Mat_7:14 Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.
Most (even true) Christians experience the first but are entirely ignorant of the way in Christ that is meant to follow. This is the sign of the times where the middle class ideals have infiltrated the church completely.
Many of us suffer much loss before we find the gate which is Jesus Christ. But afterwards we look forward to finishing our lives in much the same way as other people...
What is the narrow way?
Well let's look at the broad way first..
The Broad Way: Having our own possessions, maintaining a private life that suits us, choosing things for ourselves, maintaining a comfortable distance from other believers...seeking happiness!!!!!
The Narrow Way: Having all things in common with the brethren...maintaining a sacrificial life that testifies to Christ...submission to the Spirit in all areas of life...being grafted in community of the Spirit with other members of the Beloved as a witness to the selfless love of Christ....seeking to please God.
Act 2:42 And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.
Act 2:43 And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles.
Act 2:44 And all that believed were together, and had all things common;
Act 2:45 And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need.
Act 2:46 And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart,
Act 2:47 Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.
And all that believed... This means that those who had already believed continued their lives in a new and living way. A renewed corporate way of life is required to bring out the power of the new life received individually. A believer is to continue in the path of faith...unto the fulness of Christ. Is this an individual pursuit? Of course not! Our western culture seeks the individual attainment...not so Christ.
We see the narrow way very clearly in the bible...but few indeed (especially among white middle class westerners that have all they want) will even consider to actually follow in the footsteps of Christ along the narrow way. Most are content with having gone through the doorway.
Many are called but few are chosen.
Most (even true) Christians experience the first but are entirely ignorant of the way in Christ that is meant to follow. This is the sign of the times where the middle class ideals have infiltrated the church completely.
Many of us suffer much loss before we find the gate which is Jesus Christ. But afterwards we look forward to finishing our lives in much the same way as other people...
What is the narrow way?
Well let's look at the broad way first..
The Broad Way: Having our own possessions, maintaining a private life that suits us, choosing things for ourselves, maintaining a comfortable distance from other believers...seeking happiness!!!!!
The Narrow Way: Having all things in common with the brethren...maintaining a sacrificial life that testifies to Christ...submission to the Spirit in all areas of life...being grafted in community of the Spirit with other members of the Beloved as a witness to the selfless love of Christ....seeking to please God.
Act 2:42 And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.
Act 2:43 And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles.
Act 2:44 And all that believed were together, and had all things common;
Act 2:45 And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need.
Act 2:46 And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart,
Act 2:47 Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.
And all that believed... This means that those who had already believed continued their lives in a new and living way. A renewed corporate way of life is required to bring out the power of the new life received individually. A believer is to continue in the path of faith...unto the fulness of Christ. Is this an individual pursuit? Of course not! Our western culture seeks the individual attainment...not so Christ.
We see the narrow way very clearly in the bible...but few indeed (especially among white middle class westerners that have all they want) will even consider to actually follow in the footsteps of Christ along the narrow way. Most are content with having gone through the doorway.
Many are called but few are chosen.
