After having listened to Paul Washer and his sermon at the youth conference, I really have not been able to stop thinking about it and all that he said. What he shares with us can be hard to listen to as it really convicts those who do not understand or are not focusing on the narrow path and narrow gate.
This is the second time this particular Scripture, Matthew 7: 13-14, has crossed my path. When I was the youth leader at my church, it was given me to present to my youth. I understood the implications of the passage, though my delivery was much different.
Looking at Chapter 7 of the Book of Matthew, it challenges us to take a good hard look at ourselves.
Verses 1 thru 5, speaks to the judgment of others and that God will judge us according to our judgment of others. The application portion of the NIV Study Bible states that we are encouraged not to tear one another down, but to help build one another up.
Looking at verses 7-12, makes it sound pretty easy to have our needs/wants answered when all we need to do is ask, seek, and knock. This may very well be the case, but when Scripture presents a repetitious pattern, as in these verses, it means we must be persistent in our asking.
How many times have we asked just once, then given up? In Luke 18 there is a parable about the persistent widow and a stubborn judge. The widow returned time and again to the judge in order to get the judgment she was looking for. If you ask just once, how important is it to you?
This Scripture speaks to seeking. What is it that you are looking for? Is it something that will help you become a more Christ like individual, or is it something that will create problems in your life?
Psalm 119:155 (New International Version)
155 Salvation is far from the wicked,
for they do not seek out your decrees.
Hebrews 11:6 (New International Version)
6And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.
"and to him who knocks, the door will be opened" - If God decides not to open the door quite yet, it more than likely means that you are not ready for what you are asking for. God still has work to do through you before this door is opened, if it is opened at all. Just because we ask, does not mean that it will be given us. Our Father knows us better than we know ourselves, we need to be humble in that realization and except His decisions.
Now comes the gates and paths.
The one thing about Scripture is this, every word, phrase, meaning, is written with a purpose. This is not a book of fairy tales to be taken lightly. This is a book that has been around for over 1500 years. It has been investigated and looked at by the best of researchers, 66 individual books make up the whole. 40 authors, under the direction of the Holy Spirit, wrote these 66 individual books. The Bible is God inspired, totally cohesive, and true in it's meaning and purpose. It is the one Truth that stands among all the lies this world would rather us believe.
Having said that, the gates and paths.
"13"Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. 14But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it."
There is no such thing as a just add water and become an instant Christian. Becoming a Christian is a process and develops over time. God could work a miracle and change someone in the blink of an eye, but what is witnessed most of the time is a process.
When we reach out to Christ and except a relationship with Him, we confess our sins, ask for forgiveness, then much like the song says, "Jesus take the wheel."
That is not the end, that is not what wins us salvation and an eternity in Heaven. If we have that conversation with Christ, then make no effort to change our ways, stay on the same wide path as we've always been on, then we are in trouble.
You may ask, so what do I do after I except a relationship with Christ. First, I would find a Bible that you can and will read. Go to the closest Christian Book store, talk to the staff if necessary, talk to me if you want, and find His Word. Read His Word daily. Whether it is 5 minutes, 15, or 30 minutes, just read and learn. Find a Bible believing, Bible preaching church.
Ecclesiastes 4:12 (New International Version)
12 Though one may be overpowered,
two can defend themselves.
A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.
Talk to people and ask questions of people who have a strong faith in Christ. If you are going to get direction from someone, it is important they know where you want to go!
You are well on your way to being on the narrow path. You are not going to be perfect, nor are you expected to be! Asking forgiveness is something that I do on a daily basis, I fall, get back up, ask for forgiveness and continue moving forward. Some days are easier than others. Some days I fail horribly. But, never stop seeking Him!
Jeremiah 29:13-14 (New International Version)
13 You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. 14 I will be found by you," declares the LORD, "and will bring you back from captivity. [a] I will gather you from all the nations and places where I have banished you," declares the LORD, "and will bring you back to the place from which I carried you into exile."
The above Scripture is a beautiful promise from God, and He keeps His promises! The important thing to remember is to be humble enough and patient enough to except His timing.
In verses 15-20, it speaks to fruit. Fruit can reveal itself in many ways. It can start as a change in attitude, change in behavior, the manner in which we work with people, how we spend our money, how we spend our time. Eventually fruit looks like the impact we have/leave on people. Helping them in their relationship with Christ. Helping them find the hope that you found at the beginning of your relationship with Christ. All this takes time however. Be patient, be persistent, but never stop moving forward.
False prophets. The more we read and study the Word of God, the more we will be able to see the rights and the wrongs in the world.
1 Thessalonians 5:21-22 (NIV)
21Test everything. Hold on to the good. 22Avoid every kind of evil.
We test everything against the Word of God. Our behavior, the decisions we make, what others encourage us to do. Including this writing.
In verses 21-23, it states that not everyone who says Lord Lord will be known to Christ. Not everyone who appears to be doing good deeds, will be known to Christ.
In all that we are and all that we do, Christ must be at the center of it. The world would have us believe that the cost is to great to follow Christ. That we give up to much, for a person written in a book that is filled with fairy tales. If we continue to listen to the world, we will continue to chase a happiness that will truly never come. If we claim Christ as our Lord and Savior, and do not seek His face and we do not allow Him to make changes in our life, we will continue to chase a happiness that never comes.
On the contrary though, if we make sacrifices, seek His face, study His Word, allow Him to make the necessary changes in our lives, we will find a joy and a peace that can only be found through Christ. No life will not be perfect, but:
Matthew 6:19-21 (New International Version)
19"Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
In verses 24-27 it speaks to building a house on a foundation. I went to Ocean City over Christmas. Driving around I saw the new construction of homes along a beach front. These homes were not being built on the sand, but these homes are going to rest on several huge concrete pillars. I have no doubt that these concrete pillars go deep into the earth.
What do you want your life to rest upon? The world would come and say, Follow me! Spend your money, obtain all sorts of stuff and find happiness.
Christ says to seek His face, let go of the things of this world and discover the awesome possibilities and power of God in your life.
I have had the luxury of both experiences. The world failed me horribly. It was a life of empty promises and broken dreams.
Though a life following Christ is not perfect, as it's not supposed to be, I have not had a promise broken yet, and the dreams have been better than I could imagine.
Jeremiah 29:11 (New International Version)
11 For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
This is the second time this particular Scripture, Matthew 7: 13-14, has crossed my path. When I was the youth leader at my church, it was given me to present to my youth. I understood the implications of the passage, though my delivery was much different.
Looking at Chapter 7 of the Book of Matthew, it challenges us to take a good hard look at ourselves.
Verses 1 thru 5, speaks to the judgment of others and that God will judge us according to our judgment of others. The application portion of the NIV Study Bible states that we are encouraged not to tear one another down, but to help build one another up.
Looking at verses 7-12, makes it sound pretty easy to have our needs/wants answered when all we need to do is ask, seek, and knock. This may very well be the case, but when Scripture presents a repetitious pattern, as in these verses, it means we must be persistent in our asking.
How many times have we asked just once, then given up? In Luke 18 there is a parable about the persistent widow and a stubborn judge. The widow returned time and again to the judge in order to get the judgment she was looking for. If you ask just once, how important is it to you?
This Scripture speaks to seeking. What is it that you are looking for? Is it something that will help you become a more Christ like individual, or is it something that will create problems in your life?
Psalm 119:155 (New International Version)
155 Salvation is far from the wicked,
for they do not seek out your decrees.
Hebrews 11:6 (New International Version)
6And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.
"and to him who knocks, the door will be opened" - If God decides not to open the door quite yet, it more than likely means that you are not ready for what you are asking for. God still has work to do through you before this door is opened, if it is opened at all. Just because we ask, does not mean that it will be given us. Our Father knows us better than we know ourselves, we need to be humble in that realization and except His decisions.
Now comes the gates and paths.
The one thing about Scripture is this, every word, phrase, meaning, is written with a purpose. This is not a book of fairy tales to be taken lightly. This is a book that has been around for over 1500 years. It has been investigated and looked at by the best of researchers, 66 individual books make up the whole. 40 authors, under the direction of the Holy Spirit, wrote these 66 individual books. The Bible is God inspired, totally cohesive, and true in it's meaning and purpose. It is the one Truth that stands among all the lies this world would rather us believe.
Having said that, the gates and paths.
"13"Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. 14But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it."
There is no such thing as a just add water and become an instant Christian. Becoming a Christian is a process and develops over time. God could work a miracle and change someone in the blink of an eye, but what is witnessed most of the time is a process.
When we reach out to Christ and except a relationship with Him, we confess our sins, ask for forgiveness, then much like the song says, "Jesus take the wheel."
That is not the end, that is not what wins us salvation and an eternity in Heaven. If we have that conversation with Christ, then make no effort to change our ways, stay on the same wide path as we've always been on, then we are in trouble.
You may ask, so what do I do after I except a relationship with Christ. First, I would find a Bible that you can and will read. Go to the closest Christian Book store, talk to the staff if necessary, talk to me if you want, and find His Word. Read His Word daily. Whether it is 5 minutes, 15, or 30 minutes, just read and learn. Find a Bible believing, Bible preaching church.
Ecclesiastes 4:12 (New International Version)
12 Though one may be overpowered,
two can defend themselves.
A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.
Talk to people and ask questions of people who have a strong faith in Christ. If you are going to get direction from someone, it is important they know where you want to go!
You are well on your way to being on the narrow path. You are not going to be perfect, nor are you expected to be! Asking forgiveness is something that I do on a daily basis, I fall, get back up, ask for forgiveness and continue moving forward. Some days are easier than others. Some days I fail horribly. But, never stop seeking Him!
Jeremiah 29:13-14 (New International Version)
13 You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. 14 I will be found by you," declares the LORD, "and will bring you back from captivity. [a] I will gather you from all the nations and places where I have banished you," declares the LORD, "and will bring you back to the place from which I carried you into exile."
The above Scripture is a beautiful promise from God, and He keeps His promises! The important thing to remember is to be humble enough and patient enough to except His timing.
In verses 15-20, it speaks to fruit. Fruit can reveal itself in many ways. It can start as a change in attitude, change in behavior, the manner in which we work with people, how we spend our money, how we spend our time. Eventually fruit looks like the impact we have/leave on people. Helping them in their relationship with Christ. Helping them find the hope that you found at the beginning of your relationship with Christ. All this takes time however. Be patient, be persistent, but never stop moving forward.
False prophets. The more we read and study the Word of God, the more we will be able to see the rights and the wrongs in the world.
1 Thessalonians 5:21-22 (NIV)
21Test everything. Hold on to the good. 22Avoid every kind of evil.
We test everything against the Word of God. Our behavior, the decisions we make, what others encourage us to do. Including this writing.
In verses 21-23, it states that not everyone who says Lord Lord will be known to Christ. Not everyone who appears to be doing good deeds, will be known to Christ.
In all that we are and all that we do, Christ must be at the center of it. The world would have us believe that the cost is to great to follow Christ. That we give up to much, for a person written in a book that is filled with fairy tales. If we continue to listen to the world, we will continue to chase a happiness that will truly never come. If we claim Christ as our Lord and Savior, and do not seek His face and we do not allow Him to make changes in our life, we will continue to chase a happiness that never comes.
On the contrary though, if we make sacrifices, seek His face, study His Word, allow Him to make the necessary changes in our lives, we will find a joy and a peace that can only be found through Christ. No life will not be perfect, but:
Matthew 6:19-21 (New International Version)
19"Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
In verses 24-27 it speaks to building a house on a foundation. I went to Ocean City over Christmas. Driving around I saw the new construction of homes along a beach front. These homes were not being built on the sand, but these homes are going to rest on several huge concrete pillars. I have no doubt that these concrete pillars go deep into the earth.
What do you want your life to rest upon? The world would come and say, Follow me! Spend your money, obtain all sorts of stuff and find happiness.
Christ says to seek His face, let go of the things of this world and discover the awesome possibilities and power of God in your life.
I have had the luxury of both experiences. The world failed me horribly. It was a life of empty promises and broken dreams.
Though a life following Christ is not perfect, as it's not supposed to be, I have not had a promise broken yet, and the dreams have been better than I could imagine.
Jeremiah 29:11 (New International Version)
11 For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
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