The narrow way of life is indeed the highway to a deeper life with God!
Jesus said: I KNOW HOW YOU CAN HAVE AND LIVE A FULL ABUNDANT LIFE! You can enter God’s Kingdom only through the narrow gate. The highway to hell is broad, and its gate is wide for many who choose that way. But the gateway to life is very narrow and the road is difficult, and only a few ever find it. [Matthew 7:13-14] Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he WHO DOES THE WILL OF MY FATHER in heaven. Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?' And then I will declare, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me (apochōreite -out of My presence), you who practice evil!’ [Matthew 7:21-23] You do realize that Jesus was not speaking to unbelievers, but to those who claimed they knew God and worshipped Him!...
The Christian story is this: We come to the gate that is Jesus. He puts us on the narrow path of purity and holiness and tells us to stay on it! And when we do there will be no doubt or confusion when that final day arrives. The way that leads to eternal life is very important. The problem is that some want to go through the gate of salvation, but they don’t want to stay on the PATH of life Jesus told them to!
This is not prejudicial, judgmental, condemning or hurtful. No, it’s actually with sorrow, not discrimination or condemnation, that Jesus declares the road to eternal life is "narrow, and only a few find it." The narrow way, not the broad road, brings life. This kind of statement was sad for Jesus to make because He saw how few are willing to look for the way that leads to abundant life and stay on it when they find it. The road to destruction is jampacked with Christians who say they believe and follow God, but they are not on the right road. We see compromised, false and lukewarm Christianity becoming so common these days that few are even looking for the narrow path of holiness anymore. Some Christians can't even tell the difference between holy and evil anymore.
The narrow way is not legalism or performance, but Jesus’ loving way of reminding us that there is no other way to enter His Father’s kingdom but by the narrow way. This way of living is found when faithfulness, holiness and worship work together to bring God’s people through THAT FINAL GATE that leads to the presence of God. As you press deeper into God… let the narrowing of the way bring focus, intimacy and sacrifice to your worship. God is calling you deeper if you will make the choice to come!
Psalm 1 says those who walk in the Lord will live in blessings, peace, joy and prosperity.
Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stands in the path of sinners, nor sits in the seat of the scornful; but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and in His law he meditates day and night. He shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that brings forth its fruit in its season, whose leaf also shall not wither; and whatever he does shall prosper. The ungodly are not so but are like the chaff which the wind drives away. Therefore, the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous. For the Lord knows the way of the righteous, But the way of the ungodly shall perish.
The narrow way is the only way to life, blessing, health, peace, joy and assurance.
Is how you live every day always leading you to Jesus?
Is how you live every day keeping you on the narrow way?
If not… it's time to get back on your knees… it's time to get back to worship… it's time to start living the deeper life again!
The deeper life with God can only be found on the narrow way that leads to eternal life!
BY NICO SMIT
‘THE NARROW WAY TO A DEEPER LIFE WITH GOD’ - published 7 September 2024.
Find it and other encouragements on: nicosmitblog.com
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