Matthew 7:13-14
Enter by the narrow gate, for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few that find it.
Big wide entrance....neon flashing light to point the way. Just follow the crowd and you can't miss it. Search lights sweep the skies announcing the entrance to destruction. The ease at which one can enter in seems so natural and right. The way to destruction is defined by a feeding of the flesh. The motto of the broad, wide entrance is very simple. "Do what you want to do, no matter what! And do it whenever you feel like it!". No thought of God. No thought of the consequences of our sin as we jet down the super highway to destruction.
There is much laughter and false joy on the broad spacious freeway of destruction. So many people all going in the same direction. How could such a vast crowd be wrong. After all, there is the whole "majority opinion" working here, isn't it? You've heard all the religious, recovery mumbo-jumbo. "Jesus is our Higher Power". ...."It works it you work it"...."Keep coming back".
"God can do for you what you cannot do for yourself." Cleaver sayings that seem so antiquated here on this highway.....After all, we aren't hurting anyone else, are we?
Then there is the narrow gate....
The narrow way....
Scripture in Matthew 7 says that the narrow way is difficult.
Why?
Why would such a path that leads to real life....abundant life....eternal life be so difficult?
Because it is impossible to find or enter into in our own strength or ability.
One cannot move through the gates of life simply because you might have a list of degrees and education longer than your arm. Good people cannot enter in. Religious people are barred from entering in. So why are there "few that find it" as stated in Matthew 7?
Because the narrow gate requires you to lay down your will and life and accept Jesus as your Savior....recognize Him as Lord.
You see, Jesus is the key to entering in....
We have be empty of self before we can be filled with Him.....
We have to turn over will and life to His care before we can move through the gates of God's life.
It's not a popular view...
But it is a necessary view...
This weekend was a time of seeing people find that narrow way....
Flying full tilt down the super highway to destruction, suddenly the off ramp to the narrow way came into view and 10 people decided to get off. They'd had enough traveling on destruction highway.
They heard the message from God....
Their hearts were tender to the move of God's Holy Spirit upon His word.
They received Jesus as their Savior...
They placed their very lives under the submission of Jesus, recognizing Him as their Lord.
Funny part in all of this....
I guarantee that as they move forward in this new relationship, that narrow way won't seem so narrow any more. It will open up as their eyes and hearts become to this new way of living and see endless possibilities in front of them as God leads them.
Such is the way of the Lord....
Needless to say, it was a good weekend.
Thanks to the core leadership of Vineyard ReCovery church....
And thanks to all the folks at Catalyst Recovery....
God is good, is He not?
God on you...
michael b.
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