Enter By The Narrow Gate

Not many politicians will stand for election on a programme offering the electors 'blood, sweat and tears'. People don't want that — they want a programme of good things to make them happy and put them at ease.

Jesus Christ pictures life in two ways — like two different roads, and we have to make a choice as to which one we will travel on. There is an easy road — it is broad, easy to find and you can take as much luggage as you like, such as being self-centred and leaving God out of your life. It seems a free living, carefree road but it turns out to be a dead end, "a highway to hell" (New Living Translation of verse 14).

The other way Jesus mentions may well turn out to be a 'blood, sweat and tears' path because people who want to travel on it are often looked down on and persecuted by those on the broad road. But Jesus advises us to get off that broad way as soon as we can. "Enter the narrow gate," he says. Yes, it's a narrow gate so you have to travel light — no baggage, only a basket of good fruit - love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control (Galatians 6:22-23). That way may be tough but Jesus will travel with you — and it is the way of life, a full life, and a life which will never end. It is life in Jesus.

Prayer

Dear Lord, lead me through the narrow gate in your company. Amen.