We are still not able to go to traditional (as in at a building with hundreds of other people) church services due to DH's immune issues. We watch and are blessed by the teachings of some preachers (both on television and internet) but sit in jaw-dropped amazement at the total lack of scriptural authenticity in others. Today in our devotionals we read a section in Matthew which struck me as the saddest verses in the NT - now don't come at me saying verses around the crucifixion are sadder - we know Christ's sacrifice was for a purposeful plan the Father had to give us a way back to Him.
The Narrow and Wide Gates NIV Matthew 7:13"Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. 14 But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it."
I've read these verses at least a hundred times in my 6 decades of life- but this morning those words "only a few find it" hit me so hard. Jesus taught clearly to thousands a truth which the world wants to ignore. MOST will choose the easy road and be led to destruction. Following the teachings of some spiritual leaders will not get you to that narrow gate.
Just a few verses later it is clear how the end will be for those who deliberately misconstrue His words and teachings- (the Message paraphrase)Matthew 7:21-23"Knowing the correct password—saying 'Master, Master,' for instance— isn't going to get you anywhere with me. What is required is serious obedience—doing what my Father wills. I can see it now—at the Final Judgment thousands strutting up to me and saying, 'Master, we preached the Message, we bashed the demons, our God-sponsored projects had everyone talking.' And do you know what I am going to say? 'You missed the boat. All you did was use me to make yourselves important. You don't impress me one bit. You're out of here.' "
I realize, dear readers, we are all at different stages in understanding. If you haven't been reading the Bible regularly I highly recommend it as a daily activity. We believe the Holy Spirit reveals to us when we are ready - when we have "ears to hear". Apparently I am at a point where I need to realize not everyone we love is going to choose the narrow road - we'll continue to pray for opening their eyes to the truth , for their hearts not to be hardened - but it isn't up to us. So it is good on Buhlaland - we have the blessing of scriptures to read and eyes to see and ears to hear - even when those eyes are shedding tears.
As an editorial note - I'll enable comment moderation for this post - seems to be a number of folks out there with particular demons to exorcise in their minds who like to post comments.
5 comments:
great post Linda Sue.
You (and the Word) are so right. I have beloved in my own family who have not found the narrow way yet. It grieves me so much, and I pray for them daily, but it's THEIR choice.
I sometimes feel like my path widens abit at times, and then I have to repent and step carefully again down the narrow way and be cautious lest I stumble.
Thank you for this post. The very
verses you mention has appeared to be pure frightening some times.
It constantly makes me re-examine
my self.
I fear that most of our modern churchs have taken the broad way.
Keep up the good work.
so true, so true....keep preaching the good word, Linda....wide is the path that leads to destruction and narrow is the way to eternal life....I listen to the Calvary Chapel podcasts occasionally, I think you would like them..good Biblical teaching..I think I've posted the link in my blog but if you'd like it, just give me a email...
Oh, this is a good post.
Staying on a narrow path brings joy. It does not make the day to day troubles go away, but we definitely know when we are on it. Staying on it, keeping it narrow is not easy, because we are human. We can only try, work hard at it.
And yes, it is sad scripture, and it is scary in many ways.
For this reason, I tend to listen to God's word (through reading) more than I do to a human preaching it. Someone asked me a few days ago about interpreting the bible as either a conservative or a liberal. I replied, "Why either? It is written as it is."
This is an awesome post. It says so much, and it is why I am drawn to you. You say it like it is, you stand up for the Word of God. I agree with you it is the very saddest of verses. It is heavy and it oft weighs heavy on our hearts and causes us to see and feel our burden for others. And yes, like yourself, we see that these verses speak very strongly to those who think they are in the right group, who think they are following the Master.
But as a previous comment mentioned the narrow road brings joy. Joy and freedom. As I was driving into downtown yesterday, I was pondering much the same as this post of yours, that those "Christians", traveling that wide road, think that they are enjoying freedom and they look over at those on the narrow road and think that they are all caught up in bondage to "belief systems", those folks, those wide road folks, are under major deception. Col 3:8 I believe, deceptive philosophy.
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