LEARNING DAILY

 

Matthew 7”13-14, “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 on it.  Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.”  Jesus

 

Jesus has finished teaching at this point in the Sermon on the Mount.  But He continues to stress the importance and necessity for practicing in their daily life the principles He has given them.  The Sermon on the Mount is meant to be practiced not just read and thought to be a great message.  If what Jesus has said would be lived out by Believers their life would be lived on the narrow road.  Jesus also understood that the majority of the multitudes would live their lives on the road that leads them to destruction.  Everyday is a choice.  The Lord Jesus wanted (and still wants) His followers to enter the narrow gate and stay on the narrow path. 

 

The gate is narrow because when we enter, we cannot take certain things with us.  We must leave the things of the world behind.  The Bible tells us when Christ becomes our Savior and Lord, we become a new creation and must live in the world but not be a part of it; we are to be different from the world, different from the crowd.  The old things, the old beliefs, are left behind when we get on the narrow road.

 

When we enter the narrow gate, we leave “self” behind.  Self is the fallen nature.  Think back to the Beatitude that says, “Blessed are the poor in spirit.”  The natural man is not poor in spirit; he is full of pride and self-centeredness.  To be on the narrow road one must, “deny himself, take up his cross daily, and follow Me (Christ).”  Those who enter the humble gate of true repentance and deny themselves to follow Jesus, sincerely attempt to obey His commands, earnestly seek His kingdom and His righteousness.  Sadly, Jesus states there will not be many who do so. 

 

The narrow way means that the gospel of Christ is something that depends on each of us making a decision and a commitment to follow it.  It is a call to follow Jesus Christ and be committed in doing so.  The narrow road is dominated by the mind of Jesus, His way of thinking, His speech, and His way of life. 

 

The Christian life is a difficult one; few find it.  It means living like Christ did and that is a high standard.  Along the way, one will probably encounter many enemies and challenges to be met.  This is not to be discouraging.  No one on the road is alone.  Others have made the decision to enter the narrow gate. Jesus said few will find the narrow way; they may be few but they are special.  Consider who is leading them.  Martin Lloyd-Jones said, “The Lord Jesus Christ did not come to save people from hell; He came to make them holy and pure, fit for the kingdom of heaven.”  Jesus said, “Follow Me!”  The narrow way is to make us more like Him, to live like Him, and to be ready for the day He calls us to live with Him for eternity.

 

You are going to make mistakes, even fail at times when on the narrow way.  But when we stumble or fall the hand of Jesus is there to help us up (Okay.  I borrowed from Peter sinking on the water.)  We learn more from being in the valley than staying on the mountain top.  (I borrowed that as well.). 

 

Jesus is the most important reason for entering the narrow gate and staying on the narrow way.  It has been an incredible journey for me.  It is by keeping your eyes on Jesus that He leads us into eternity!  Join me!

 

 

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