The Narrow Gate
The Narrow Gate
Here we are coming together to learn to live this life the way Jesus intended when He chose to die for us. He told us that He came so that we could live an abundant life. He told us that and so much more! Have you ever just read the red words in your Bible so that you could understand who Jesus is and why He died for us? I encourage you to do so. It will affect you. It will change you. You will find that He desires for us to enter by the narrow gate.
In Matthew 7:13-14 “Jesus himself said, “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 who find it.”
Let’s just break that down….
“Enter by the narrow gate” – What is Jesus telling us? We know that in the next couple of sentences He tells us that this narrow gate leads to life. We know that Jesus came so that we could have life and have it more abundantly. Right? So…the fact that the gate is narrow tells us that the majority – the crowd – the world will not be entering that way. It is just going to be the few – the few that truly follow Jesus.
In my Bible it references Luke 13:24. This scripture reads, “Strive to enter through the narrow gate, for many, I say to you, will seek to enter and will not be able.” Why will they not be able? Because there is one way to be able to walk through that gate and it is by accepting Jesus as your Savior. And if we have accepted Jesus as our Savior – there will be proof – there will be evidence in our lives. Listen, I am not trying to scare you or confuse you – but Jesus goes on the make it clear in the next verses in Luke that some will expect to walk through that narrow gate – and be surprised that they will not be allowed to enter. He says that God will say, “I do not know you.”
You see… just like many want to be fit – few do what it takes to get fit. Just like many want to be successful in their profession – few are willing to go above and beyond their responsibilities or take risks to succeed. Same is true here – everyone would choose heaven over hell – but few will actually be set apart – be different – lay down their own their own life and instead live their life for the One who gave His for them.
“Wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it” – Why? Why is the gate to destruction wide? Why are so many going in that direction? Well, because it is easier to live in denial than to apply the truth. It is easier to be bad than to be good. Do you agree? Think about it. Even as a toddler – it was easier to snatch that toy out of your friend’s hand than to patiently wait your turn. It is easier to go along with the crowd than it is to say, “Hey, I not going to do that.” Right? It is easier to have sex than to wait until you are married. It is easier to give in to our desires than to resist them. It is easier to join the gossiping than to say, “She is really a nice person. I like her.” And have to endure the looks we get. It is easier to go along with the crowd than it is to be set apart.
“Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it” – Jesus Himself said it is difficult. It is not easy. It is not always fun. But…listen you’ve got to answer the question “Is it worth it?” “Is it?” It is!!! It is so worth it!!! Even though we will lose some friends; even though we will be judged; even though people may think we have lost our mind; even though our kids don’t get it; even though we have to give up things we enjoy; even though we will have to make sacrifices; even though we have to submit and allow Jesus to be the center of our life; even though we give up our way to do life His way; and even though we will have to endure some battles, some testing, some hardships – it is absolutely, positively; most definitely worth it. You see our relationship with Jesus is all that matters. That’s it! That’s it.
And you know what – even though it is difficult - once you find your way there - you will discover it is the sweet spot of this life. Walking with Him; living in obedience to Him; trusting – truly trusting in Him - will all bring the sweetest, most loving, most precious relationship to full bloom in your life. We don’t have long here on earth. We really don’t. Time will pass before we know it. And at the end of our life…it won’t matter how many friends we had; or how poplar we were; how much success we achieved; what shows we watched on TV or where we travelled. All that will be left is what we did for Jesus. When we get ready to enter the gates - we want to enter by that narrow gate and we want to hear God say – “Well done my good and faithful servant.” Right? Right!!!!
Let’ do this! Let’s do this!
I am so thankful you are reading this blog. God has called me to write and I am thankful someone is reading it. Please help me by encouraging your friends to subscribe. It is easy. Just go to www.masterwhatmatters.org. Click on the word "subscribe" at the top of the page and follow the instructions. Let's all love each other, pray for each other and encourage one another on our path to living the abundant life.