The Narrow or Wide Gates
Good Morning Friends,
One of the great challenges in life is figuring out who to follow. Evidence would suggest that followers of the Way have strayed off course. Too many of our leaders are nothing more than the blind leading the blind. They see with earthly eyes but fail to see the Spirit at work. Friends, in this world we will experience both but each of us will ultimately have to choose either The Narrow or Wide Gates.
Scripture: Treasure in Clay Jars
Therefore, since it is by God’s mercy that we are engaged in this ministry, we do not lose heart. We have renounced the shameful things that one hides; we refuse to practice cunning or to falsify God’s word; but by the open statement of the truth we commend ourselves to the conscience of everyone in the sight of God. 3And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. 4In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. 5For we do not proclaim ourselves; we proclaim Jesus Christ as Lord and ourselves as your slaves for Jesus’ sake. 6For it is the God who said, ‘Let light shine out of darkness’, who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.
2 Corinthians 4:1-6 (NRSV)
And not only that, but we also boast in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance,
Romans 5:3 (NRSV)
Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.
Matthew 7:13-14 (NIV)
Message: One cannot choose both the narrow and the wide way at the same time. Friends, there are a lot of ways that do not lead to the kingdom. Asceticism, vigils, suffering are not able to save. Demons do not go away if we fast, for they do not eat. Vigils make no difference for demons do not sleep. Separation from the world even fails for we are still flesh and bones. The only way is by humbly submitting to see through the eyes of the Spirit that dwells in us. It is a choice to be loved by the Spirit. We do however need to learn to see in its new way for we are born blind to it or become blind on the wrong way. The great sadness is that we get a sense of the spiritual power but find it difficult to bear fruit in the age of trials and temptations that threaten to rob us of our inheritance in the kingdom of God. What we seek is a teacher who is a stranger to the desire for domination, vain-glory, and pride. One who is not fooled by flattery nor blinded by gifts nor dominated by anger, or even tempted by a good meal, but one who is patient, gentle and humble… someone without partisanship…someone full of concern… a lover of souls. The Way is narrow and can feel confining. The Way has been carefully planned out by God if one has eyes to see it at work. The Way is a long term commitment with a cross to bear. Sanctification is not easy. The Way is costly in the world’s eyes for it demands our very life. The Way is uncompromising, we cannot be lukewarm. The Way has its center in Christ .What we seek is Christ. Are you ready to follow?
Pray we understand that the only good flowers and fruits of our labors are through works of the Spirit. Pray therefor that in humility all our works are undertaken with joy and hope subject to the grace of Christ that dwells in us. Pray the Spirit makes sweet the sufferings of the Lord by putting out the fire of our passions in the sorrow of the present by the hope of the future. Pray that by the virtue of our humility in Christ we become victorious against the depravity of the wide gate and its fruit of avarice and envy and evil. Pray we realize that only when we are weak are we strong. Pray we bear fruit consistent with the confession of our faith and the commitment of our actions. Pray we find victory in Jesus.
Blessings,
John Lawson
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