LEARNING DAILY

 

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

 

We have been told that once a person gives their life to Jesus Christ all problems cease. Can any of you tell me that this is what you found after you gave your life to the Lord? In the verse above Jesus speaks of the difficulty his followers will have as they walk the narrow way to eternal life in God’s kingdom. Let me suggest some reasons the narrow way is difficult to walk.

 

One thing that Believers do not always expect is the enemy, Satan, doing everything he can to cause the new believer to think his experience with the Risen Savior is not true. Never forget that Satan hates you because you gave your life to Jesus. He is going to do everything he can to cause you to be too busy to read your Bible, to pray, to worship the Lord. He is going to do everything he can to cause temptations to come your way – those things that especially were sinful in your life before Jesus. He is going to try to discredit you with your peers, family, and friends. He never lets up in his pursuit of you!

 

I do not want anyone to think the enemy is the cause of every problem you have. Jesus warned His followers that because they were in the world, they would have problems. Those of the world hated Jesus and because of that, those in the world will hate His followers. I have had former friends, before I accepted Christ, that came up to me and mocked me for my new found relationship with my Savior. As we look around at the world today, we are continually bombarded by teachings that are contrary to God’s Word, continually face deceitful practices by those following worldly thoughts, and are continually being challenged to act like those who teach and practice ungodliness.

 

Here is a third cause of difficulty in walking the narrow way. It is you and me. I think of how often I have walked too closely to the edge of the narrow way. I remember even having one foot on the narrow way while the other straddles the edge and is on the broad way; one foot in and one foot out. Be careful! We cannot sin just because God forgives us when we do, Forgiveness is not a license to sin. I’m not alone, am I? We allow temptation to come because we don’t run when we should, when temptation comes. Is any of us strong enough to play with temptation? No! We had better be careful of what we look at, or where we go, and what we do!

 

Walking on the narrow way is not easy because we are constantly being attacked with opportunities to sin; sin that is often difficult to resist. Sin comes in pretty packages, opportunities for “worldly” gain. Because of that, we continue to read and study God’s Word, continue to pray, and continue to walk on the narrow way with obedience to the Lord. Temptations, disappointments, and various challenges come every day. We stay ready so when they come, we face them with the power of the Holy Spirit’s guidance and strength. God’s promise is to never leave or forsake us as we walk in obedience to His Word. That’s strength and power!