THE WAY
Believers were early identified as followers of The Way. To me, that implies a way or style of life. It has far more to do with lifestyle than belief system.
Today, we are far more concerned with the right belief system than the style of life.
When we focus on lifestyle, we focus on things we have stopped doing rather than on a self-giving, loving, serving, accepting, inclusive, and cross-bearing lifestyle brought about by an inner change through the presence of the Spirit of Jesus.
The current American religious way seems to be, I will tell you what to believe, how to act, how and where to worship, who to be friends with (those who look/act like me) direct your politics and focus on the 10 Commandments (Old Covenant – the way of Law and rules) rather than The Sermon on the Mount (New Covenant – The way of the Spirit and direct relationship with Jesus).
I am afraid most church folks prefer the way of rules and ritual rather than the way of Grace, received from above and given laterally. That is a Way that is discovered daily in a walk through life with Jesus, not a rigid road-map that tells you all the twists and turns ahead. It is a warm hand in the dark, not shouted directions from afar.
If someone gives you a “road map to heaven,” be careful. The Way to heaven is a life walk with Jesus, not just showing up at the Pearly Gates.