THE NARROW WAY

The narrow way


How many people take the person of Jesus Christ serious in their lives and follow Him? “For God so love the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” John 3:16. This is the most quoted verse in the Bible.

Most people read this and have no idea what it really means to be saved through Jesus Christ. One thing I can say is if I am talking to someone about the Lord he or she will usually acknowledge that they are a child of God. This is very hard to keep to yourself. If they just kind of look at me or remain silent more than likely there is no personal relationship with Jesus Christ.

Most people will read other books which are not inspired by God. Why? The Word of God is truth and Holy Spirit inspired; however, other books are not what they claim to be in most cases and I sort of get the impression that people either want to believe a lie or they just don't care.

I know God desires me to "Care" about His Son Jesus Christ and not only understand the principles of the Bible but apply them to my life. I empathized this word because most people have God so low on their priority list that books like these come very natural or common for them to read.

Many people read other books to the exclusion of the Bible. By the way this could also mean being obsessed with sports, movies or some other worldly pursuit that has nothing to do with Jesus Christ. These people tend to have sins in their life and are very relaxed in this lifestyle.

All religions besides true Christianity have a common factor because most of them are rituals of some sort or works. This has absolutely nothing to do with what the Bible teaches about true obedience to God. I also noticed many of these same people feel they have the freedom to do their own thing without any thought for Jesus Christ.

I see self will as opposed to the will of God in their life. A trained eye will be able to see a bent desire in the heart to follow and serve the Lord Jesus Christ. It is very rare in a secular setting to see a person love the Lord Jesus Christ with all their heart.

The average person likes this because for the most part they do not want God telling them what to do in their life. Most people don't want to be responsible or accountable for anything but they go through the motions in life because they are intelligent enough to understand this is not very realistic.

This is a big reason why they shy away from the Bible because they do not want God to change their life with His principles in the Word of God. They are happy only through circumstances which can change in a matter of minutes. They will never have true peace in their life.

There is hope for these people but they need to realize that ... “Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it." Matthew 7:14. If you are in a marriage and did your own thing at the exclusion of your partner do you love him or her? The answer would have to be obvious.

For all practical purposes most people just live their life without God. They commit sins everyday in life just like a dedicated Christian does but the latter struggles with his or her transgressions against God. The first type of person does not care because they are living their life without Jesus Christ.

There is no relationship with God so of course they are going to pursue worldly things as opposed to the precepts in the Bible. If they did this the Person of Jesus Christ would be revealed to them but so would the darkness in their life. As a result they would have to repent to God for their sins.

This is why we can talk to a person like this and get on the subject of eternity and he or she will not care. Deep down there is an internal gospel in them and the individual would have to be submissive before God and allow Jesus Christ to change them on the inside which will manifest on the outside. Why do that when you can do your own thing?

Some people do not believe in the deity of Jesus Christ and they only accept the Father as being God and Jesus just being a man that walked on the earth approximately 2000 years ago. "Jesus saith unto him, have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? he that hath seen me hath seen the Father, and how sayest thou then, Show us the Father?” John 14:9.

“I and my Father are one.” John 10:30. The Bible is so plain on this matter that a child can understand this but I have shown this portion of Scripture to people and other verses in the Bible and saw nothing but struggle with this reality in the Bible. I had one person tell me that if the Scripture says that then we have to go on to other verses in the Bible to see if this is true.

This is avoidance of the truth but these people are no different than the group that just want to live their life apart from God. The core of their being is to suppress the truth but Romans chapter one has some things to say about these people. I don't have the time or space to show you the verses in Romans but if we hid from the truth to embrace a lie then we are not on the narrow path of salvation through Jesus Christ.

There are many verses in the Bible that tell us Jesus Christ is the way of salvation but we must come on His terms. Of course the way is narrow because people want to come to God their way. We must accept Jesus Christ by faith into our heart by repenting of our transgressions based on the fact that Jesus died for our sins. My real question in context is which Jesus are you coming to if you are just going to live life your way and on your terms?

Romans 1:16 says, "For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto Salvation to everyone that believeth : to the Jew first and also to the Greek.” Anybody that believes in Jesus Christ will receive the wonderful gift of true salvation in the Son of God. People all around the world are placing their faith in Jesus Christ. There are revivals in some countries and my prayer is more people will have a hunger for the gospel.

1 Thessalonians 5:9 says, “For God has not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ.” What a comforting verse of Scripture that God gives to those who believe on His name. When the wrath of God comes upon this world (and there may not be to much time) the Bible says we will be spared this horrible punishment that is coming on this earth because of the overwhelming sins of mankind and their unbelief in Jesus Christ.

We do have this promise from Scripture but my fear is some people are claiming these verses of the Bible but are not on the narrow path of salvation through Jesus Christ. I see them sinning and they just don't care so their conscience is seared. These are the same people that are so sure they are going up in the rapture.

When I look at this I think of the laws of gravity. The weight of their sin will hold them down and they will not go up in the rapture of the Church. Narrow is the way and this same rule will apply to the Blessed Hope (Rapture). I would urge Christians not to be left behind because of silly sins. Don't be left behind because you just want to live your life your way. Don't be left behind because you want self will in your life as opposed to the will of God.

2 Timothy 3:15 reads, “And that from a child thou has known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Jesus Christ.” This verse is true because children understand the Bible very well if taught the right way. Maybe this is why Jesus said ,"And said, verly I say unto you, except ye be converted and become as a little child, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. "Matthew 18:3.

I have seen so many children "Grow up" and forget their faith in Jesus Christ. If this describes you please come back to the Lord. Time is short and narrow is the way through Jesus Christ. Our character is being tested by God so let us have courage in Him and move forward by faith in Jesus Christ. Do not take the easy way out and just live your life without God.

Even though we were saved by grace through our faith in Jesus Christ the narrow way is the hard way. Our faith, obedience and courage must be in Jesus Christ. If you think this is easy please take a second look and ask God through prayer if He will show you the whole situation regarding life in comparison to your eternity. In the game of soccer a halfback (if he or she is good) will see the whole field.

It is hard because there is a lot of responsible and accountability. The way is narrow through Jesus Christ because we have to see the will of God for our life and understand it is going into the wideness of eternity (The whole field). Then we have to count the cost and walk in obedience with Jesus Christ.

Philippians 1:19 says, “For I know that this shall turn to my salvation, through your prayers, and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ.” Prayer is a very powerful opportunity that the Lord gives us so we can give it back to Him. Our prayers go straight to the throne room of God. We can praise God, we can ask a request, we can pray for the sick, our fellow Christians to grow in grace and knowledge of the truth but in the most intimate way we can pray for a stronger fellowship with our Lord. How are we going to be on the straight and narrow path if we don't have intimacy with Jesus Christ?

Hebrews 9:28 says, “So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear a second time without sin unto salvation.” Wow what a God we serve. He is coming back for His children after He shed His blood on the cross to take His people up in the rapture who believe on Him. There is no other religion in the world that gives this promise of a Blessed Hope.

Jesus Christ will put an end to all this evil in this world. He will then rule for 1000 years on earth after His judgment is finished and make a new heaven and earth at the end of the millennium.

Revelation 12:10 says, “And I heard a loud voice saying in Heaven, now is coming salvation and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accuses them before God day and night.” I will be so glad when this comes to pass but for now it is happening and this should give us more incentive to be living on the straight and narrow path for Jesus Christ. If not we give the devil or some of his minions legal ground to make their case in the courtroom of Jesus Christ against us and cause havoc in our life. Do not give the devil anything.

If you have not accepted Jesus Christ into your life please do so and allow Him to put you on the straight and narrow way in His loving grace through your faith and obedience in Him.

God Bless you,
Bob D.