This thought occurred to me today. The train started in my mind with the verse found in Matthew 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
Lately I have become more and convinced that the narrow way is much more narrow than even we as believers realize. There are so many who claim to know Christ as their Savior and yet they never show fruit in their life and I have a hard time believing that they are truly converted because they say things that are contradictory to the word of God while claiming to be a follower of Christ. They throw out portions of scripture that they don't like because it confronts their sin or the fact that believing the scripture as wholly true, inspired by God and not open for "Private Interpretation" (2 Peter 1:20) means they cannot live the way they desire, forcing them to be under the authority of God not their own mind and personal desires.
Well this makes me very unpopular and what many people call narrow minded. Christ himself said that the way is narrow. Why is it narrow? Because it requires submitting your will to a higher authority. Sinful man doesn't want that. Being a subject or slave to something means you have a master and your will is not your own. EXACTLY!
I am not my own! I am bought with a price (1 Cor 6:20, 7:23), the precious blood of Jesus Christ who gave himself in my place to satisfy the wrath of a Holy God who was at war with me until Christ stepped in, laying down his sinless life for me. NOW I am Gods child. I have the same rights as His only Begotten Son (Jn 3:16) How can I NOT be a servant, a slave to the one who has set me free and given me eternal life with Him? I'm compelled to do as He commands. I want to serve and obey out of gratitude, not duty or obligation.
People have such a hard time with that. There is only one way to God, and that is through Jesus Christ (1 Tim 2:5). That does not sit well with people. They want to do it their way. "I am the way", Christ says (Jn 14:6) "No man comes to the Father but through me." No other way.
My belief labels me as an elitist, and narrow minded. Praise GOD! Why? Because I have the truth. Truth is not relative like so many want us to believe. Truth comes from God. You don't have to believe that. I'm not forcing anyone to believe that. You have the choice to reject truth. One day someone will be right and someone will be wrong. I'm very comfortable with what I believe and willing to take the "chance". Are you? If you are wrong, when truth is revealed are you willing to accept the consequences? I am!
So if Christ is my Saviour making God my Father, then He is watching out for me and has my best interest at heart (Jer 29:11). He is on my side. I sort of feel like the kid who says, "my Dad is better than your Dad". So many people are lost and without Christ because they do not accept the truth.
All around me there are people losing jobs, struggling financially and physically. As I think about that I return to the thought that I belong to God. He is on my side. If God is for me who can be against me (Romans 8:31)? How cool is that? He is no longer against me like he was before Christ entered my life. I'm on the side of the winning team!
Yes we may be a small team, but we are already the winners. God is on MY side. Won't you join? Step on the side of God. Be a part of the winning side. The side of truth. It will cost you. You will have to give up things you may want to hold on to. You will be called narrow minded. But you will have God on your side. There is nothing worth being His opponent.
I don't say any of this with a haughty spirit. Yes I am proud to be called God's child, but not in a prideful way that excludes others out of a spirit of hatred or piety. I wish everyone would come to the side of Truth and forgiveness (2 Peter 3:9). My heart hurts for the majority that snub their nose at God and say, "I'll do it my way". "I can't accept that a God of love would send someone to a place of torment forever."
You see, not only is He Love but He is Holy. He can't be near sin. We don't like holiness because it reveals our wickedness. But there is a solution. He LOVED in providing a Way. But you have to accept that way, otherwise you too will suffer eternal punishment.
I don't understand why people just can't accept that. It's so easy. It is amazing how we will sacrifice the eternal on the alter of the immediate. We want it our way for 80 years (if we get that) here on earth and give up eternal happiness. All for a blink of fleeting pleasure by doing it our way. How foolish.
On the flip side, how awesome it is to be a narrow minded child of the One True God! I am in awe that he chose me from the billions who have lived throughout history, and shown His light of truth on my heart, causing me to see my sin and accepting me when I came running to Him for forgiveness and reconciliation. He's on MY side because I'm on HIS side.
I think I will start singing now.
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