LEARNING DAILY

 

Psalm 119:105-106, Your Word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. I have sworn and confirmed that I will keep Your righteous judgments.

 

You are on the narrow way because you chose to enter onto it through the narrow gate, Jesus Christ. There are important principles to help you stay on this way that leads to eternal life in God’s kingdom. Jesus said it would be a difficult way because there are so many temptations set before you to try to get you off the narrow way and back on the broad way leading to destruction. Because of that you and I are given the principles we need to understand in order to help us.

 

God’s Word is given to us as a lamp to guide our feet and a light to our path. “It is the spiritual principles that will help us avoid many sorrows. Pitfalls, and tragedies brought on by wrong decisions and choices; consequently, we must treasure its wisdom and steadfastly hold on to its precepts in all life’s situations” (LSSB). That is why it is so important to read and study His Word each day. Even then we mess up! It seems safe to say you and I live in a dark and gloomy world, a fallen world, where many enemies are trying to destroy us and get us off this narrow way. They are trying to get us to leave our first love (Revelation 2: 4); “the devotion to Christ that often characterizes the new believer and is manifested in relationships with fellow Christians and the lost” (DJSB). The Bible provides a foundation which you and I can stand on in this dark world. Knowledge of the Bible provides us with directions on how to plan and respond to every situation we face in life.

 

The Bible is our guide on how to get back on the narrow way when we leave it, when we fall to temptation. We all do because we are not perfect; we are each a work in progress on the narrow way.

 

Scriptures light the way as we walk the narrow way; it is a bright light that removes the darkness of how you and I are to live our lives each day. The Word guides us away from those things that so easily tempt us and the Holy Spirit whispers a warning of not to go there, not to do or say that. The word will also warn us of danger ahead as we examine what is happening in the world and in our nation. It contains words of wisdom that helps us guard our hearts and words of encouragement each of us needs. It gives us words of wisdom and a godly lifestyle that the Lord desires us to live.

 

The Bible does not hide anything from us (except when Jesus will return!). It tells us the beginning and the end of all things. It tells us the good and bad of human behavior – even the failure of those He used in His Bible and in those He uses today. Each of us would be wise to put God’s Word into our heart and be committed to guard it. It is what guides us and keeps us on the narrow way to eternal life in God’s Kingdom.

 

From now on DJSB will be used to note information or quotes from the David Jeremiah Study Bible and LSSB will refer to information and quotes from the Life in the Spirit Study Bible

 

LEARNING DAILY

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

I have been writing about some characteristics those on the narrow way should be exhibiting in their lives. In the words Jesus Himself spoke He said we would face tribulation and trials, suffer persecution, must deny the kingdom of self and must be separated from living sinful lives. There are a few things we can add to the list.

 

In John 13: 34 Jesus said, “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you love one another.” The love that Jesus is speaking about is love that is sacrificial selfless, patient, and described in 1 Corinthians 13. This is characteristic of the narrow way because when you and I walk in this definition of love, it is easier to forgive others, especially those who have done wrong to you. One of the problems we have as humans is our difficulty to forgive. That most likely develops into a grudge and perhaps into a hatred for that person. Is that related to murder as Jesus described in the Sermon on the Mount? If it is, will that exclude us from the kingdom of heaven? It seems to me, those on the narrow way must be careful about this and be obedient to Jesus’ command to love one another regardless of the difficulty presented to doing so.

 

1 John 3:15 gives us another characteristic for those walking the narrow way to consider and must take as a warning. “Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.” I have written about this often in the past and you know what I believe God’s Word says about this. Let me be clear – if you love the world, you are not on the narrow way; you are on the broad way. To try to imitate anything in the world is to have a problem. If the world has any appeal to you, take a moment to evaluate your relationship to Jesus Christ. Too harsh? The consequences are not worth what the world has to offer.

 

If you are walking on the narrow ay, you are on your way to eternal life in God’s eternal kingdom! You have received a new birth; you are a new creation in Jesus Christ who no longer desires to sin. The problem is that even in our desire to walk perfectly on the narrow way, we are human and we still sin. Thinking through these characteristics was a little painful because I fail often in many of them. Here is my solution: I confess them to my Savior who is faith to forgive me, lifts me up and cleanses me from all unrighteousness (1 John 1:9). Does He understand you and me? Yes, He does and He desires us to confess what we do wrong right away. That is what keeps our relationship and fellowship with Him strong. You and I are not perfect and He does not expect us to be. We continue to strive, be diligent in our walk on the narrow way to be obedient to Him knowing that He continues to cleanse us until we enter heaven. Then we shall be complete, made perfect and in His image.

 

Walking as He commands on the narrow way will certainly be worth all the effort and the difficulty that comes with it when we see Jesus face to face!

 

LEARNING DAILY

 

 

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

The way to God’s kingdom is narrow; it is a difficult way and few are on it. According to the Sower there are those who get on it but fall away because it is too difficult to walk on it and they get consumed by the snares of living life. Perhaps the kingdom of self overwhelms them. Today we need to examine the difficulties of walking the narrow way so you and I will be prepared to face them when they come.

 

Jesus told His followers this in John 16:33b, “In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” There is no “if” in this statement. He was very clear that His followers would have various trials, conflicts, and even persecutions because of following Him. Being unwilling to endure these difficulties cause many to stay off the narrow way; remember Jesus said the broad way was an easy way.

 

 Luke 9:23 was referred to in yesterday’s blog; it needs to be referred to again in his context of facing trials. Jesus said to follow Him you and I must deny self. If you remember this really means denying ourselves of worldly stuff or sin. Too many do not want to do that. The reality is you and I cannot do everything we want to do or what the old self wants us to do and go to heaven. Self-denial means crucifying the flesh and following Jesus. We just cannot do what Jesus demands of us and fulfill the lusts of the flesh at the same time. The choice for each of us is daily. Who are you going to choose to serve? Remember the kingdom of self is daily trying to get us to follow it instead of choosing to follow Jesus.

 

2 Timothy 3:12 shares another difficulty those on the narrow way will face. “Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution.” Suffering persecution! That will cancel many people from this narrow way. In this country people do not know the kind of suffering many followers of Christ experience. But there is growing persecution in the United States for Christians. Our “loyalty to Jesus Christ, His truth, and His righteous standards involves a constant determination not to compromise our faith or give in to the flood of voices calling us to conform to the world and lay aside Scriptural truth” (LSSB). Here is something to consider: if you are trying to live by God’s standards you will be ridiculed and even deprived of opportunities offered to nonbelievers. Consider for a moment if you have experienced this. If you have, would you have done so if you were not a follower of Jesus Christ. I want to offer encouragement to you right now. Stay strong and be diligent to live out your faith; There are rewards in eternity in doing so; there is also a price to pay for not doing so. Let me add that Jesus suffered while He walked on this earth and we can expect nothing less.

 

There is another aspect that separates the narrow way from the broad way. In Hebrews 12:14, the writer states this, “Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord.” Holiness is being separated from sin and being set apart for God. It is to be close to Him, to be like Him, and to seek Him and His righteousness. You and I must be clear about holiness – it is Jesus Christ who gives us our righteousness, which comes when we are saved by Him; it is only because of this that we can be on the narrow way. That was the reason He came to this earth. Without holiness no one will be able to enter heaven. You cannot earn it. It comes only through our relationship with the King of kings and Lord of lords.

 

There are several more thoughts to share on this in the next page of the blog. It is my prayer that this encourages you today to choose to walk with Jesus as He desires!

 

From now on DJSB will be used to note information or quotes from the David Jeremiah Study Bible and LSSB will refer to information and quotes from the Life in the Spirit Study Bible

 

 

LEARNING DAILY

 

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

We examined why there are so many on the broad way; it is easier. It is not only easier but the pursuit of worldly successes and pleasures is a driving force for every person. People on the broad way want more and more of what they have. Recently, my wife gave me an old story with the theme “if I only had ____, then I would be happy”. But when the _____ was gained, there was something newer and better that came along and “if I only had ____, then I would be happy” became the thought again. It just did not end. There is also the belief that the narrow way is boring and unable to be satisfying for people. That is far from being reality.

In the last page of the blog, we examined the only way to get on to the narrow way. It is only through the narrow gate which is Jesus Christ and accepting His offer of salvation. When His offer of salvation is accepted and applied to your life, the walk on the narrow way begins. What does that mean?  James 1:22 describes the walk as being a doer of the Word and not just hearer of it. Hebrews 10:7 describes this walk as being wholeheartedly obedient that says and does “Your will, O God”. That means we “that you put off, concerning your former conduct (the old self), the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts and be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and you put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness” Ephesians 4:22-24). The choice to reject the former way of life and its corruption (before accepting Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord) is a daily choice to be made. Each of us make the choice to participate in the process of putting off or dying to self; the outcome of doing so is ultimately up to God because he is the One who transforms us. We participate in this by reading and studying His Word, daily prayer, worshipping Him, doing our best to be obedient, and praying for forgiveness when we fail.

It is a narrow way because few choose to walk on it. Yes, you must give up stuff! But think for a moment what that stuff is – it is sin. Yes, giving up that which has controlled us for so long can cause us some hardships, perhaps some suffering, but let me encourage you by saying walking with Jesus is worth every difficult moment of giving something up.

There is freedom by walking the narrow way. You might be wondering how. There is freedom from guilt and shame that often comes with the lifestyle of walking on the broad way. I do not have to explain this because each of you know what I am writing. Throughout my working time, I have dealt with both adults and students who were guilty of bad behavior. Some were genuinely sorry for their actions; many were just sorry they got caught. It was easier to deal with those who were genuine about being caught because behavior could be dealt with. There was a freedom brought to them that they no longer had to continue doing what they were doing. There is freedom from sin given to us as we walk on the narrow way. Jesus has forgiven our sins – past, present, and future. Again, that is not a license to do and say what we want. We are no longer bound to commit sin when tempted.

This would be a good time to thank Jesus for your salvation. It would be a great time to be thankful that you are one of the “few” on the narrow way and to ask for the Holy Spirit to strengthen your will to walk as Jesus wants you to walk with Him today. Tomorrow would be a good day to do this as well! You will be happy you did!

 

LEARNING DAILY

 

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

 

You and I need to get something out of the way from the start. I want more than anything else to be walking on the narrow way! I acknowledge Jesus saying it is a difficult way! But to dwell on the difficulty and not walk in faith in Jesus and trust that He is with me as I walk on the narrow way to eternal life in His Kingdom can become an excuse (Okay, I might have used it before – several times) to look back at all those things done when the kingdom of self was in control. If you are struggling while you walk on the narrow way, ask yourself what is causing the struggle and take it to Jesus, the One who will help you through the struggle. Take it from one who has had to do that many times and know He is more than willing to take your burden.

We need to break this statement down before we really begin to understand it. The narrow gate, as we have written, is Jesus Christ. He came to seek and save the lost; unfortunately, not all the lost want to be found and saved. That is the reality and that is what He meant by the broad way with many on it. Jesus began this with a caution about where the lost are headed. The gate is narrow; Jesus, as the gate, is the only way to reach His kingdom. The Father’s offer of salvation through His Son Jesus must be accepted before one is allowed on this way. Let me say it another way. The only way to escape your sinful life, with you on the throne in the kingdom of self, and to escape punishment for your sin is to enter in through the narrow gate. There will be far too many who will not do this. To enter the narrow gate, one must make a response to Jesus Christ as their Lord; it is required.

Here is something else to consider. You and I were created to bring glory to God and to worship Him. Entering the narrow gate requires that we continuously put down the kingdom of self which includes pride and all things that have fed self. Jesus said, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me” (Luke 9:23). That means letting go of our own agendas in order to follow and obey God’s agenda. By voluntarily taking up our cross and following Jesus, you and I are able to die to self. This comes from the practice of criminals subject to crucifixion by the Romans having to carry their own cross to their place of death. Do you see and understand the connection?

To be able to do all of this, you and I must choose to move out of the mainstream or following the crowd and doing what we want to do. It is a must to do so. Does that mean that you must give up everything you want or all your plans? Maybe, but only if they are not in line with walking on the narrow way. God has created you, knows you intimately, and will use you where ever you are. He has led you to a certain place to be used by Him. But He wants the glory for who you are and what you do. He desires that you diligently chase after Him and not after possessions and achievements. Each of us must walk in the power of the Holy Spirit and not by our own power and strength. None of us are too old nor too young to walk in the power of the Holy Spirit and live the way God desires and requires of us!

That is a lot to consider today. Do not just read this and just walk away. Consider it and apply it to your life. The caution or warning that Jesus gave is very real. We must not give up when the struggles grow stronger, and they will, as the end of times grow closer. We must not give in when the kingdom of self tries to regain its place in us. Stay strong in the Lord and be diligent about your relationship to Him.

 

LEARNING DAILY

 

Matthew 7:13-14, “Enter the narrow gate; for wide is the way 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 on it.” Jesus

These verses have been at the center of the blog for some time now – primarily the narrow way. I have spent some time in the last pages of the blog describing those walking on the broad way; I realize that may not be the most encouraging thought as they are headed to destruction. The intent has been to make us aware of the deception these people are under and their belief that all is well in their life because they believe they are headed to heaven.

I want to remind you that there are many choices offered in the Bible. For example, there are two kingdoms – the kingdom of self and the kingdom of God. There is a choice between rejecting Jesus Christ as Lord or accepting the salvation He offers. There is an easy and broad way to walk this life on earth or a narrow way that is more difficult. There is eternal life for all people; the choice is to be in hell or heaven. That is what all this is about!

Let me use today as a lead in for writing about the narrow way. There is so much the Bible tells us about those walking on the broad way that I had thought I would write about. I may do that at another time.

Have you noticed the struggle for your soul? There is a battle, a spiritual battle, happening over you. There is a side led by the devil and your own self-centeredness (the kingdom of self) that is doing everything possible to keep you on or get you back on the broad way. Their opponents are led by the Holy Spirit to get you on or keep you on the narrow way. I have often thought of this battle as a tug-o-war with each of us being the rope being tugged on by each side. Can you visualize it? Being on the narrow way, you understand the struggle because the kingdom of self does not want to give up its control over your life. Remember it had control over you until you gave your life to Jesus Christ – it wants its kingdom back. The self’s attempt to get the kingdom back in its control is an everyday occurrence and that is part of the reason walking on the narrow way is difficult.

I am going to tell you that the struggle is real, and it never seems to stop! Preachers want to get people saved and I am all for that. They may even give the impression that giving your life to Jesus Christ not only forgives your sins, but life is all good from that point on. Not so! Self does not like it. Your old friends don’t like it. And the devil does not like it. The war for your soul begins and only continues. If you have walked with Jesus on the narrow way for long, you know what I mean. If you wonder why all the things that caused you to sin just seem to tempt you all the time, it is because the kingdom of self and the devil want you back. But the Holy Spirit in you will not allow that and the tug-o-war begins and continues every day.

In the next pages of the blog, we will look at the narrow way. I can’t wait to study more about it!

 LEARNING DAILY

 

Matthew 7:13, “Enter the narrow gate; for wide is the way and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it.   Jesus

 

It has already been written that the wide gate is easy to go through. The reality of this is people are already on the broad way if they do not give their life to the salvation offered through Jesus Christ. This way is attractive and draws people to it. Jesus said that the broad way is an easy way that is not difficult to walk or travel on. However, it is a way that leads to destruction; it is eternal life in spent in torment and pain in the pit of hell. This torment is knowledge of who God is and an eternity spent separated from Him. The terrifying part of this is “many are on it”.

 

To understand this one must consider that hell does exist. If hell exists, one must further consider that the devil, Lucifer, Satan exists as well. One must also consider that judgment will come to all of those who walk this broad way.

 

The debate over the existence of hell has been around for as long as Lucifer was removed from heaven. Isaiah 14:12-14 tells us Lucifer was removed was removed from heaven because he desired to “exalt his throne above the stars of God”. Earth came under the devil’s influence and control (but limited by God); since that time, he has tempted and tried to destroy all God has created. He even tried to tempt Jesus Christ to bow to and follow him. The devil is not the red figured cartoon figure with a pitchfork we see in the cartoons. No, he is so much more than that. John 10:10 calls him, “a thief who comes to steal, to kill, and to destroy” people’s lives, health, families, purpose in life, and everything good God has created. He is the robber who “does not enter the sheepfold by the door but climbs up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber” (John 10:1).

             

A thief comes to steal the property of another person. Matthew 24 warns us that in the last days, there will be many false teachers who have come to deceive many, even God’s people. They will try to deceive people from entering the narrow gate. It must be acknowledged that thus has happened since the time the serpent deceived Adam and Eve. The deception came in the form of creating doubt over what God has said and making false accusations and false promises. Nothing has changed regarding the tactics of Satan. False teachers have invaded every aspect of society, promising an easy way to eternity. Today, such teachers, used by Satan, do not come in through the right door or with God’s divine commission; they come with deception and take away many who desire an easy way into “heaven”.

 

What does the broad way look like? Many on the broad way are good people, many are just evil, and many are deceived or blinded to Jesus Christ as “the Way, the Truth, and the Life” (John 14:6). They desire to walk into heaven without giving up any of their old way of life. The Sower of the seed sowed seeds that were gobbled up by the birds. Some who heard the gospel became too busy living the life they desired; and others had the gospel choked out by desiring earthly pleasures and earthly gain; the process became more important than living in and walking the way God desires His people to live.

 

Why does the Bible give us so much information about life on the broad way that leads to destruction? Why am I spending time trying to help you understand the broad way? It is to help us all understand that we do not want to walk on it nor want anyone else to do so. The narrow way is the only way to eternal life in God’s kingdom

 

LEARNING DAILY

 

Matthew 13:18-23, “Listen then to what the parable of the Sower means: When anyone hears the message about the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in their heart. This is the seed along the path. The seed falling on rocky ground refers to someone who hears the Word and at once receives it with joy. But since they have no root, they last only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, they quickly fall away. The seed falling among the thorns refers to someone who hears the Word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke the word, making it unfruitful. But the seed falling on good soil refers to someone who hears the Word and understands it. This is the one who produces a crop, yielding a hundred, sixty, and thirty times what was sown.”  Jesus

When He was alone with His disciples, they asked Him to explain what this parable meant. He explains to them that He is the Sower and that His work was to proclaim the Good News of the kingdom of God. The explanation focuses on what happens when the seed – the Word of God – is proclaimed. For all who hear the Word of God today, this still applies. For the seed that falls on the path refers to those who hear but do not understand nor desires to understand the gospel message. There are those people who just do not want to hear about the salvation Jesus has to offer and do not believe Jesus to be the Son of God. The result is still the same as the birds come and eat or snatch the seeds away. The bird represents the devil and his followers who keep people from hearing the gospel message by deception and lies. By doing this the words of the gospel do not reach the hearts of the hearers. The heart is the center of one’s willingness to receive and make a commitment to follow Jesus. For those represented in this soil, the willingness to be deceived by the devil and the pleasures of the world is greater than the desire to believe and follow Jesus.

The stony soil represents those who hear the words of Jesus and seem to be converted by them. But because persecution or some trouble comes, the person stumbles. The trouble spoken of comes because of the Word itself. This person soon finds himself falling away, not saved to begin with; this person experienced a shallow and emotional experience.

The third soil is full of thorns. It depicts the person who seems to have received the Word of God; however, he has a heart that is full of the desire for riches, for pleasures, and has lusts for the things of the world. These things occupy his time and take his attention away from the Word of God. Because he spends so much time on worldly pursuits, he has no time for the Word and he eventually pursues his worldly interests instead of pursuing a walk with God.

The last soil is the soil that produces a harvest. This is found in the person who hears the Word, receives it into his heart, and then allows the Word to change his life. His desire for worldly pleasures, worldly treasures, recognition and awards, and all things that were problems with the other soils are replaced with a true desire to follow the Lord and His Word. The results of the good soil are seen in the fruit produced and the harvest. Jesus indicates that the harvest will exceed anything His followers had experienced. Fruit will be produced as a result of true repentance and the desire to follow the Word of God.

Do you have a better understanding of why there are so many on the broad way and so few are on the narrow way? Do not be deceived. Do not allow the philosophies of the world cause you to be led away from following Jesus and the Word of God. Remember that anything that removes God from the center of your belief and tries to get you to continually pursue worldly beliefs is not of God! You and I must stand firm on His Word continually!

 

LEARNING DAILY

 

Matthew 7:13-14, “Enter the narrow gate; for wide is the way and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few on it.” Jesus

These two verses have been the focus of the blog. I want to spend some time on these two verses, explaining the life of those on each way and where each way leads. At this point a person has come to make a decision of following Jesus or not and that determines which way a person walks.  You have seen that the Lord Jesus Christ offers a choice between the kingdom of self and the kingdom of God – two kingdoms. It is important to know that Jesus offers to those who refuse Him the choice of His kingdom many times in their lives. I want to spend time examining the way each person chooses.

Jesus spoke these words when speaking to His disciples in what is known as the Sermon on the Mount. Jesus is telling His listeners that each person is presented a choice to enter through two gates and walk on two ways to get to an [eternal] destination. One gate is wide and one gate is narrow. One way to the destination is wide and one way is narrow. One way offers an easy way and many are on it; it is a way that leads all who are on it to destruction. The other choice is a narrow way and few choose to be on it; it is a difficult way that leads to life.

Consider the wide gate. It can be easily seen because it offers an attractive way to get to its destination, no doubt offering what most people want. According to Jesus this way leads to destruction; it leads to hell and eternal punishment. If this gate had a sign above it that said the gate led to hell, why would anyone choose it? Of course, there are those who believe there is no hell and there are others who would just follow the devil there. The question is how many would do that? Jesus also stated there are many on it. Think clearly on this and consider that the sign above the wide gate says heaven and the people on this way actually believe that they are on their way to heaven.

With the premise that many people would not willingly choose to spend in eternity in hell, the question of why they are on the broad way or wide road needs to be answered. The only possible answer is they are deceived. They have chosen to follow men and women who claim to be God or they are misrepresenting the Word of God; in Matthew 7:15, Jesus called these people false prophets. These false prophets may actually be sincere in their beliefs and who follow them have no idea what they are teaching is false. Jesus gave this warning, “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly are ravenous wolves” (Matthew 7:15). False prophets give false promises, false doctrine, and mislead people into believing they can live any way they want. All is required is to be a good person, go to church on Sunday, and give their tithes.

Jesus went on to say in Matthew 7:21-22, “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord’ shall enter into 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 You name?’” Yes, those are great credentials and they would impress many who meet them. They were preaching, teaching, healing, casting out demons and performing many wonders that man would consider great works! But look at the evaluation of Jesus in verse 23, “And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me you who practice lawlessness.’”

This needs to be broken down so there is no misunderstanding. False prophets are in the church today as they were in the days of the New Testament. They are concerned about impressing man more than God and His Word. They are more concerned about their own desires and glory than with God’s honor and glory. They do not care about sound doctrine but offer salvation that comes from entering the through the broad gate and walking the easy life offered by the broad way. Jesus is speaking a warning that not everyone who professes to be a Christian is a true Believer. The warning is that not all writers, singers, ministers, teachers, evangelist, and deacons are who they profess to be. Jesus said they may “outwardly appear to be righteous to man but inwardly you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness” (Matthew 23:28).

This will be continued tomorrow. Be encouraged! “You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.” (1 John 4:4)

 

LEARNING DAILY

 

John 14:6, Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.”

 

The setting must be explained to fully understand what Jesus meant by this. In John 3:16 Jesus washed the feet of His disciples, identified the one who would betray Him to the authorities in order for them to arrest Him, and told them He was going where they could not follow Him. They did not understand any of this and finally Peter asks why he could not follow Him to where He was going (John 13:37). No doubt they were confused. John 14 is to encourage them (and us); He tells them, “Do not let your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me.” He continues, ‘In My Father’s house there are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.” Jesus has told them before about his death and resurrection; this is confusing to them and they do not understand what He is telling them. Thomas finally said to Him, “Lord, we do not know where You are going and how can we know the way:” Jesus replied, I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life.”

Consider the confusion held by the disciples. They wanted to know where this walk of faith – following Jesus – was going to take them. They wanted to go where He was going. Anyone, today, going on a trip wants to know the roads they need to take to get to their destination. The possible routes are examined, and the best route is determined. Thomas was concerned about where Jesus was going and how to get there. I do not want any of us to be confused!

By saying, “I am”, Jesus was claiming He is the True God. When God spoke to Moses as a burning bush (read Exodus 3), He instructed him to go to Egypt and instruct Pharoah to “let His people go”. When Moses asked who he should say sent him, God told him to say “I AM” sent me. When Jesus began with “I am” He was speaking with power and authority claiming to be God and the only way for anyone to get to where He was going was through Him, by believing in Him. When He called each of them to be His disciples He said, “Follow Me”. He did not explain what it meant to follow Him; they got up, left all behind and followed Him. Here Jesus was telling them, that following Him is not a defined route but is a walk in faith, that He is the Way. “The Way” is a deep belief stating He will lead His disciples, His followers, where they need to walk as they walk on a narrow way that leads to where He was going. There are those who believe there are many ways to where Jesus went – the kingdom of heaven. Jesus was not stating He is one of many ways; He was stating He is the Only Way.

There are also many who profess to have the truth in their beliefs. Jesus makes another claim in John 14:6. He said He embodied all things that are true. The significance of this statement is He has provided in Himself all that is necessary for eternal life. No one is able to earn their way into God’s kingdom by being good, not by doing good. Jesus could claim to be the Truth because there was nothing false in Him. He is the embodiment of Truth! Anyone who follows Him must compare what is seen, heard, or read against the words of Jesus, the Truth. Because of this He could testify and teach Truth. Anything that removes God from the center of all things and tries to get people to pursue worldly philosophies is false.

Jesus also said He was “The Life”. He is the only Way to eternal life. He is the source of life for all who believe in Him. He enables us to walk on the narrow way that leads us to God’s kingdom. As a Believer walks through this life, their walk is centered around their life that comes. The closer one walks with Jesus in this life, the meaning, the truth of what He said about eternal life becomes clearer. One begins to understand that trying to gain the things that do not last (money, prestige, achievements recognition) is not important. Rather, one comes to understand that eternal life is in the present and not something that begins when one steps into the kingdom of God. 

Jesus makes it very clear that “there is no other way to come to the Father except through Him”. The way to the kingdom of God is an exclusive way; it is only through the Good Shepherd. He has given all who believe in Him a better way to live their lives – in Him. It is a great reminder to live for what matters, for what will impact their eternity.

 

LEARNING DAILY

 

John 10:9, “I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and go in and find pasture.

 

Jesus is the way (the toll) for each person to get on the narrow way to eternity in God’s kingdom. When Jesus said He was the gate or door to enter the sheep pen, He meant He was the only way to enter the safety of God’s eternal kingdom. He is the only way to be “saved” or to enter into eternal life in His kingdom; the only way to be delivered from sin, guilt, and condemnation. Other religions base their salvation on being a good person and by doing good works. Jesus made it clear good works were not enough to pay the toll. Every person must declare they are sinful and can do nothing to earn what He has to offer through His death on a cross and through His resurrection. I know if you have been reading this blog for long, you already know and understand that there is no opportunity to know the abundant life Jesus Christ offers apart from Him and the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit.

 

John 10:11 continues with Jesus Christ declaring He is the Good Shepherd. “I am the Good Shepherd. The Good shepherd gives His life for the sheep.” Psalm 23:1 declares, The Lord is my Shepherd.” Isaiah 40:11 declares, He will feed His flock like a shepherd; He will gather the lambs with His arms, and carry them in His bosom, and gently leads those who are young.” Ezekiel 34:23 speaks of God sending the Messiah to shepherd His people. “I will establish one shepherd over them and He shall feed them – my servant David. He shall lead them and be their shepherd.”  “My servant David” refers to the Messiah, who will come through the lineage of David to restore Israel. The Messiah, Jesus Christ, would shepherd God’s people as a righteous priest and king. He would lay down His life for the sheep, for all who would believe in Him.

The Good Shepherd, the Messiah, had to lay down His life so “whosoever would believe in Him should not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:15). John 3:16 affirms this, “For God so loved the world that He sent His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life.” No person can be good enough or do enough to earn their way into heaven. Sin entered the world through Adam; the result is a sin nature born into every person that must be cleansed. The only way sin can be cleansed was for the Son of God to be sacrificed through a sin offering. He had to take your place, my place, and the place of all who would believe in Him on a cross.  It took the spotless, sinless Lamb of God to hang on a cross to provide the only sacrifice God the Father would accept. No one else, nothing else was pure enough to provide the necessary sacrifice for our sin. Jesus Christ was the Good Shepherd because He was willing to die for the sheep -- you, me, and all who would believe.

I know you know all of this. It is only a reminder for none of us to take for granted or become complacent about the saving grace of Jesus Christ and our walk with Him must be daily. I sincerely believe His return is soon; we must be standing firm in faith, looking and listening for His call to join Him in the clouds or if He takes us home first. Eternal life is not something we look forward to; no, it begins the moment one accepts Jesus Christ as their Savior. We need to live like it.

 

LEARNING DAILY

 

John 10:1, Most assuredly, I say to you, he who does not enter the sheepfold by the door, but climbs up some other way, is a thief and a robber.

 

When I was a kid, we took family vacations in the summer. More often than not, we would find ourselves trying to decide which road to take. Which road would be the best way, the safest way? The wrong road was usually a “shortcut” to get to our destination. There were times we had just missed the way we were to go which met a course correction. I seem to remember we took the wrong way and were lost quite often. I am not sure if there is an inherited trait here, but this might have been passed on to the son. The point is, there comes a time when each of us must choose the direction we are going to take. To my grandchildren I say – pay attention!

 

Here is the focus of writing about the kingdom of self. If the day has not come for you to choose your direction, it will. Each person must decide whether to continue on the road offered by the kingdom of self or to go on a different road, a different way. The kingdom of self is the road where one continues straight ahead; it is an easier road where one enjoys reading all the billboards that tell you to enjoy all the pleasures offered by self-indulgence, greed, your position in life, self-centeredness, immorality, and evil.

 

But eventually anther road, another way – “a fork in the road”, is offered. But it demands self-control and that one give up the unrighteous lifestyle and gratifying the kingdom of self. It is a different road that has a gate across it like a toll road that is blocked with a bar until a fee is paid. Once the fee is paid the bar is raised and those who have paid the fee continue on. For our knowledge here, that fee has already been paid for us by Jesus Christ who took your place and my place on a cross. The choice is to accept or reject that He has paid our fee. Accepting what He did and giving Him our life raises the bar and we continue on a narrower road, a more difficult way to eternal life in His kingdom. Rejecting what He did keeps one on the way of the kingdom of self.

 

Jesus, the Messiah, related this gate to a door of a sheep pen where the sheep are gathered together at night (when possible) to be protected by the shepherd. Go back and read the verse from John above. John is telling all who read this that to enter the pen as one of the shepherd’s sheep the person must enter through the gate he opens for them. There is no other correct way to get into the pen. But John writes some get into the pen some other way without accepting the fee already paid. John called them a thief or a robber. They will eventually be seen for who they are and be removed.

 

When one comes to this “fork in the road” there is a decision to be made. The decision must be made between two gates and the roads beyond the gates.  The road for those more concerned with the kingdom of self, continue on the road they are on – the road of sin, guilt, shame, and separation from God. The other choice is to go through the gate (Jesus Christ) that leads to a life delivered from sin, guilt, shame and separation from God. Each person must choose wisely when facing this “fork” because their eternity depends on it.

More in the next page of the blog.

 

 LEARNING DAILY

 

Genesis 6:5, Then the Lord saw the wickedness of men was great in the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.

 

Are you still with me after the last page of the blog? Guess what? If the kingdom of self is not put down in children, it continues to grow stronger. But what are the parents to do?  

 

We have all seen children create a scene in a grocery store or in another retail establishment in order to get what they want. Instead of dealing with the child’s tantrum and being viewed as an abusive or terrible parent, the parent gets what he/she has thrown the tantrum over. The successful effort achieved by crying, shouting, or the tantrum of choice solidifies, sharpens, and perfects the kingdom of self. For the parent doing nothing can be a problem. On the other hand, society has taken a dim view of correcting the child for any reason.

 

If the child is not corrected, there will be more difficulty bringing the self under control in the future. Saying no, discipling bad behavior is necessary for the development of the child and for their well-being. The Bible gives instruction and guidance to parents. Proverbs 13:24 states, “he who spares the rod hates his son. But he who loves his son disciplines him properly.” Proverbs 22:6, speaks of the value of discipline, “Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old, he will not depart from it.”  Proper discipline is both necessary and good in the development of a child in order to break up the kingdom of self. Correcting the child when correction is needed is to help the child become less self-centered and more attentive to the wants and needs of others. The discipline must be appropriate and, may I add, done promptly in order to be effective. To teach the child what is good and bad behavior is important and necessary to the kingdom of self to diminish in the life of the child.

 

Here is why this is important to correct early. The kingdom of self will grow stronger as the child enters into adolescence, the teen years and in the adult years. The stronger the self gets the more difficult to put down. It does not take very long for the child to begin to demand independence; the child who brings the strong self-centeredness in the next years is going to be very concerned with keeping self in control and satisfied. The result becomes an ever-increasing resentment when self is not satisfied and rebellion or “acting out” may occur when discipline is attempted. The “acting out” may take a lot of different directions. Those entering these years with a well-developed kingdom of self will face the temptations of the world by giving into everything that satisfies self. Feeding the self is easy because the world offers so many opportunities do so and without the discipline to say no to self the desire to do what makes the ‘self’ feel good becomes a dominate desire. Television, Hollywood, the internet, a poor moral environment makes fulfilling the desires of self quite easy. Commercials are very successful creating a formula for what the perfect body is, the importance of creating wealth, and the products we use. Add in social media and the kingdom of self becomes firmly fixed as the controlling force of one’s life. Far too many individuals have been allowed to saturate their daily routine with the things that feed the kingdom of self.

 

Teens who have not learned to control the kingdom of ‘self’ become adults who are unable to do so as well. Without being able to control the kingdom of ‘self’, these adults continue to find ways to indulge the self. Their thoughts, desires, and lives are motivated by being able to gratify themselves with all the pleasures and things the world has to offer. Those who have not been able to control the kingdom of ‘self’ do not have any absolutes, no boundaries, no rules to follow except what feeds the kingdom of self. Too often this is at the expense of others.

 

You know what is happening around the country. Crime is increasing, violent crime is increasing at astonishing rates. Murder in the city I live in is up by 80% (I think that is the figure I heard yesterday.). The drugs coming in through our borders – well, the estimate for how many the fentanyl laced drugs will kill is astounding. Listen to what is being said and you might see that everything is “me” “me” “me”! The voices are certainly shouting out the kingdom of self”!

 

LEARNING DAILY

 

Genesis 6:5, Then the Lord saw the wickedness of men was great in the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.

 

I have centered the blog around Matthew 7:13-14 for a long time. It deals with a broad way and a narrow way. I have been doing some personal writing about this theme to try to understand it as fully as I can to encourage myself and all who read the blog. I have been trying to understand why there are so many on the broad way which Jesus said was easy and so few on the narrow way which He said would be difficult. Perhaps, the answer lies in that statement. I hope you are encouraged by some thoughts I have gained.

 

In the late 1970s I read a book by Earl Jabay titled The Kingdom of Self. I do not have the book anymore but I would like to give you a snapshot of what it was about. Remembering it has given me tremendous insight to what you and I face as we walk on the narrow way. Jabay writes that from the moment we are born a kingdom is formed with each of us being the king of the kingdom. This kingdom of self continues to develop and control our actions until each of us makes a decision that the “self” can no longer control how we think, talk, and act. Let me explain how self comes to dominate each of us.

 

According to Jabay the kingdom of self begins when we are born. A baby soon learns that crying alerts their parents to a need he/she has. Crying tells the parents that a diaper needs to be changed, the baby needs to be fed, there is a possible medical need, or the baby just wants attention. A cry is heard, and someone jumps to attend whatever the need is. Of course, this is God’s way for the needs of the baby to be met; the baby has no other way of making their need or wants known. However, it does not take too long before the baby begins to know this process and the kingdom of self is being established.

 

As the baby learns to walk and begins to talk, the kingdom of self develops as the child is allowed to do whatever he/she wants to do. The child has learned that crying and demanding their way (or their “wants”) has led to their “self” being satisfied. As a child learns to communicate by speaking, the need or want can be made known. “I’m hungry.” “I do not feel well today.” “I want this!” “I’m not going to do that.” (Not always spoken!) “No!” There is a shift from need to want. The thought now becomes I’m going to cry and raise a fuss until I get what I want wherever it happens to be. The kingdom of self becomes more entrenched in the child when every demand is given into. It is a behavior and thought process that will continue as the child grows into adolescence, teens and their adult life if not corrected.

 

Let me give a quick example. We have all experienced this or seen it as we shop. Retailers are very good at placing child friendly items at the eye level of children. These are the items children see advertised on television. Those sugar filled cereals are placed on the shelves so children can easily see and grab them. The struggle, the test of wills begins when the adult tries to put them back on the shelf. Oh, wait until you get to the checkouts and find all the things and all the goodies that children (adults too) want.

Stay with me. We will look further at this and how it affects us as we get older. It is important to understand that there are really two kingdoms to choose from – the kingdom of self or the kingdom of God. Children might not understand this choice, so it is important for parents to guide them toward the kingdom of God. The difficulty arises when there are no godly parents to guide the children.

 

LEARNING DAILY

 

John 11:25-26, Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?”

 

Saturday, we attended the celebration of a friend who had gone to heaven to be with her Savior and Lord. It was good to be with friends to celebrate a life devoted to serving and living the faith she professes. Yesterday, in church, the pastor told us his father had gone to sleep the previously Sunday and woke up in heaven.

 

 I have had my attention drawn back to heaven and to what happens to us when we die. I feel sad for those who believe they die and that’s the end. There is no hope and they live like they want to every day; they will wake up to find there is an eternal life without God and they will understand that hell is a very real place. The same can be said of those who choose to reject Jesus Christ as their Savior.

 

“For the person who believes in Jesus, physical death is not a tragic end. It is instead the gateway to abundant eternal life and fellowship with God” (LSSB). John’s writing tells us that as Believers our life does not end at death but we are resurrected to be eternally with Him. Actually, he is telling us that eternal life does not begin when we die – it begins when each of us asks Jesus Christ to forgive us of our sins and give our life to Him. Eternal life is not some future gift to us.

 

The words of Jesus should encourage each of us. When He said the words, “shall never die”, He meant that resurrected Believers will never cease to exist. In heaven we get new bodies that will be immortal and ones that can never die or deteriorate.  The LSSB is encouraging as it states, “bodies that are perfectly designed by God for the greater life to come hereafter.”

 

I found an article by Ray Stedman where he asked, “How does one die, and yet not die?” What did he mean? He went on to answer that Jesus is the total master of death in all its forms. When He said, “I am the resurrection and the life”, He meant death is no longer death in the presence of Jesus. The Apostle Paul wrote that death has lost its sting because of Jesus; death has lost its terror in the hands of Jesus. Stedman goes on to say Jesus points out that the answer to death is not the resurrection, but Jesus. Jesus is the answer to death! No one can hope to escape death unless He is related to the conqueror of death, Jesus Christ.

 

The question before each person is; do you believe the statement of Jesus above? It is by faith in the promise of Jesus that you and I stand together believing that Jesus defeated death. It is by faith in Him that helps us to overcome our fear of death. I am sure that my friend Evelyn, the pastor’s father and many others we know who have gone before us into heaven would share with us the incomparable riches of being with Jesus in His kingdom for eternity.

 

From now on DJSB will be used to note information or quotes from the David Jeremiah Study Bible and LSSB will refer to information and quotes from the Life in the Spirit Study Bible