12/12/2022
In preparing for his final days, Paul wrote to Timothy and gave him instructions and warnings regarding the preaching and teaching of the gospel. Amongst these warnings was one that we find coming to fruition today; he warned him about not yielding to the temptation to water down the message to suit the whims and passions of the people. He warned that many would wander into myths. As we seek out our own salvation do we look for the narrow gate of true faith, or the earthly gate of myth that is thrown wide? Fewer will enter by the narrow gate and find eternal life, while a horde will rush the convenient earthly gate that means nothing but death. Are we being deceived?
“For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths.”
2 Timothy 4:3-4 ESV
I pray that the Lord will help us to know that although the way of the faithful is hard, the reward is great. Paul encourages Timothy and us in this truth as he speaks of what awaits him in death, but are we prepared to face judgement like Paul was by having entered the narrow gate?
“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing.”
2 Timothy 4:7-8 ESV
Jesus knew we needed help to walk the narrow way, and for this reason He asked the Father to send us a helper, the Holy Spirit, but a helper helps, and it remains for us to walk the way.
““If you love me, you will keep my commandments. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you.”
John 14:15-17 ESV
God sent an angel to strengthen Jesus as He prayed in the Garden of Gethsemane, but Jesus alone had to take on our sin, bear the marks of the whip, endure the cross, and face death. A helper helps, but in the end it is we who must face the trials of faith and enter by the narrow gate… just as Jesus still had to pray the prayer, and do the other things.
“And there appeared to him an angel from heaven, strengthening him. And being in agony he prayed more earnestly; and his sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground.”
Luke 22:43-44 ESV
So which gate do we choose for ourselves? Do we choose the narrow gate that is difficult, and requires much of us, or do we choose the earthly gate that is wide, and easily traveled? Do we attempt the gate of glory guarded by suffering, or the gate of death that has no guards… only doormen who take our comfortable coats and hold the gates wide? The narrow gate is hard indeed…
“Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality, nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God.”
1 Corinthians 6:9-10 ESV
But, there are many roads that lead us back to the narrow gate. There is hope for us while we are yet sinners. Jesus beckons “come” those who once chose the wide gate, but are yet to enter into judgement. Our God is merciful, wants that none should be lost, and whose grace awaits those who repent at the narrow gate.
“And such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.”
1 Corinthians 6:11 ESV
So, Beware of false teaching, and the subtle lies of Satan. The easy road rarely leads to profit, whole the hard road in life draws us a good wage.
““Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. You will recognize them by their fruits. Are grapes gathered from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? So, every healthy tree bears good fruit, but the diseased tree bears bad fruit. A healthy tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a diseased tree bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus you will recognize them by their fruits.”
Matthew 7:15-20 ESV
Prayer:
Father, thank you for your Word that speaks to us of the narrow gate, and warns us against seeking out the easy roads, and wide gates that lead to nothing. Thank you for your Son Jesus, our redeemer, who calls us away from death, and directs us to truth and life through Him. Thank you for your mercy and grace that will save us though we were once embroiled in sin… if only we turn towards you, and believe. Holy, Holy, Holy, are you our God whose Holy Spirit helps us to find our way back to the narrow gate of life that has been opened by Christ. Praised be your name for making it possible for us to spend eternity in your presence, and to experience the rest, joy, and peace, that awaits us there. Hear the prayers of contrition and pleas for forgiveness from those who were once traveling the easy way of sin, and help them all to believe and be transformed in Jesus Christ. Cast your light of truth on the sinful lies of the world so that we can see them clearly for what they are, and turn away, back towards the narrow and often painful way that leads to you. We pray for help in our lives, and that by our faith in Jesus, and in the face of all difficulty and suffering, that the lessons learned through such times will win us your pleasure, and our being called to dine in eternity with you at your Holy table.
““Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few.”
Matthew 7:13-14 ESV
Rich Forbes