Does the narrow gate lead to a narrow life?

Posted byoakhillcrossvillePosted inUncategorized
Good morning everyone,
 
Our theme for this month: “Deep Discipleship”
 
Our Bible verse for today: “Enter through the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the road is broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who go through it. How narrow is the gate and difficult the road that leads to life, and few find it.” Matthew 7:13-14 (CSB)
 
Our thought for today: “Does the narrow gate lead to a narrow life?”
 
Matthew 7:13-14 is about salvation and it applies to evangelism. The world offers many paths through life, none of which lead us to God in heaven. There is only one path, the one offered by Jesus, that leads to eternal life. Matthew 7:13-14 is essentially John 14:6 stated differently, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”
 
Unfortunately, many unbelievers and many Christians too, conclude that the narrow gate leads to a narrow life – that the life lived following Jesus is pinched, restricted, cramped, and devoid of fun and joy. And, truth be told, some Christians do seem to live that way. Theirs is a life filled with rules, regulations, restrictions. They are essentially, in my opinion, modern-day Pharisees.
 
But is that the life the narrow path of Jesus leads us to? Or, does the narrow path actually bring us into a broad world of wonder, joy, fulfillment, and adventure as we explore the mystery, the splendor, the magnificence and grandeur of life in the kingdom of God? Didn’t Jesus say in John 10:10, “I have come that they may have life and have it in abundance”?  And doesn’t Paul tell us in Galatians 5:22-23 that life lived in the fullness of the Holy Spirit will consist of “Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, and self-control”?
 
Yes, the path leading to eternal life is narrow. There is only one way and many never pass through that gate. But right on the other side of that gate there is a world and a life that is good beyond description. It is life in all its fullness.
 
A follower of Christ living a life of deep discipleship should understand and experience this great truth. Further, we should be living it. Any Christian living what appears to be a pinched, restricted, narrow little life has somehow missed the truth of life in the kingdom of God. I agree with Saint Augustine that a Christian should be one big hallelujah from head to toe! That’s what this world needs to see in us. And if they do, more of them will want the life we have discovered for ourselves right on the other side of that narrow gate.
 
God bless,
Pastor Jim
 
(If you like what you’re reading in these daily devotionals, and if you would like more content from Oak Hill Baptist Church, join us on Sundays at 10:00, in-person if you are nearby or, if you are geographically distant or if you just can’t make it, online at www.YouTube.com/@oakhillbaptistcrossville
 
 
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