The Narrow Way and why you can't walk it with 'fat friends'.
For the last few weeks, Steve and I have been talking about the verses in Matthew 7:13,14
Mt 7:13 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:
Mt 7:14 Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.
I am going to boil down this long-running conversation to share what I believe the Lord showed me in an instant. "You can't walk the path with the fat friends" The fat friends are the pride of life, the lust of the eye and the lust of the flesh.
The very first novel I read as a new Christian was John Bunyan's Pilgrim's Progress. It made a deep impression in my spirituality and in my thoughts the importance of the everyday moments and decisions in life. It also gave me an indelible impression that we are all walking on a path to Eternity. And that we have the power to choose where we spend our eternity. While I read that novel I also read the verses in Matthew for the first time, and I will be honest, it troubled me. I like happy endings, and I want to have a happy ending, the last thing I want to do is spend my life traveling and giving directions on the wrong path.
Steve and I talked about the narrow way. Why does it have to be narrow? It is because it only accommodates two people at a time, Jesus and you. It always has been and always will be the way that remains single file. On this path there is no room for the 'fat friends":
"For everything in the world--the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life--comes not from the Father but from the world." When we come to the cross and really begin to understand who and what Jesus is, there is no room for these friends. When we repent and are baptized , we say goodbye to them and are washed clean. When we are filled with his spirit, we are filled with the strength and courage to walk that narrow way. Those fat friends will try to hinder us, but because there is just enough room for Christ on the narrow way with us, they can not overtake us. We will be like Christian (main character) in the novel and make it to the Celestial city. Those fat friends are abundant on the broad way and the way will surely help you pass the time, so well that before you know it life will have passed you by. Jesus will walk with you the entire way on the narrow path, he will never leave you or forsake you, there is just enough room for you and for Him.
Mt 7:13 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:
Mt 7:14 Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.
I am going to boil down this long-running conversation to share what I believe the Lord showed me in an instant. "You can't walk the path with the fat friends" The fat friends are the pride of life, the lust of the eye and the lust of the flesh.
The very first novel I read as a new Christian was John Bunyan's Pilgrim's Progress. It made a deep impression in my spirituality and in my thoughts the importance of the everyday moments and decisions in life. It also gave me an indelible impression that we are all walking on a path to Eternity. And that we have the power to choose where we spend our eternity. While I read that novel I also read the verses in Matthew for the first time, and I will be honest, it troubled me. I like happy endings, and I want to have a happy ending, the last thing I want to do is spend my life traveling and giving directions on the wrong path.
Steve and I talked about the narrow way. Why does it have to be narrow? It is because it only accommodates two people at a time, Jesus and you. It always has been and always will be the way that remains single file. On this path there is no room for the 'fat friends":
"For everything in the world--the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life--comes not from the Father but from the world." When we come to the cross and really begin to understand who and what Jesus is, there is no room for these friends. When we repent and are baptized , we say goodbye to them and are washed clean. When we are filled with his spirit, we are filled with the strength and courage to walk that narrow way. Those fat friends will try to hinder us, but because there is just enough room for Christ on the narrow way with us, they can not overtake us. We will be like Christian (main character) in the novel and make it to the Celestial city. Those fat friends are abundant on the broad way and the way will surely help you pass the time, so well that before you know it life will have passed you by. Jesus will walk with you the entire way on the narrow path, he will never leave you or forsake you, there is just enough room for you and for Him.
Thanks for stopping by and I hope you are walking the Narrow way with Jesus, it is the only Eternal happy Ending and He will be with you every step of the way.
Ginny M
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Blessings
Maxine