so the elder more obedient son was fully set in his ways and had taken on some of the younger son’s tasks. I would probably be happy to see him return so he can resume his duties but that is not the point here. The elder son is disappointed because there was never a celebration in his honor. But why would there be. He has done exactly as he should have, or so he thinks. His refusal to accept and be happy that the younger is similar to the distaste certain faithful people have when a person who was a known sinner returns in repentance. It is hard to accept someone back when your heart is hard and does not truly remember or understand God’s Love, Compassion, and Forgiveness.  
“So his father came out and pleaded with him. 29 ‘Look,’ the son answered, ‘I have worked for you all these years, and I have never disobeyed your orders. But you have never even given me a young goat, so that I could celebrate with my friends. 30 Yet this son of yours comes, who squandered your property with prostitutes, and for him you slaughter the fattened calf!’ 31 ‘Son, you are always with me,’ said the father, ‘and everything I have is yours. 32 We had to celebrate and rejoice, because this brother of yours was dead but has come back to life — he was lost but has been found.’”
So, is the “obedient son” really obedient? He is the faithful son or so we are led to believe at first.  This man stayed by his father’s side all those years working for the father in preparation for the day when he would receive the blessings that are rightly his. The eldest son represents the self-righteous who hear but do not really understand
Anyone who claims to be in this light while hating his brother is still in the dark. The person who keeps loving his brother remains in the light, and there is nothing in him that could make him trip. But the person who hates his brother is in the dark — yes, he is walking in the dark, and he doesn’t know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded his eyes.  1 John 2:9-11
Forgiven?
The Pharisees of the day paid lip service to God and the people but secretly sinned and thought that their outward appearance and works guaranteed a spot at the heavenly banquet. These are the ones who let man’s law and traditions interfere with the truth even though they thought they were doing what God asked of them. Forward to modern times, he represents zealous believer who cannot accept the penitent sinner as brother in Christ.  But God has compassion on them as the father showed compassion on his elder son.  If we believe and are unable to love our neighbor as ourselves then we are being like the brother who did not accept the younger. In fact he saw the younger brother as a threat and would not forgive. He chose suffering and isolation over restoration and reconciliation.
For if you forgive others their offenses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you; but if you do not forgive others their offenses, your heavenly Father will not forgive yours. Matthew 6:14-15
He allowed anger to take root in his heart to the point that he was unable to forgive or show compassion towards his brother, and for that matter the perceived sin of his father against him
But for Cain and his offering he had no regard. So Cain was very angry, and his face fell. The Lord said to Cain, “Why are you angry, and why has your face fallen? If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin is crouching at the door. Its desire is contrary to you, but you must rule over it.” Genesis 4:5-7
Let’s recap for a moment what we learned here:
1.      In order to be accepted into the house, we must accept the poor sinner who desires His mercy.
2.      Do not be hard hearted towards a new believer but welcoming. Do not shut a door
3.      God’s Love is the same for all believers so when a new believer comes to the fold, rejoice do not be jealous of his/her acceptance no matter the past if the person is known to you.
4.      Suffering and isolation keeps you away from the joys of heaven. Being in a relationship with other believers, sharing stories of God’s Grace, Love, and Mercy with believers and the lost, and welcoming those who come home is what God desires of us.
 

The Prodigal Son is one of the more popular of the Parables of Jesus because it is easily relatable. When Jesus spoke this one, He was surrounded by the lost and forgotten who sought a home, the upright righteous who were too zealous to see their own broken heart, and those who knew what being lost was like but were found and saw the Way to God through Jesus. All three of those types are represented in this Parable, The son, the son, and the first son again. What if I told you this is a story of the graciousness of the father overshadowing the sinfulness of the son, as it is the memory of the father’s goodness that brings the prodigal son to repentance? Let’s see the first part:
Again Jesus said, “A man had two sons. The younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me the share of the estate that will be mine.’ So the father divided the property between them. As soon as he could convert his share into cash, the younger son left home and went off to a distant country, where he squandered his money in reckless living. But after he had spent it all, a severe famine arose throughout that country, and he began to feel the pinch. Luke 15:11-14
 
The younger son reminds us of the person who wants to live life at the expense of being  disowned by the family. Do you remember when you said to your father or mother that you wanted to live your own life in your own way? Were you like the Prodigal Son spoken here who ignored the teachings of when you were young of the right way to life and explored all other possibilities?    

This is a picture of someone choosing to go his own way and away from God. God gave the Hebrews a choice before Joshua took over for Moses saying, “This day I call the heavens and the earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live” (Deuteronomy 30:19).
We all possess this foolish ambition to be independent, which is at the root of the sinner persisting in their sin, it is Human Nature. Due to this sin we suffer and live apart from God. Those who live without trusting God are in a state of discontent. Luke 12:15 says, “Be careful to guard against all forms of greed, because even if someone is rich, his life does not consist in what he owns.” This son learned the hard way that covetousness leads to a life of dissatisfaction and disappointment. He also learned that the most valuable things in life are the things you cannot buy, nor replace. The son left home and lived life the way he wanted to, buying wants and desires instead of means to survive. So what does this young man do?
“So he went and attached himself to one of the citizens of that country, who sent him into his fields to feed pigs. He longed to fill his stomach with the carob pods the pigs were eating, but no one gave him any. Luke 15:15-16
In his loss of funds, he also lost his will to survive so he takes the most detestable job of feeding pigs. We all know the saying, “Desperate times lead to desperate measures”, without God we lose so much direction that we will do anything to continue living. For the son, it caused further rejection because of his life choice. When people are no longer interested in being near you because your usefulness has ended, they throw you to the pigs and forget about you.
           
 “At last he came to his senses and said, ‘Any number of my father’s hired workers have food to spare; and here I am, starving to death! I’m going to get up and go back to my father and say to him, “Father, I have sinned against Heaven and against you; I am no longer worthy to be called your son; treat me like one of your hired workers.”’ So he got up and started back to his father. Luke 15:17-20
 
The “ah ha” moment has arrived. In pain and darkness one remembers the ease of life when someone watched over you and you had everything you needed. You reflect on the past and seek relief. When you can recognize the condition of the heart and desire a return to peace and tranquility, it is possible. This is reflective of the sinner when he/she discovers the destitute condition of their life because of sin. It is a realization that apart from God there is no hope.  This is when a repentant sinner “comes to his senses” and longs to return to the state of fellowship with God.
“But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was moved with pity. He ran and threw his arms around him and kissed him warmly. His son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against Heaven and against you; I am no longer worthy to be called your son — ’ but his father said to his slaves, ‘Quick, bring out a robe, the best one, and put it on him; and put a ring on his finger and shoes on his feet; and bring the calf that has been fattened up, and kill it. Let’s eat and have a celebration! For this son of mine was dead, but now he’s alive again! He was lost, but now he has been found!’ And they began celebrating. Luke 15:20-24
There is hope in returning home. The son that was lost realized this and prepared his heart to repent. He shocked when his father welcomes him home as if he was a newborn child. God is like that with us. His desire is for an intimate connection with His creation. The son was returned to his rightful place in the family. God renews our spirit and clothes us in His light.
Closer examination of the text reveals an ancient tradition of servanthood in order to repay a debt. He was willing to give up his rights as his father’s son in order to be forgiven. He now understood humility and was truly repentant of his actions against his family. How so the same the repentant sinner who believes in Jesus? The son understood, he was no longer in the good graces of the father to receive the blessings possible and could offer nothing in return for his mercy but his repentant servanthood. He was ready to fall at his father’s feet begging for mercy and forgiveness. This is exactly what turning back to God is all about. We have given up this life of slavery to sin, slavery to the ways of man, and becoming a slave to righteousness. This slavery has no chains as it is freedom from death and damnation to live in the light of God.
This son was lost but returned after having been beaten by the world. At our lowest point, God is there to pick us back up. Jesus carries us through our tribulation and brings us home. All we have to do is repent, return to the arms of Jesus, and follow Him. Have you been lost and come back home? Scary times but the joy of the loving arms is sweet relief.

When in our youth and even into early adulthood there are many obstacles that the Adversary can tempt people with. Believers in God have it real bad as the Adversary’s desire is to thwart God’s plan in our lives. It is this that the next portion of Lessons from the Apostles talks about.
DIDACHE 6
See that no one leads you astray from the way of this teaching, since all other teachings train you without God. For if you are able to bear the entire yoke of the Lord, you will be perfect; but if you are not able, then at least do what you can. Concerning food, do what you are able to do and be on guard against meat offered to idols, for that is to worship dead gods.

If someone says, “Jump off this rock and don’t worry, the ground is soft and will ease your fall.” Would you do it? Look at the conditions, the land on the side you are jumping to is 25 feet down and it looks a bit jagged with thorns and loose rock but grassy with no way back up. Still going to do it? There is also a large fire ant hill right nearby but there is one tiny spot that is clear, soft sand. Still going to try it?

When Peter was led to the Gentile by the Holy Spirit, he was forced to do things that were not the norm for him but it done so that he would have a clearer understanding on how they lived. He was not led astray by the actions and foods. Peter kept the Word on his heart and did not lose himself to the ways of man.

The false/man-made idols were still being worshipped and had grain and drink offerings mostly set before them. Yes in some spots they sacrificed animals but sometimes the food that went to the idols was already prepared. This food went either back to their own home or was given to leaders or the needy. 

In this day and age it is easier to be coerced into falling away. In fact, there are so many ways that it is surprising that we have not completely been torn apart. We do not know what we are eating unless we grow it ourselves so that makes it hard to distinguish whether someone might have offered up the animal before the slaughter. If you think about it, the farmer or breeder raises the animals then when the time comes offers them up for money. Of course this is the way of doing things in society today because we need money to survive, but it was not like that back then.

Jesus warned the Jews about being led astray and even corrected the Sanhedrin in their misguidance through God’s Law which they perverted to suit the society and themselves. But this section has a deeper meaning. Temptations of man to do things that are apart from God lead to sin. If one is tempted and another sees and desires the same, the first caused the second to stumble. When helping one in correction from temptation or sin do not fall in the same trappings so you cause the person to stumble further. Keep God’s Word on your heart and stay in the teachings otherwise you will suffer the same.

The first century Christian Community was very successful in turning Jews back to and Gentiles into the Way of Life which was through Christ and continued to a relationship with God. No one was “converted”, they did not mutate or transform, they had a renewed heart that led them to God.      

​These last six weeks were the basics of living for the Community of Believers. How did they keep the Great Commission and what were the ways they kept God’s Commands? What did they practice? We will return next Sunday with a study on Baptism.

There are songs about coming to the table of the banquet in Heaven but the question is, “What do you bring?” Better yet, what can we not bring? When Jesus was confronted by the Pharisees about the Imperial tax, Jesus responded with a great comment. Let’s see this portion of the Gospel:
Then the Pharisees went out and laid plans to trap him in his words. They sent their disciples to him along with the Herodians. “Teacher,” they said, “we know that you are a man of integrity and that you teach the way of God in accordance with the truth. You aren’t swayed by others, because you pay no attention to who they are. Tell us then, what is your opinion? Is it right to pay the imperial tax to Caesar or not?” But Jesus, knowing their evil intent, said, “You hypocrites, why are you trying to trap me?  Show me the coin used for paying the tax.” They brought him a denarius, and he asked them, “Whose image is this? And whose inscription?”
 “Caesar’s,” they replied.
Then he said to them, “So give back to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s.”
 When they heard this, they were amazed. So they left him and went away.
Matthew 22:14-22
There are two realms, the Spirit and the world. The worldly realm has things that we physically see, touch, use, and sometimes misuse, basically things that we rely on to survive physically. It is our current state of existence. The realm of the Spirit is where God dwells, there is no dust and clay forms, no money, no Xbox, no stressing over what Johnny said on social media, or other material things, there is only what God gave us inside the mortal shell. That is our true selves.
With that said, we know that it will not be anything physical to the table because we cannot take things from this world into the next so that cuts out bringing a main dish, drink, or dessert. We cannot bring a buddy because it is an individual effort. We only bring to God what God gave us in the first place, our very soul.  
Children of God have to live in one realm while preparing for the other. That means there are many choices and decisions we have to make in this world in order to find ourselves in the Arms of God for eternal rest. Man has tried to replicate and out do only what God can do which will always backfire no matter what it is.
While in this world we have to do things in order to survive but we should not give in to things that will keep us from attending the banquet. In fact we are required to separate ourselves from the things of the world. This means not to be so involved in the world that we have no time set aside for God. In fact, there should be no time where God is not an integral part of what we are doing in all facets of our life. This means avoiding the temptations that keep us away from following His Word. If an old sin comes back to haunt you, God has already given you the tools to defeat it. You must make the choice to defeat it or not.
Let’s go back to the Gospel portion written above, specifically the entrapment attempt:
“Teacher,” they said, “we know that you are a man of integrity and that you teach the way of God in accordance with the truth. You aren’t swayed by others, because you pay no attention to who they are. Tell us then, what is your opinion? Is it right to pay the imperial tax to Caesar or not?”
Wow, do they really know what they were asking? Who we are in this world means nothing in the higher scheme of things.  They even tell Jesus that they recognize His lack of acknowledging earthly authorities above God’s Word. But then the kicker question is where they thought they could cause Jesus to speak blasphemy. Jesus’ immediate explanatory yet chastising response was perfect in explaining the difference between realms. 
“So give back to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s.”
Jesus say the physical coin and used the teaching tool here. Physical material things have no variance in Spiritual matters. However, the material things in this world can be manipulated to give God the glory when used for the greater good of the soul. If the material things are used to acquire things that do not have Godly applications but only human, there is no use for it. To Caesar, our soul can be lost and discarded; to God, our soul can be found and redeemed.
What do you bring, or are you even invited? Have you given your life to the service of God? Did you accept Jesus as your Lord and Savior? Are you washed by the blood and the water or just got dunked because it was a cool thing to do? Do you follow God’s Word or just say you are ok because you “found Jesus”?

The last portion of the Didache, we saw the final part of teachings on The Way to Life. I have pointed out the similarities to the Ten Commandments and other parts of the Hebrew Scriptures that communities of The Way lived by. This provides to us that the community was based on the whole Scripture and not just the teachings of Jesus. Jesus came to reveal that the traditions of man had no place in God’s Word. In this short section on the “Way of Death” and the following section about being led astray show that the traditions and teachings of man that are not of God have no relevance in God’s Kingdom.     
Here is the teaching on The Way of Death:
The way of death, on the other hand, is this: It is evil and accursed—murders, adulteries, lust, illicit sex, thefts, idolatries, magical arts, sorceries, robberies, false testimonies, hypocrisy, double-heartedness, deceit, haughtiness, depravity, self-will, greediness, filthy talking, jealousy, over-confidence, loftiness, boastfulness—those who do not fear God. The way of death is the way of those who persecute the good, hate the truth, love lies, and do not understand the reward for righteousness. They do not cleave to good or righteous judgment; they do not watch for what is good, but for what is evil. They are strangers to meekness and patience, loving vanities, pursuing revenge, without pity for the needy and oppressed. They do not know their Creator; they are murderers of children, destroyers of God's image. They turn away from those who are in need, making matters worse for those who are distressed. They are advocates for the rich, unjust judges of the poor. In a word, the way of death is full of those who are steeped in sin. Be delivered, children, from all of this!
This section truly speaks for itself so I will not go into great detail. The Roman Imperial areas in which this was first found had settlements of all types of people and there were many religions that relied on idols, speaking to the dead, chance (roll of the dice), some had no moral code attached to them and allowed debauchery of all sorts.
Today’s society is filled with immoral and amoral behaviors of all sorts. It is filled with people who believe that having double standards is a normal way of living. Behavioral and life choices of many show a lack of good judgement and even though their life seems fine, on the inside they are dying a slow death.   
The Way of Death is everything worldly that is not in line with God’s Will for His creation. It is the choosing to live as they see fit in their own eyes while ignoring or not understanding consequence. The Way of Death is anything that destroys the physical, emotional, or mental state of man and in a sense makes him a creature less than God’s intended design. It is the following of man-made traditions that pervert the Word of God in any way shape or form.
What about the person who believes in Christ but is not truly in Christ. The Way of Death is seeking gratitude where it is not needed, boasting of your deeds without thanking or giving credit to God, compulsive lying, not being the Good Samaritan, etc. The Christian that does not rely on Jesus nor gives thanks but is the first to put money in the offering plate so he does not have to show his faith outside the church is another example. So as you can see, the way to death is not following God’s Word.