It is certain, at some point in our lives, we have heard or even used the phrase, “My way or the highway.” This saying, when used without malice, is used to remind a subordinate to do things exactly as they are told. Interestingly enough, this phrase can be used to draw some spiritual lessons.

Many among those professing Christianity today proclaim their ways better than God’s ways. Often, it is nothing so bold as personally telling God that their ways are better. It is generally seen in subtle acts of rebellion against the word of God. Of course, we would have to reiterate our saying a bit to make it represent what is truthfully being professed (e.g., “My ways are the high ways!” or “My ways are better than the high ways!”); nevertheless, the outcome constitutes nothing more than the transgression of God’s word (1 John 3:4).

Through Isaiah the prophet, God says, “‘For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are My ways your ways,’ says the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts” (Isa. 55:8-9). Indeed, as Israel needed this rebuke then, many also need it today!

For example, the Lord said, “call no man father” (Matt. 23:9), obviously speaking in a spiritual sense. However, the Catholic and Episcopalian churches call their spiritual leaders “father.” How is this justified? They have deemed their ways as the high ways, and even better than the “high ways” of God, by authorizing and practicing something in direct contradiction to the edict of our Lord.

Lest this be deemed overly simplistic or trivial, as some are wont to say, the Catholic church has placed a hierarchy of intercessors between God and man when there is only One—Christ (1 Tim. 2:5). They have a Pope, who is supposed to sit in the seat of Peter and be the Vicar of Christ on earth. Indeed, no such institution is found in scripture. Furthermore, we see another form of intercession in the Catholic practice of confession, which has sinners confess their sins to a priest, who is supposed to absolve them of sin, rather than directly to God. The Bible says, “confess your faults one to another” (Jas. 5:16) and “If we confess our sins, He (God) is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9). Nowhere is the Catholic practice and formula of confession found in scripture. Thus, will it be their way or the high way?

Outside of Catholicism, many examples can also be found. Many Protestants teach that baptism is not necessary for salvation. Instead, they suggest one say a prayer and receive God into their heart. However, was it not the Lord Himself who said, “he who believes and is baptized shall be saved, but he who does not believe shall be condemned” (Mark 16:16)? Whose ways are higher? This is further supported by the fact that there is not a single example in the New Testament of one practicing this plan of salvation (a sinner’s prayer), but example after example of first century Christians practicing what the Lord commands! Shall we follow man’s ways (Matt. 15:9) or THE WAY (John 14:6)?

In addition to their idea of salvation, they compound their error by suggesting that once a man is saved by their plan, he is always saved. In other words, they are suggesting that one can never fall from grace. While this might sound like a grand way (and is it ever an appealing way!), it is clearly not the “high way” of God. The Lord, through His apostle Paul, told His saints who were turning back to Judaism (which suggested another plan of salvation at this time—Gal. 1:6-9), “You have become estranged from Christ, you who attempt to be justified by law; you have fallen from grace” (Gal. 5:4). If one who is saved is always saved, than how is it he can fall from grace? Indeed, God’s ways take a much higher road than man’s lowly ways.

Now, we would not want to think of ourselves beyond reproach. For even amongst churches of Christ, there are those who suggest a way higher than God’s way. Regarding issues such as divorce and remarriage, the Lord said that there is only one acceptable reason for divorce in which remarriage is possible, and that is fornication (Matt. 19:9). However, many, in various ways, have tried to circumvent the Lord’s plain teaching on this matter. Whose way is higher?

In addition to that doctrine, yet closely related, the seed of error is being sown by those who strive to use God’s word to claim a false teacher can only be determined by his motives. Yet, was it not Jesus who said, you should judge a tree by its fruit (Matt. 7:15-20). Is not one of the fruits of a false teacher false teaching? Does not Jesus say they will come to us in “sheep’s clothing” (i.e., appearing innocent of motive)? Thus, motive is not the factor, for that is the seed of error. We are to look at the fruit of error—teaching and practice. It does not seem to get any clearer than this. Yet, when man is bent on having his way (fellowshipping those who teach error), over God’s way (withdrawing from those who teach error—Rom. 16:17-18; 2 John 9-11; Eph. 5:11-12; 2 Thess. 3:14-15; Tit. 3:10-11; 1 Tim. 6:3ff), does not man make his own way the high way?

This same controversy is compounded by those who are trying to use Paul’s clear teaching in Romans 14 on matters of personal liberty, or conscience, to advocate continued ongoing fellowship with doctrinal and moral error (i.e., fellowship those who teach error on marriage, divorce and remarriage, and such). Indeed, no Christian is at liberty or can conscientiously endorse, partake of, fellowship, teach or practice things contrary to God’s way (1 Pet. 2:16; 1 Tim. 1:19; Tit. 1:15-16). Even in issues of personal liberty (Rom. 14; 1 Cor. 8; 1 Cor. 10:23-33), our way does not rule. God tells us, “if your brother is grieved because of your food, you are no longer walking in love. Do not destroy with your food the one for whom Christ died” (Rom. 14:15; cf. 1 Cor. 8:9, 13; 10:24).

Am I suggesting “My way or the highway?” You may ask, “Can’t we all, as sincere people, interpret the scriptures differently? What makes your interpretation right and mine wrong?” The truth is that God’s word is understandable (Eph. 5:17) and when it comes to the faith, there is only one (Eph. 4:5). Thus, we both can’t be right! Anyone who is sincere will acknowledge this as fact and realize, when one’s ways directly conflict with God’s ways, we have made our ways higher than His ways. Whose ways do we choose? Since God has told us His way is the high way (Isa. 55:8-9; John 14:6), the answer should be clear.