The Right Path 2!

The Right Path 2!

Matthew 7:14 AMPC

[14] But the gate is narrow (contracted by pressure) and the way is straitened and compressed that leads away to life, and few are those who find it. 

The message in the verse above is taken from the first sermon of Jesus on the mountain as He sat with His disciples. As it has always been pointed out, the crowd was there at the foot of mountain, but the messages in that sermon were not directed at the crowd, but at the disciples. The standards and principles laid out in the sermon are not for the many uncommitted majority, but for the few that have made up their minds to submit to and follow Christ. Of course, the crowd was there listening to the sermon, and as we read at the end of the sermon, the crowd was amazed hearing these words, but we know it did not make that much of a difference. 

For those who have made up their minds to submit to and follow Christ, the path to life will take us through some interesting and intense experiences. I note that nowhere did Christ promise His followers a trouble-free journey through life, but what He promises is His ever-abiding presence and power. He lays down the standard, and also makes available the power to adhere to the standards. He is not like the world that will set unrealistic expectations, and still not be able to explain, defend or support its own expectations. The world cannot define success, because it does not have the self-control to know and respect its limits. You cannot give what you do not have. 

For those who are under the control and influence of Christ, we are on a journey to eternal dwellings. That journey will take us through some interesting paths, which are described as a narrow gate, contracted by pressure. The way that leads to life has been presented as straitened and compressed. It is not to take away our joy in any way, but to set realistic expectations for what is coming. It is a narrow gate, because it does not permit just anything to be done carelessly or out of line with God's express directives. It is not a path that encourages living as I please, but as God pleases. It is a path that will demand focus from all who seek to walk in it. 

It is a journey where the focus must be clear and precise. Priorities must be clearly sorted and the pursuit must be single. There is no room for multiple threads. I can have many assignments I am working on for the kingdom of God, but I must never lose sight of the end-game, which is eternal life with God. If one loses eternal life with God, there is no earthly reward that can make up for that loss. For all generations, whether it was Joshua before he died, or Jeremiah as he was sent to the exiles in Babylon, the message is the same: the choice of eternity is mine to make. God has done all He can but He will not force Himself on anyone. Am I on the right path? Are you? God's time of favour is here.