Published 4/12/19
Read Matthew 7:13-14
"Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it."
Reflect
· Do you tend to walk more on the broad road or the narrow one? (Be honest and explain your answer.)
· What makes the narrow gate so hard to find?
· How can engaging the Bible help us find the narrow way?
Is Jesus holding up a standard that is too high for anyone to attain? Not at all. His point is this: It's not about good behavior and human ability. It's about a minute-by-minute relationship with Him. Jesus is the one who empowers us to follow His path. He's the one who gives us the power not to sin. And if we mess up, He'll always forgive us and help us start over again. For most of us, heaven is a lifetime away, so we're tempted to look to the easy route. Many people point us toward this easy, wide road: friends at work and at school, much of the media, political leaders. Unfortunately, the easy route doesn't head in the right direction.
But other people point us toward the right road--the narrow one: pastors, family members, our brothers and sisters in Christ, and, of course, Jesus Himself. Which kingdom will we finally reach? God has made it clear which one He wants us to choose. Now it's our turn to make the choice. How? (1) Confess. Are there sins we need to talk to Jesus about? Coming clean is crucial to building a deeper relationship with Him. (2) Submit. If Jesus Christ is truly our Lord that means He's our Master. We must make an effort to obey Him and to rely on His strength. (Psalm 28:7) (3) Dedicate. Knowing God is a lifelong process. We must commit to spending time with Him every day--making our relationship Him our top priority.
Pray
Lord, help me to never put my own desires before You. Amen. Ask Him to put in you a desire for the narrow way--not what's easy.