"Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who
enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few." Matthew 7:13-14.
Our lives are very often built around comfort. We fill up our time with activities that provide the absence of pain as much as possible. We work so that we can vacation. We save so that we can retire and travel. We buy the newest and best so that we may fit in with those around us. Everywhere we go, the world is screaming "Do what's best for you! Think about yourself! You deserve it!"
I believe that the American church has grown stale over the past several years because we have been caught up in the trappings of wealth and prosperity and as such, we have lost sight of the fact that Jesus did not call us to an easy road. Paul said "that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share in his sufferings..." (Philippians 3:10). Do we really grasp that the Christian life was not designed to be a life of ease and comfort?
Lest we think that we will constantly be downtrodden and that everyone feel sorry for us, we must remember that the narrow gate and the hard way lead to life. And what a life it is!
"You make known to me the path of life (the narrow gate and the hard road); in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore."
1. In what ways are we tempted by the world to follow the easy way?
2. How have you seen God work in your life to help you pursue his life via the hard road?
Peace,
Jeff Moody
jeffmoody82@gmail.com
I read recently about the ABC's of Christianity - Adversity Builds Character. God has allowed me to know the fellowship of sufferings as Paul talks about and this is the path of life. We find fullness of joy not when we are free from suffering but when we find and fellowship with Jesus /in/ our suffering.
Posted by: Laura Hicks | March 13, 2009 at 01:03 PM