WALKING THE NARROW ROAD
Matthew 7:13-14 13 Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat:
14 Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.
The strait gate hear is referring to walking the spirit filled righteous life that pleases God. Being saved is only the first step.
Every contrite heart desires to be among the few. The requirements are greater than most people are willing to accept.
The word contrite means deeply affected with grief and sorrow for having done wrong, showing and resulting from remorse or guilt.
These two gates represent every person’s choice to either follow Jesus’ journey, which is the narrow gate, or follow the broad gate which is the way of the world that leads to destruction.
There are many who go in by it because the narrow gate is difficult to follow, but it is the way which leads to life eternal, sadly there are few that find it.
Proverbs 13:20 20 He that walketh with wise men shall be wise: but a companion of fools shall be destroyed.
We as Christians should diligently search preachers who preach the whole counsel of God. This will help us to avoid that road that leads to destruction.
Romans 8:8-9 8 So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.
9 But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.
This is referring again to the believer attempting to live his Christian life by means other than faith in Christ and the cross. Since we are now a believer and no longer depending on the flesh why do we still resort to the flesh?
As believer we now have the privilege of being led and empowered by the Holy Spirit. he will do for us on the premise of our faith in the finished work of Christ.
Only if you are truly saved. Truly saved is walking toward this narrow gate referred to in Matthew 7:13-14 which is following Christ Jesus.
Romans 7:6 6 But now we are delivered from the law, that being dead wherein we were held; that we should serve in newness of spirit, and not in the oldness of the letter.
Before we were born again into the newness of life, we were living in the flesh with sinful passions. Now by accepting Christ we have been delivered from sin and should serve in the newness of the spirit.
We must put to death the deeds of our own flesh way of living by walking in the power of the Holy Spirit, looking always to that narrow road. We are fooling only ourselves if we think the habits and desires of the flesh will die without a struggle. They will not.
Proverbs 2:6-7 6 For the Lord giveth wisdom: out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding.
7 He layeth up sound wisdom for the righteous: he is a buckler to them that walk uprightly.
The Lord gives us wisdom to use the knowledge of understanding to accomplish a sound mind for those who walk upright in His word.
He also guards our path by placing a hedge around us and gives his angels charge over us.
Proverbs 2:13-15 13 Who leave the paths of uprightness, to walk in the ways of darkness;
14 Who rejoice to do evil, and delight in the frowardness of the wicked;
15 Whose ways are crooked, and they froward in their paths:
When we abandon these unrighteous and wicked ways and when wisdom and knowledge become a person’s way of life, wisdom that seeks God, he will deliver us from the temptations that lead to death.
We are the light of the world and should never get into walking in the path of darkness which leads to the wide gate.
Romans 8:38-39 38 For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,
39 Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Paul stated I am persuaded, or convinced, that the love of God extended to us is made possible solely by Christ and what he has done for us at the cross. Once again this shows Gods love for us, which never wavers because we are in Christ Jesus.
In all of these things we are more than conquerors through him who love us enough to give his life on the cross so that we might have life everlasting and become conquerors.
John 12:35-36 35 Then Jesus said unto them, Yet a little while is the light with you. Walk while ye have the light, lest darkness come upon you: for he that walketh in darkness knoweth not whither he goeth.
36 While ye have light, believe in the light, that ye may be the children of light. These things spake Jesus, and departed, and did hide himself from them.
This warning was clearly given that their day was nearly gone and eternal darkness was coming. To walk while you have the light, lest darkness come upon you. Now you have been given a choice
You can choose to walk in light, which is Christ Jesus, or stumble around in the darkness which is governed by Satan and his demonic cohorts, not knowing where you are going.
The majority of the world at present and since the beginning of time are living and walking in darkness. Not realizing that a better way has been created for them through the blood, resurrection and the cross.
Since Jesus is the light, and while we still have access to this light, let us believe in the light so when darkness tries to overcome us, we have all of heavens protection to stand against the darkness.
We are children of God. we are the children of Light. Make this light the central focus of your life so you might be worthy of walking the narrow road.
Your soul, which is made up of your mind, will and emotion decides the road narrow or wide that we walk. Both roads lead to an eternal life. One with Jesus and the other with Satan.
We are to walk in the newness of life through Christ Jesus and guidance with the Holy Spirit through faith in God’s word.
Romans 8:3-4 3 For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh:
4 That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
Under the Law people had only their will power which is not sufficient to resist temptation. Even when they tried to do right, they were unable to keep the law, the same ability exists today.
Any person who tires to live for God by a system of laws is doomed to failure. The Holy Spirit doesn’t function that way.
We should as Christians, never walk after the flesh. “That means walking in your own strength and ability.” We should always walk after the Spirit with his wisdom.
The word walk is referring to the manner in which we order our life. When we place our faith in Christ Jesus and the cross, understanding that things come from God to us by means of the cross, then and only then can we stay on the narrow road.
Ever making it the object of our faith the Holy Spirit can then work mightily within us bringing about the fruit of the spirit. That is what walking after the Spirit actually means. This helps us to stay on the narrow road, continually seeking God and looking forward to our eternal life in Heaven.
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