The STRAIT Gate, He Is Able Page 148 at http://www.he-is-able.com/page148.html


	The Strait Gate


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


And he went through the cities and villages, teaching, and journeying toward Jerusalem. Then said one unto him, Lord, are there few that be saved? And he said unto them, Strive to enter in at the strait gate: for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able. When once the master of the house is risen up, and hath shut to the door, and ye begin to stand without, and to knock at the door, saying, Lord, Lord, open unto us; and he shall answer and say unto you, I know you not whence ye are: Then shall ye begin to say, We have eaten and drunk in thy presence, and thou hast taught in our streets. But he shall say, I tell you, I know you not whence ye are; depart from me, all ye workers of iniquity. There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth, when ye shall see Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, and all the prophets, in the kingdom of God, and you yourselves thrust out. Luke 13:22-28.

*STRAIT: (on land) "a narrow place", NOT a misspelling of straight. NARROW* as opposed to "broad". Please note that not only is the gate strait (narrow), but the pathway is narrow, also. When one goes through a narrow place, travels a narrow way, there is no room for excess baggage, is there? That's right! When we accept the Lord Jesus Christ and begin "walking with Him", we are to LAY DOWN, as in LEAVE BEHIND, WALK AWAY FROM sin and its accompanying burdens! Oh but we like those "broad" ways, don't we? We can grab all the material possessions our little hearts desire. We can hang on to all the baggage we have: old hurts, anger, depression, anxiety... We like the "broad way" in all areas of our lives: our speech, our Bibles, the sermons we hear, school lessons... We don't want to have to spend time in thought, making sound decisions. We don't want the responsibility of making decisions for ourselves but we readily complain when others make them for us! We don't have time for scenery--just get us on our way and hurry up about it! Life is a journey, and each of us must make it. We cannot remain on "start" or "go" forever. For far too many, the "broad way" is the only way ever chosen: it is the first or natural inclination--the easy way--the fast track. We like the concept of "lose weight withOUT exercise", having everything "remote". We complain about the price of things, all the while reaching for sliced bread, microwave entrees, and instant potatoes. Make it easy--make it fast: it MUST BE the BROAD way. Certainly I have no wish to return to the days of life in a cave; it's nice to turn on a faucet for running water instead of trekking three miles to the "crick" to get it. Yet, each generation has desired less and less wisdom--all we want is knowledge. Our everyday headlines remind us that common sense (wisdom) is quickly going the way of the dinosaur. Sadly, our total dependence upon technology writes a check that can't be cashed--it is creating a [false] sense of security that is EASILY breached. Recent events in our lives have proven it so! Over the years, through the decades, the people of this nation have snuggled deeper and deeper into their comfort zone, APATHY. The greater majority long ago decided they would rather complain about something than work to change it, hiding behind the ever-convenient, "I'm only one person," (or "It's not MY job!"), neither of which is a unique concept. It has been adopted by many as a way of life. Sadly, it usually takes some terrible tragedy, some "in our face" event, to motivate us, ANY of us, from the highest levels of authority right down to the "average" Joe or Jane on the street. Then we headline, "UNITED", as if it were new to us. We were "UNITED" before it took place: UNITED in APATHY! Good ole' apathy: the BROAD way, the POPULAR way, the EASY way. It always amazes me at how easily people are "led"--no wonder we are likened to sheep! Sadly, those in a position of leadership are NOT leading folks TOWARD Christ! They are leading them in EVERY direction BUT Christ!

We are JUST AS apathetic about our spiritual lives: there, too, we want the BROAD way, the POPULAR way, the EASY way. That's why the doctrine of "once saved-always saved" is so well-liked: because we THINK it means we can mutter a few words, maybe even feel an extra bit of moisture in our eyes, shake somebody's hand, sign a card, and then go live like the devil! That is NOT what it means at all! We LIKE the doctrine of "Our God is a LOVING God, He wouldn't chastise (punish) anyone." We equate "love" with "feel good, pleasure, getting our way, no worries." My son, despise not the chastening of the Lord; neither be weary of his correction: For whom the Lord loveth he correcteth; even as a father the son in whom he delighteth. Proverbs 3:11,12. If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not? But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons. Hebrews 12:7.8. Just because we refuse to teach our children and discipline them as we should does NOT mean God has changed to meet our corrupted way of thinking! Moses told the people, "I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live: That thou mayest love the Lord thy God, and that thou mayest obey his voice, and that thou mayest cleave unto him: for he is thy life, and the length of thy days." (Deuteronomy 30:19,20) Joshua told the people, "Choose you this day whom ye will serve." (Joshua 24:15) Jeremiah told the people: "Thus saith the Lord; Behold, I set before you the way of life, and the way of death." (Jeremiah 21:8) JESUS told the people, "No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other." (Matthew 6:24)

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. FEW there be that find it. FEW, as in NOT many. Preachers nowadays are preaching ANOTHER gospel, an EASY GOSPEL: "Don't worry about it. God L-O-V-E-S you, He won't care. We are under Grace." Well, here's a WAKE-UP CALL for you: the ONLY WAY you are under Grace is IF you have made a TOTAL commitment to Jesus Christ. A TOTAL COMMITMENT to JESUS CHRIST means: You have LAID DOWN SIN (I'll make this REAL EASY: QUIT SINNING!!) CRUCIFIED YOUR FLESH (brought your will under subjection to God's Will) and, Taken up your cross to FOLLOW HIM DAILY. (Your "cross"? WHATEVER you have to endure to serve Him.) Now THAT is the STRAIT and NARROW Way. No wonder FEW THERE BE THAT FIND IT !!

The BROAD (easy) or the STRAIT (narrow)? There are but two choices: we can search out the entry to that strait (narrow) gate, or we can take the "high road"--the broad avenue. Its gate is wide, open, inviting, enticing even. It's easy to find--not only are many always congregated about its entrance, there is always a line. You don't have to give up anything to go through that gate--as a matter of fact, you are encouraged to take on even more. All the lust and desires of the flesh--there are no checks to appetites or passions. Bright lights and enticing amusements are the norm. Once on that broad way, there are still many more choices you are offered, and it is NEVER lonely--many there be which go in there at. There aren't many, if any, inconveniences--one is never required to do without whatever they may desire. Every once in a while, something may "short-circuit", but for the most part, there are no instant retributions, "no worries". It is "party hearty" time! Yet, the Word of God tells us, *broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction*.

That *narrow* truly is harder to find. Today, many many are trying to say it's the "easy way", so easy to find. WRONG! There are many counterfeits out there, and the counterfeit way is VERY easy, but the REAL narrow way is hard to find. Its gate is rickety and rusty, from lack of use and having weathered many storms. There are no queues--no persons standing about in idle chatter. You may well travel some distance before you see another. Do not think to step inside that gate means you are immediately ushered into heaven, or earthly bliss. As a matter of fact, once you choose that strait way, almost without fail, you will quickly befall some circumstance to test your having chosen it. Don't turn back! You will indeed find bright moments along the way, but for most of the journey, it may well be quite lonesome--it will certainly be uncrowded. Don't turn back! It's close going at various places; the brambles that line the sides of the path are thick and large, almost overtaking the pathway here or there, nearly converging with boulders that you encounter along the way. Don't turn back! There will be times you encounter others along the way who will encourage you just when it seems you can go no further. From their loving compassion, you will find the strength to once more reshoulder your cross and continue the journey. The unity of your goal will bear you both up: "There is a crown to be exchanged for this cross. Don't turn back!" You no more than leave one area of sharp stones scattered about that can cut or bruise painfully--to walk a few paces on smooth surface, than you find yourself bogged down in mud or picking your way over deep ruts. Don't turn back! Lush green shady valleys with babbling brooks and whispering zephyrs cause one to want to linger--but only long enough to refresh. The journey must continue--there is a goal to be gained, an end attained. Don't turn back! You soon find yourself in barren wastelands, forcing you to only make one step at a time against the driving rain, the howling winds that nearly blow you down. Don't turn back! It WILL be worth it ALL!

Through all the trials and tribulations of our journey in this life, we find comfort in the favour of God, for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. Hebrews 13:5. Sadly, many profess to have chosen the "strait and narrow", but you won't find them there. Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I NEVER KNEW you: DEPART from me, ye that work iniquity. Matthew 7:21-23. See, it's ONE thing to do it OUR way and profess to be doing it "for the Lord" and it's quite ANOTHER to actually DO the will of our Father in Heaven! No matter how grand or glorious or attention-getting it is, if that which we do is NOT for the Glory of God--is not HIS will, it will not gain us a thing with God. The STRAIT GATE--few there be that find it. Few there be that go in there at. FEW. We had better be willing to do WHATEVER it takes to live for the Lord Jesus Christ, to be a living witness of Him, to journey that STRAIT and NARROW way. It will be surely be worth it all, every trial, every tribulation: to reign forever and ever with Him in Glory. The ONLY other way leads to eternal separation from Him. Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, Make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is wellpleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen. Hebrews 13:20,21.
(all emphasis on scriptures, such as bold, underline or uppercase, is mine) "The Strait Gate" Copyright © 2001 by Patricia Sikes. All Rights Reserved.

It Will Be Worth It All

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