The strait and narrow

Mat 7:13,14
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
Because strait is the gate
and narrow is the way
which leadeth unto life
and few there be that find it.


The straight and narrow. You hear that saying from time to time and this is where is comes from. When you're on the straight and narrow it means you are behaving, you're not involved in anything corrupt. You're playing it honestly and above board, not deceptively and underhanded.


Everyone should want to enter in at that strait gate, yes? The strait gate leads to LIFE, the wide broad gate that isn't strait leads to DESTRUCTION.


Where will most people go though? Through the wide gate and they'll do so knowing it leads to destruction. These are NOT gates that are impossible to find, perhaps hard to find because life will throw at you all sorts of enticements towards the wide gate, but NOT impossible.


The metaphorical gates are the way we conduct our lives from day to day, everyday. The gates lead to the path we are on and we know the path of the world, the path of the flesh, the path of Satan is the one MOST take. It's the EASY path the wide gate offers us. The very hard path is offered only through the narrow gate.


Why do you suppose Jesus is telling us all this? Seriously, why? Our Savior isn't sugar-coating the life of one who chooses to follow Him. Our Savior isn't painting the picture of a carefree, easy existence if we day after day decide to be His. We are NOT offered ANY worldly pleasure. We are NOT offered ANY worldly gain. We are NOT offered an easy life at all in any way. We are not promised smiles. We are NOT promised a life of ease free of situations that can bring us anxiety, worry, stress, pain, anguish, heartache, desperation, mental exhaustion, depression. We are promised a FIREY refining furnace.


Zec 13:9 And I will bring the third part through the fire, and will refine them as silver is refined, and will try them as gold is tried: they shall call on my name, and I will hear them: I will say, It is my people: and they shall say, The LORD is my God.


Mal 3:2 But who may abide the day of his coming? and who shall stand when he appeareth? for he is like a refiner's fire, and like fullers' soap


Rev 3:18 I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see.


Psa 66:10 For thou, O God, hast proved us: thou hast tried us, as silver is tried.
Psa 66:11 Thou broughtest us into the net; thou laidst affliction upon our loins.
Psa 66:12 Thou hast caused men to ride over our heads; we went through fire and through water: but thou broughtest us out into a wealthy place.


1Pe 4:12 Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you:
1Pe 4:13 But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.


1Pe 1:7 That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ


A fiery furnace.

Life spent in a fiery furnace. Just imagine it…living life in the fire of one trial after another. We really DON'T have to really imagine it do we? We live it, it's called life and though even those on the wide, broad path leading to destruction suffer along with us and are ready to jump up and say they suffer too, there is a big difference in the suffering. Some suffer and use the suffering to promote self. Some suffer and use the suffering to bemoan their fates. Some suffer and let it harden them. Some suffer and it causes them to become more unrefined. One who is being refined by Christ allows the suffering to reshape them, to purify them. We make choices all the time, every single day we are making new choices, following old choices, but we are constantly in a state of choosing. It's true. Constantly in a state of choice. We are be given choices all day long even on our days off, in fact probably more so then. We usually make the choice, do the choosing without even thinking too overly much about it. Then there are things we agonize over deciding. It's the all day long choosing that makes up our lives and a Christ follower will strive to make their choices based on what they believe is God's will. They'll read the Bible- God's word, they'll pray, they'll try to live their lives in a way pleasing to God- as much as any human being can. Those following Christ will hold onto Him tightly knowing it is HIS righteousness that saves them as they live in the fiery furnace.


The narrow way, the straight way that only a few are going to find is all Christ's way. The self-sacrifice we must possess by His grace and power is the only way we will find that narrow path. Clinging to Christ during all facets of our life is a must, He'll bring us through the strait gate.


Read this again--


1Pe 4:12 Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you:
1Pe 4:13 But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.


Every single day we face adversities- even on our best days. Some of our best days bring with them the toughest choices, the furnace can be burning hotly right around the corner from the happiest days we experience. Choices… we choose which gate to enter. And we Have to remember the widest, easiest, gate is that of destruction so YES we should rejoice as we suffer- if only we can truly remember during that suffering that we should rejoice in Christ, not in ourselves or our seeming ability to survive the trial on our own, but rejoice in Christ for all the strength to endure we know He alone can give us.


Trials will come and go.
Choices will constantly be made.
Living for the glory of Christ our Savior is all we can seek to do.


In His love!


Amen.