The course of life.  'The way of sinners' (Psa. 1:1 cf. 1:6).

The will of God.  'I being in the way' (Gen. 24:27).

Any form of belief.  'The way ... they call heresy' (Acts 24:14).

As early as Genesis 3 we learn that 'the way of the tree of life' was

preserved by the flaming sword, and guaranteed by the symbolism of the

cherubim.  This way which started at the door of the garden of Eden, wends

its course, sometimes in lowly valleys, sometimes over majestic heights,

through wildernesses, in crowded city, in tent, by pilgrims, under law, or

under grace, until in the Apocalypse we find the long trail is over and

access to the Tree of Life is at last restored (Rev. 22:2).  This way is

given a number of names in the Scriptures, which combine to focus our

attention on the nature of the road itself, or the goal at the end.  It is

one of the heartening consequences of being translated out of the way of

death, and having our feet placed on the way of life, to be given at the same

time a conviction that there is a purpose in the ages, and an end in view (1

Cor. 15:24 -28).  Here are some of the names of this Way in the Scriptures --

The Way of Truth (Psa. 119:29,30), put over against

The Way of Lying.

The Way of His Commandments (Psa. 119:32);

The Way of Righteousness (Prov. 16:31);

A Way of Holiness (Isa. 35:8);

The Way of Peace (Isa. 59:8; Rom. 3:17),

undiscoverable by man apart from divine guidance, illumination

and grace.

Teaching also is associated with a 'Way':

'Thou ... teachest the way of God in truth' (Matt. 22:16).

'Aquila and Priscilla ... expounded unto him the way of God more

perfectly' (Acts 18:26).

The Saviour uses the term of Himself, saying,

'I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life: no man cometh unto

the Father,

but by Me' (John 14:6).

This is really a figure of speech called hendiatris and should read 'I am the

true and living way', just as Hebrews 10:20 tells us that we draw near by a

'new and living way'.  Two ways, however, take their rise at the door of the

garden of Eden, 'The way of Cain' (Jude 11) and the way of Abel (Heb. 11:4).

The one way recognizes the necessity for a Redeemer, the other dares to

approach God uncovered by sacrifice.  The LXX translation of Genesis 4:7 is

highly suggestive:

'Hast thou not sinned, if thou hast brought it rightly, but not rightly

divided it?'

While the Gospel is, and must be 'The Gospel of God', that Gospel must

also be 'concerning His Son' (Rom. 1:1 -4).  Christian belief was early

denominated 'The Way' (Acts 9:2).  In Acts 19:9,23 many spake evil of 'that

way'; and there arose no small stir 'about that way'.  Referring to his past

life Paul said, in Acts 22:4, 'I persecuted this way unto the death', and

ultimately confessed that 'After the way which they call heresy' he

worshipped the God of his fathers (Acts 24:14).  A way has been made in which

the redeemed may walk where: provision, guidance and protection is assured.