The Way That Leads To Life
Scripture:
Matthew 7 v 13-14: "Enter ye in at the strait gate;
for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and
many there be that go in thereat: because strait is the gate, and narrow is the
way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it."
Of all the most important things to achieve before we
shrug off our mortal existence for whatever lies beyond, we need to put on the
top of our list the way that leads to life. We need to go through the strait
gate to find it.
The strait gate is the gate Jesus went through when He
came to Earth. The way of obedience to His Father; discipline and faithfulness
to the truth. When we are born as human babies we are fragile and needy. We
have a rebellious nature which must be changed by discipline.
In Hebrews 5 v 8-9: "Though he were a Son, yet
learned he obedience by the things which he suffered; and being made perfect,
he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him:"
Discipline and obedience involve a certain amount of
suffering. No pain no gain say dieters, sports people, good presidents etc. Its
a hardship to give up certain things that hinder our spiritual growth. Vices,
habits, partying, clubbing etc should be the first things we allow Jesus to
change in us.
He knows that we cannot progress far beyond the gate
while we are still clinging to the ways of the world - part of the broad way
that leads to destruction. We are deceiving ourselves if we believe that Jesus
created those things so that makes them okay.
Jesus created everything and made it good but in Eden
where Adam fell the creation fell too and became subject to Satan. He poisoned
everything and turned many things hostile to Man's existence.
On the Cross Jesus took our sinful behaviour on Himself
so we could get through the gate called Strait, now we must leave that
behaviour at His feet to move towards that Narrow Way that leads to life.
Its the path less travelled and does not look very
inviting. Its thorny, rocky and steep. We reject it because its a solitary
single path and people would rather be happy and safe in the bigger crowd.
When we finally decide to explore this Narrow Way and get
beyond the initial barriers of doubt, fear, love of money, easy living, and
selfishness we find new intimacy with the Father and with Jesus. He starts to
prune us for greater fruitfulness and add to our lives revelations and gifts
others have missed because they had no pretty packaging.
Even though the going is tough because the crowd
criticise your "independence" and your "difference" you
know you are following the nail-scarred footprints of Jesus and their
persecution of you just takes you to greater heights on the Mountain of God.
You have broken through to the true life God always wants
you to have. Your fellowship is with the Trinity of God - Father, Son and Holy
Spirit - very far removed from the world and its evil. You become involved in
the great rescue of those who seek to know salvation through Jesus Christ. He
forces no-one. He loves everyone and has given a free will to all to choose His
way or not.
If you never move beyond the strait gate you run the risk
of being sucked back into the ungodly world because you never fully left it.
Many churches are still tied to that gatepost by
tradition and false doctrines. They have failed to discern error and continue
to mislead God's people. They are in danger of having their candlestick
removed. Revelation 2 v 5.
So consider your place on the spiritual map and seriously
search for the Narrow Way that leads to life. Be one of the few that finds it!
Prayer: Heavenly Father highlight the strait and narrow
way to those who sincerely seek to plunge into spiritual depths and ascend
spiritual heights. Give them courage to stand for truth and righteousness as a
beacon for the lost to find their way home. In Jesus' name. Amen.