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!