Tag: Strait Gate

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Narrow Passages

OCTOBER 27

MATTHEW 7:14_strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life…

My favorite path in Rock City is the Needle’s Eye. As many times as I have been there it remains my favorite. Large rock formations are close together but not touching—just barely not. As you enter this trail, you come to places where the rocks are closer together. You’ll need to turn side ways to pass through. There are several very narrow passages.

The strait gate, which Jesus says leads to life, is also narrow. The Needle’s Eye leaves very little room for baggage. As you continue to travel the path some of the passages are so narrow, if you brought baggage, you will have to return to the gate and leave it.

Moses’ father-in-law, Jethro, gave him this advice, concerning all the Hebrews he was leading to the promised land, Exodus 18:20 (KJV), “And thou [Moses] shalt teach them ordinances and laws, and shalt shew them the way wherein they must walk, and the work that they must do.”

As a salty-lit-up disciple do the same thing: Give light to the narrow path so seekers can follow it. 

PRAYER

One True God, Help me be light to the strait gate and narrow way! In the powerful name of Jesus, Amen.

Christ casts off my baggage—I’ll follow the narrow way!

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Plenty of Room

OCTOBER 24

MATTHEW 7:13_for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leads to destruction…

Jesus describes the second gate as wide and broad. You won’t need any help finding that gate. It’s wide, how could you miss it? When you reach an accountable age, your eyes open to two gates; you’ll see the widest first. The size makes it visible and more tempting. 

Because of its size, you see something else: how easy it is to enter. The wideness allows for all kinds of baggage. 

Besides the wideness, the way is broad. If in the baggage you brought along some pride, there would be plenty of room to add to it—until it becomes arrogance. If you brought just a little bit of a grudge, there would be plenty of room to add to it—until it becomes hate and bitterness.

Jesus’ words are plain: this broad way leads to destruction. Count on it! Psalm 27:11 (KJV), “Teach me thy way, O Lord, and lead me in a plain path, because of mine enemies.”

Make the choice in your youth to enter the strait gate. It will save you numerous regrets in your adult life.        

PRAYER

God Who Saves, Please save me from entering the destructive path of life. In the powerful name of Jesus, Amen.        

Christ saves me from the wide gate—I will follow Him!

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A Prerequisite

OCTOBER 23

MATTHEW 7:13_Enter ye in at the strait gate…

Jesus teaches there are two ways to enter this trip called life. Each entrance has a gate.

Jesus says enter at the strait gate—a path designed to lead you to treasure—an abundance of treasure.

These are treasures only God can give—far more valuable than anything the world offers. Things like: 1 Timothy 6:6 (KJV), “But godliness with contentment is great gain.”

Stop and think what life would be like if you were content. That means you would be satisfied—not constantly wanting, changing, or re-arranging. It does not mean you shouldn’t ask, seek, or knock for improvements. It simply means you know the peace that comes with being satisfied. 

Notice a prerequisite to this kind of contentment: godliness. When you enter at the strait gate, you will find godliness before you find contentment.

Psalm 5:8 (KJV), “Lead me, O Lord, in thy righteousness because of mine enemies; make thy way straight before my face.” 

Psalm 31:3 (KJV), “For thou art my rock and my fortress; therefore for thy name’s sake lead me, and guide me.”

Psalm 25:4 (KJV), “Shew me thy ways, O Lord; teach me thy paths.”

Ask God to help you enter at the strait gate.

PRAYER

Righteous Lord, I don’t know how to find the strait gate, but I can follow You. In the powerful name of Jesus, Amen.                                                                                                 

Christ leads to the strait gate—I will follow Him!

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Good and Better

OCTOBER 22

MATTHEW 7:13_Enter ye in at the strait gate…

Your world entry: you are born.

Your adulthood entry: you make decisions for yourself.

There is always some form of authority—first and foremost God’s. When parents no longer pick you up, take you places, or make decisions for you. It is time to spread your wings and fly!

Jesus wants you to enter adult life through the strait gate. You’ve heard about the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow? God has something that good—and better! Through the strait gate!

Jesus has not quite completed His sermon, but everything He has taught thus far leads to the right path. By the time you reach the end of this sermon, you will have uncovered an extremely large treasure (and this is only three chapters out of the entire Bible!).

John 14:2-5 (KJV), “In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. 4 And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know.5 Thomas saith unto him, Lord, we know not whither thou goest; and how can we know the way?”

Thomas wasn’t sure about the way. Jesus’ says it’s the strait gate!

PRAYER

Eternal God, I want to enter in at the strait gate. In the powerful name of Jesus, Amen.                                                                                                 

Christ is the strait gate—He will lead me!

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But the Power of Jesus

NOVEMBER 29

MATTHEW 7:22_and in Thy name cast out devils…

Can these people actually cast out demons? Or do they think they can just convince Jesus they can? I don’t claim to know a lot about demonic possession, but I don’t believe there is any power to exhort them but the power of Jesus. 

Because life is spiritual as well as physical, we need to have knowledge of both. We primarily focus on the physical until we have had an encounter with Jesus and answer that knock. John 15:16 (KJV), “Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.”

You didn’t become a Christian because it was your idea. You answered the call, the knock, the pursuing of Jesus. You responded, and now you are doing the asking, seeking, knocking, pursuing. You enter a strait gate and a narrow way to gain wisdom, understanding, and knowledge of truth. And why do you want truth? By now you’ve got this—to live free!

We must face the reality that the spiritual world consists of darkness as well as light. Jesus calls us to be light and light must be free.

Any encumbrances to light keep it from overcoming darkness.                   

PRAYER

God of Heaven, Please keep my light free to serve You. In the powerful name of Jesus, Amen. 

Christ’s light is free from encumbrances—He frees mine!