“And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.” Luke 9:23
“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.” Matthew 7:13-14
Jesus did not promise an easy life: not physically and not spiritually either. Looking at “narrow” in Matthew 7:14, the Greek word “thlibo” is translated as “afflict, narrow, throng, suffer tribulation, trouble.” This is not a word of ease and comfort. This affliction, suffering, and trouble of the narrow way that leads to the strait gate is played out through the old Testament prophets.
“Which of the prophets have not your fathers persecuted? And they have slain them which shewed before of the coming of the Just One; of whom ye have been now the betrayers and murderers:” Acts 7:52
This persecution continued with Jesus himself.
“And Jesus saith unto him, The foxes have holes, and the birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head.” Matthew 8:20
“Then the Jews took up stones again to stone him.” John 10:31
And definitely do not forget Jesus being crucified.
This persecution is even promised and a show of blessing to us by Jesus himself.
“Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.” Matthew 5:11
“Wherefore, behold, I send unto you prophets, and wise men, and scribes: and some of them ye shall kill and crucify; and some of them shall ye scourge in your synagogues, and persecute them from city to city:” Matthew 23:34
“But before all these, they shall lay their hands on you, and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues, and into prisons, being brought before kings and rulers for my name’s sake.” Mark 13:9
All this shows and exemplifies how tolling the road to Christ can be and how all true followers of Christ will in one way or another experience these hardships. How we respond to these shows fruit whether good or rotten. When the disciples were flogged in Acts, they rejoiced in that they were counted worthy to suffer for Christ.
“And they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer for his name.” Acts 5:41
This brings me to the reason for this post, life has been difficult lately. The physical side of things have been tough but manageable. The spiritual side of things have been a bit more difficult. There have been problems and I have wracked by brain and tried to figure it out myself. All of which failed and during one such spiritual attack I was brought to my knees to let go and give it over to the Lord. I cried out for His help and The Father is truly great and faithful. This immediately turned the problem around, to His glory.
This road is not one that can followed by our own strength. It must be done through faith. Remember the encouraging prayer Jesus prayed for His future followers:
“Neither pray I for theses alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word; That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us; that the world my believe that thou hast sent me. And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one: I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me.” John 17:20-23
Abiding in Christ, being faithful, means we are made perfect in Christ and are loved by The Father as He loves Christ. Give it to Jesus, fall on your knees, repent, pray, and abide. Do this and you will be one with Jesus and the Father and be led down the narrow way.
With Love,
Timothy