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:
14 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. It is the path less travelled and that makes it even more precious to us. Jesus says very few find this path!
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;
9 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, sexual sins, partying, clubbing etc. should be among 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 when Adam fell the creation fell too and became subject to Satan. He poisoned everything and turned many things hostile to Man's existence. Animals, reptiles, plants, insects, there are many that are deadly.
Jesus is the Word of God made flesh, therefore every word of the Bible is the CV of Jesus, and much more than that.
John 21 v 24 - 25: "This is the disciple which testifieth of these things, and wrote these things: and we know that his testimony is true.
25 And there are also many other things which Jesus did, the which, if they should be written every one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that should be written. Amen."
If these many things that Jesus did were not written down for posterity we can only know them if He chooses to reveal them. He is the Alpha and Omega, the Beginning and the End, He is the sum of Perfection and He is with us every step of the way. He waits patiently for us to explore the path less travelled where He can give us answers to mysteries, and revelations of secrets.
On the Cross Jesus took our sinful behaviour on Himself so we could get through the gate called Strait. We must leave that behaviour at His feet to move towards that Narrow Way that leads to life. His shed Blood takes sinfulness out of our lives freeing us to experience His love, blessings and even greater things than He did.
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 plus add to our lives revelations and gifts others have missed because the gifts 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. The persecution by former friends 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. Whatever hold it has upon you must be broken and discarded. When you desperately try to justify it, its the same as Adam and Eve donning their fig leaves after they ate the forbidden fruit. Alcohol, smoking, drugs, sex outside marriage are part of the Devil's playground. Get away from those temptations that block your soul from the Mountain top.
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. The Church needs to move beyond the Cross into the spiritual realm of the fruits and gifts of the Holy Spirit. If the Church is not moving in the power of the Spirit it will compromise your eternal destination if you stay in that environment. The churches are in danger of having their candlestick removed. Unless it has been removed already. Revelation 2 v 5.
The most important words in the Bible are found in John 3 v 3 - 7: "Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.
4 Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born?
5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.
6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.
7 Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again."
You will not even know about the strait and narrow if you are not born again. Any church not emphasizing the born again doctrine, preaching it, having altar calls for salvation, has ceased to function in God's will. No matter how friendly, loving, kind or eloquent in preaching, this church is built on sand so rain will wash it away.
Any church not engaged in baptism by immersion in water, is likewise deceived and not a proper sanctuary for believers. Baby baptism or christening is nothing to God. Jesus was dedicated to God at 8 days old and baptised at 30 years old. Baptism is vital to salvation after you are born again. If we are followers of Jesus we must step away from the Law and tradition, as He did, even if some get offended. Follow the way Jesus laid out for us.
Any church elevating Mary as Co-Redeemer with Christ, has lost the plot completely. Anyone even praying to Mary or any dead saints for help or salvation is deceived and going nowhere slowly.
These three things written in the above paragraphs, are vital and true. In most mainline churches they have not done them at all. Millions of deceased churchgoers are in Hell with millions more to follow them because they have not walked in truth. They have not been told the whole truth. Someone has to shout it from the rooftops.
I am writing this blog because I was in those churches growing up. Anglican, Presbytarian and at a Roman Catholic school. When I was 25 years old I met Jesus and was born again. All I learned from those religions was that they have very little hope of reaching Heaven no matter how charitable or humanitarian they may be.
2 Corinthians 6 v 14 - 18: "Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?
15 And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel?
16 And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.
17 Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you,
18 And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty."
If you are not born again you are an unbeliever.
Mark 16 v 16 - 18: "He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.
17 And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues;
18 They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover."
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.