TODAY IS…

a good day to ask, “Will I find it?”

“For the gate is small and the way is narrow that leads to life, and there are few who find it.”  Matthew 7:14 NASB

There are over seven billion people living in the world today, so it is not necessary to become nervous about the statement Jesus made. In the grand scheme of things, “few” is certainly relative. In any case, worrying will not get us through the gate, and the number of people who will get through should not be of concern.

The only thing we should be concerned about is, “Will I find that narrow opening into God’s kingdom?”

What do we need to do to guarantee that we are allowed to walk through the gate that leads to everlasting life in God’s kingdom? Is it complicated? Is it difficult? It must be if Christ says that, “…there are few who find it.”

Let’s look at the complexity first.

Jesus explained the way in one simple sentence, so it can’t be complicated. Thomas had asked for clarification, so “Jesus said to him, ‘I Am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me.’” (John 14:6 NASB).

How amazingly uncomplicated! Not only does Jesus tell us how, but He tells us where the gate is located. It is He, Christ, who is the way. It is Christ who is the gate. The answer is not complicated at all. The answer lies in accepting Christ as our Lord and Savior. Not in our ‘good deeds’ and not in our works, but through Christ.

But is it difficult?

Now there is where the problem lies for so many unfortunate souls.

Perhaps this part is not as challenging as people make it either. If Christ is the way, then all we need do is look back at what He said when He first came upon each of His disciples. His words were invariably the same, He said, “Come, follow Me…” (Matthew 4:19a NIV).

Simple enough, don’t you think?

“Follow Me.”

All we have to do is follow Jesus Christ. We cannot perform all of the miracles that Christ performed, but we can live our lives in a humble manner with love and concern for our fellow man and we can love, praise and worship only God.

Why, then, do so many fail to find it?

Because, while the way may be uncomplicated and not difficult on its own, it is made complicated and difficult by the temptations of sin and the temptations of this world.

Now we all know the way. The new question that we must ask ourselves is, “Can I do what must be done to get there?”

Are you certain of what your answer is?

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Taken from “TODAY IS….A Gift From God”, (C) 2013 Tony Casson