Highway of Holiness

Isaiah 35:8-10

' a great road will go through that once deserted land. 

It will be named the Highway of Holiness. 

Evil-minded people will never travel on it. 

It will be only for those who walk in God’s ways; 

fools will never walk there. 

9 Lions will not lurk along its course, 

nor any other ferocious beasts. 

There will be no other dangers. 

Only the redeemed will walk on it. 

10 Those who have been ransomed by the Lord will return'

Highway of Holiness. What is that? Well, a highway is a high way - a path that is raised up, above the ground. It's obvious where it is, and if you're on it you get a better view of what's going on around you. 

It's also the 'way'. There's a purpose and direction to the path and a destination. 

So, who travels on it? Well, it's a public road so to speak so all are invited to use it. It's accessible to all, but, 'evil-minded people will never travel on it'. It is restricted to those who, 'walk in God's ways', 'the redeemed'. So, in order to travel on higher ground, to get a better view of life and have a clear direction you need to be aware of, and following God's ways. It's for those who have accepted Jesus and who desire to live a life of holiness. 

The 'high way' implies a higher way of living, higher standards. God has high expectations for His people to be holy. Those standards do not change, because God never changes. He came down to meet us in the form of Jesus, but he didn't reduce His standards in doing so. 

God has not reduced his standards by allowing us onto this highway. He doesn't expect us to be perfect or holy, but He raises our standards and expectations for our life in our pursuit of holiness. He doesn't reduce his expectations to accommodate our weakness, but He allows His people to be brought up to His level. He puts us on the, 'Highway of Holiness'. Giving us a different viewpoint. It's like as we travel along the highway, we capture something more of what 'holiness' means. 

The pursuit of God is the highway to holiness.

From the first time you step foot onto the highway of holiness, your life changes. The journey gives you a new perspective, a new direction and destination. Like any journey, you learn new things along the way.