09/07/2024
What is the narrow way/road?
Many of us believe that the narrow way in its simplest form is getting saved and then choosing to do what the Bible tells us to do over what the world is doing. We ask for forgiveness, acknowledge Jesus as Savior, and then pursue a life where we progressively understand the Bible and we do our best, with the help of Jesus, to do what the Bible says. We shun evil, fight temptation, and do our best to do what is good. With all our ability we ask ourselves, and live by, WWJD.
What if I told you that isn’t the narrow way? What if I told you it is a mindset that is deceptive?
There is absolutely nothing wrong with doing our best to do what most would consider doing good things in the name of Jesus, but the narrow way is even more narrow than that. There are next levels that those on the narrow way should be doing. What if we bumped it up a couple of levels and you not only tried to do what Jesus would do (like go to church, read the Bible, and serve a local congregation) but you also had the gift of prophecy and walked in signs, wonders, and miracles? So much so that you became known in your church for driving out demons and healing! Not many walk at that level of faith right? To be able to walk in miracles, they obviously must be walking an even more narrow way than those that don’t do much more than go to church…right?
Where do you measure up on walking the narrow road? Do you feel a little embarrassed and maybe even a little condemned for your level of commitment to walking the narrow road? OR Are you pretty happy to be able to say that you are closer to being like the miracle worker? You can prophecy and see demons flee at your command in the name of Jesus? You have taken your understanding of the Bible to the next level by proving it and you are actually doing the same things Jesus did, not just trying your best to be a good Christian.
The narrow road is even more narrow than all that and there are few that find it. It is waaayyy more difficult to do, because it isn’t up to us and how capable we are to do the things in the Bible.
Did you know that you can do all the “right” things, and even walk in Holy Spirit gifts and miracles, and not be saved or be walking the narrow road?
Read Matthew 7:21-23
Jesus is the door/gate to the narrow way.
What Would Jesus Do or a better question What Did Jesus Do?
John 5:19 Jesus says “the son can do nothing of himself, he can only do what he sees his father do”.
How did Jesus know what He was supposed to do? Not from reading about Him and doing what He thinks His Father would do. He was the first and only person at that time that had the Holy Spirit living on the inside of Him. While Jesus probably did all the things a good Jewish boy would do, when we read about Him in the Bible, He obviously did things that the religious leaders considered heretical. He didn’t live up to their religion. He walked to the beat of a different drum. He was the only person anyone had ever met that
Had the authority and true knowledge of God. The Holy Spirit made it possible for Him to know every step the Father wanted Him to take. He was one with the Father and the Holy Spirit.
So, if we have been crucified with Christ and the same Spirit that raised Christ from the dead dwells in us, then we should only do what the Holy Spirit leads us to do. That doesn’t mean you have to abandon the the things you like to do like go to church and listen to your favorite speakers, but that also doesn’t mean you have to do those things either to be a “better” Christian. Our only righteousness is and will always only be the righteousness Jesus gave to us when we chose to die at the cross with Him. The Bible says that we are dead and that Christ lives in and through us. Greater things we will do, because He went to be with the Father and sent the Holy Spirit to dwell IN us.
The narrow way is not our choice to say a prayer, then spend the rest of our lives trying to understand what is good and evil, it is choosing the Tree of Life, entering THAT narrow gate, and putting our faith in HIM that He will take us where He wants to take us. Religion and “levels” is birthed in pride and lust to be better than someone else, but if all of our righteousness flows from HIS righteousness and direction, then we “hearers” and “doers”. If you can say “I don’t hear or feel led by the Holy Spirit”, then consider Matthew 7:21-23 and see if you live a life of faith in HIM to both WILL AND DO of His good pleasure or if you are just trying your best with what you know. Do you KNOW Him and have a two way relationship, or do you live your life doing things in Jesus name and being satisfied that it seems to work?
It’s harder to trust and lay it all on Jesus and your relationship with Him, than it is to find things that make you feel like you are doing the right thing.
I would love any feedback or insight if I have missed it or if you have more to add!
