Good morning,
Through the narrow gate.
Jesus has always known the challenges that we would face when living in a world that had been compromised by a wicked enemy of God. Satan did his best to get God’s angels to turn against their creator, and when that failed, he was allowed to tempt Adam and Eve, who were God’s creation here on earth. God really does love those who are given life here on earth, but if we are ever going to be a part of God’s family in eternity we must be willing to trust and obey God’s Son, Jesus, who willingly died and rose again to pay the price for our sins. Jesus told his disciples, “You can enter God's Kingdom only through the narrow gate. The highway to hell is broad, and its gate is wide for the many who choose the easy way.(Mat.7:13) The narrow gate that Jesus was telling us about is based on our willingness to surrender our sinful rights to living our own way to a life based on trust and obedience to Jesus as our Savior and Lord. Right from the beginning of time Satan has used false prophets and false teachers and false apostles to lead us away from living by faith in God to living an easy life that we can handle ourselves. Paul tells us that, Even Satan can disguise himself as an angel of light.(Col.11:14) Satan is allowed to use his followers with his hate filled wisdom to pretend to be godly and lead seekers away from God’s challenging obedience.
A good example of this is found in reading the Bible as a source of God’s wonderful promises without also reading and believing the faith based response that comes with that. Many people know John 3:16 and 17 and love that promise without reading the verses around them. If you reach verse 18 we are told, “There is no judgment awaiting those who trust him. But those who do not trust him have already been judged for not believing in the only Son of God. He goes on to tell us about those who will not trust him, They hate the light because they want to sin in the darkness. They stay away from the light for fear their sins will be exposed and they will be punished.(v.20) False pastors and teachers just read the “good stuff” and don’t tell us the rest of the story. Other false teachers and preachers will tell their people twisted truth by telling them that the real meaning of what is written is different than what you would normally think of. Because we are sinful by nature, they will use methods that turn us away from God’s clear teaching from other parts of the Bible. Also Many will follow their evil teaching and shameful immorality. And because of them, Christ and his true way will be slandered.(2Pet.2:2) Some of the false leaders insist that godliness is based on always keeping the same kind of services or music or their old Bible translations while other leaders will do insist that the only way to reach the lost is to do everything in step with the latest cultural standards. Peter also reminds us of two very important truths. First he encourages us by saying, So you see, the Lord knows how to rescue godly people from their trials, even while punishing the wicked right up until the day of judgment.(2Pet.2:9) Then he tells us that God is especially hard on those who follow their own evil, lustful desires and who despise authority. These people are proud and arrogant, daring even to scoff at the glorious ones without so much as trembling.(v.10) Then Paul gives us an important response to these kinds of people when he responded, we refused to listen to them for a single moment. We wanted to preserve the truth of the Good News for you.(Gal.2:5) Dear Lord, please help us to live our lives by the power of your Holy Spirit and not the foolish “easy ways” of our sworn Enemy.
Matthew 7:13 “You can enter God's Kingdom only through the narrow gate. The highway to hell is broad, and its gate is wide for the many who choose the easy way.
Roy Wisner
