Tag: the narrow way

The Narrow Gate

~ servantone1 ~ 1 Comment

JESUS SPEAKS

“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.” (Matthew 7: 13 – 14)

INSPIRED THOUGHTS

Living as a Christian is more difficult than any other way of life. Not many will choose to follow Christ because all believers are required to embrace selflessness; sacrificing our own desires in the present to better accomplish God’s will. The vast majority of individuals will choose the widest, easiest path; feeding their own flesh to avoid experiencing any present discomfort. Still, the path to eternal life is to die with Christ and be reborn.

According to historical accounts, in 320 A.D., Emperor Lucinius was engaged in the persecution of Christians within the boundaries of the Roman Empire. During this time, we read of an event that took place Near the city of Sebaste. Defying their commanders, approximately 40 honorable soldiers refused to denounce their faith in Jesus Christ. As punishment, they were marched onto a frozen pond and their garments were removed. They were given instructions that if they relented and abandoned their faith they could come back to shore and warm themselves. In defiance, the men rejoiced as they saw their eternal destination fast approaching. One man however, did relent; and yet another soldier who was guarding the men removed his clothes and took his place; confessing his newfound faith in Jesus. They all died, but are still alive in Christ.

Often, like these 40 soldiers, to live according to God’s commandments is to face death and persecution in the present. The path to eternal life is narrow; and not many will choose this sacrificial form of living. However, we should not be depressed or downcast. The Christian life, with all of its difficulties, is utterly amazing. Nothing else can produce overwhelming joy and everlasting peace within the human heart. As we celebrate our future with God, we can rejoice in the present.

“Lord Heavenly Father, give us the strength and courage to choose what is right and to shun the passing pleasures of sin. May we sacrifice our own desires for the good of Your Kingdom, spreading the gospel message to all those we meet. You alone are the Author and the Finisher of our faith. We love You Father, we praise You, and we thank You, and we ask and pray all of these things, according to Your will, in Jesus Christ’s name. Amen.” God bless all of you!

Christians are Strange

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JESUS SPEAKING

“That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’ The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear the sound of it, but you cannot tell where it comes from and where it goes. So is everyone who is born of the Spirit.” (John 3: 6 – 8)

INSPIRED THOUGHTS

The wind is an invisible force that can demolish buildings and uproot large trees. Yet the origin and destination of any significant gust is imperceptible. The Spirit of God is also invisible, yet it has the power to transform lives and accomplish the impossible. Those who accept the gospel receive the Holy Spirit and are born again. Their origin and eventual destination are clearly discerned; they come from God and will one day return to Him; their lives are changed in the most meaningful ways. Those who possess no knowledge of God are baffled by Christians; their behaviors are considered strange and peculiar. ‘Why be selfless?’ ‘Why serve others?’ ‘Why embrace honesty and integrity at the expense of profits and material possessions?’

In first Peter 1 verse 4 we read, “In regard to these (sinful behaviors), they will think it strange that you do not run with them in the same flood of dissipation, speaking evil of you.” Many years ago, after becoming a Christian, I worked as a sales representative for a local business. Around the holiday season, a delivery driver decided to give small calendars away to all the male employees. He entered my office and threw one of them onto my desk. Much to my dismay, there was a pornographic image of a woman on the front. I told him I didn’t want the item and gave it back to him; making it known that I didn’t look at pornography. He seemed shocked, offended, and even a bit angry. To him, my reaction was odd; my behavior was strange. In his mind all men enjoyed looking at pornography.

To those who are not saved, the manner in which Christians live is considered peculiar and strange. The ungodly are ruled over by their fleshly desires; they live to satisfy themselves now. They cannot see the end from the beginning; and so they embrace sin with enthusiasm. Still, in every generation there are Christians dwelling in the midst of the masses. They follow what is good and lasting; denying their fleshly appetites to satisfy God’s will. They are a light in the darkness.

“Lord Heavenly Father, we pray for those who are lost; may they see your good works and be driven to the foot of the cross. May they be reborn and embrace virtue, love, and mercy. Pour out Your Spirit into our hearts, that we might be used to spread the gospel and bring others to salvation. We love You Father, we praise You, and we thank You, and we ask and pray all of these things, according to Your will, in Jesus Christ’s name. Amen.” God bless all of you!

Consider the Cost

~ servantone1

JESUS SPEAKING

“And whoever does not bear his cross and come after me cannot be my disciple. For which of you, intending to build a tower, doesn’t sit down first and count the cost, whether he has enough to finish it—lest, after he has laid the foundation, and is not able to finish, all who see it begin to mock him, saying, ‘This man began to build but was not able to finish?'” (Luke 14: 27 – 30)

INSPIRED THOUGHTS

Jesus used this parable to warn any potential followers of the lifelong hardships they would endure as a result of Christian living. In full disclosure, He instructs them to “count the cost,” lest they commit themselves in error and eventually turn away from the faith prior to entering eternal life. In this present age, genuine believers will experience overwhelming joy, peace, sanity, healing and truth; but in service to God, they will also know suffering, persecution, hatred, and temporary discomfort. The Christian path is narrow, difficult, and rarely chosen. And yet it is the only way to enter the kingdom of heaven.

Adoniram Judson, the renowned missionary to Burma, experienced untold hardships while trying to reach the lost for Christ. For seven years he suffered hunger and poverty. He was eventually thrown into Ava Prison, where he endured incredible mistreatment for 17 months. For the rest of his life he would carry the ugly scars from the chains and iron shackles that bound him. Upon his release, he remained steadfast. He asked for permission to enter another province where he could continue preaching the Gospel. The godless ruler denied his request, saying, “My people are not foolish enough to listen to anything a missionary might say, but I fear they might be impressed with your scars and turn to your religion.”

Before an individual makes the decision to follow Jesus, they too must sit down and consider the cost. What does Christ expect from us? The answer is, ‘everything.’ Our whole lives. By submitting ourselves to His will, we can know unfading joy and everlasting peace. Following Jesus is a lifelong endeavor which requires great sacrifice; we will endure untold hardships, and persistent persecution. And yet, if we lay down our lives now, we will receive the greatest prize imaginable; eternal life with God in His kingdom.

“Lord Heavenly Father, may we continue to walk in faith as we spread the gospel to those who are willing to receive Your truth. Fill our hearts with joy, even as we endure persecution and suffering for Your Name’s sake. Order our steps and guide our decisions, that we might serve others and willingly sacrifice our own wants to accomplish Your desires. We love You Father, we praise You, and we thank You, and we ask and pray all of these things, according to Your will, in Jesus Christ’s name. Amen.” God bless all of you!