"Enter by the narrow gate; for wide [is] the gate and broad [is] the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow [is] the gate and difficult [is] the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it."
(Matthew 7:13-14)
"You can enter God's Kingdom only through the narrow gate. The highway to hell is broad, and its gate is wide for the many who choose the easy way. But the gateway to life is small, and the road is narrow, and only a few ever find it." (NLT)
"Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it." (NIV)
"Enter through the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and spacious and broad is the way that leads away to destruction, and many are those who are entering through it.
But the gate is narrow (contracted [a]by pressure) and the way is straitened and compressed that leads away to life, and few are those who find it." (AMP)
"Don't look for shortcuts to God. The market is flooded with surefire, easygoing formulas for a successful life that can be practiced in your spare time. Don't fall for that stuff, even though crowds of people do. The way to life—to God!—is vigorous and requires total attention." (MSG)
With God, it's either all or nothing. God does not want half our hearts. He wants and requires 100%. God gave His one and only Son so that we can live a life in abundance and in freedom. And all He wants from us is a relationship with Him.
God desires for us to have eternal life. To acquire eternal life, you have to be willing to see it through without wavering in your faith. There are no shortcuts to God, no special cliff notes, or no cheatsheets for that matter. Please keep in mind that this is not like Burger King, "Your way, right away, now." It's not an instant satisfication, but a delay one.
Please do not be ignorant to satan's devices. Do not think you can go pass God's plan and journey for you achieving eternal life. It's not going to happen. God has already predestined, pre-plan, and prepared a different road map for each one of us. But our destinatiion is the same.......eternal life.
With all this being said, take the time to know God by getting in His Word, spending some time with Him praying/communicating, and praising and worshipping Him daily. Ask God what He requires of you. So that, if you haven't already, begin this glorious journey on this narrow road (which will be very bumpy, full of potholes, unpaved, and rough) and through the narrow gate. It's not going to be easy nor a quick trip. But all in all God is with you every step of the way, with Jesus cheering and interceding for you on the right side of His father, and the power of the Holy Spirit guiding, helping, and comforting you.
Just to think, when you perserve and endure the narrow road, pressing through the narrow gate in order to get to your final destination. You will hear those beautiful words, "Well done my good and faithful servant."
"Then the King will say to those at His right hand, Come, you blessed of My Father [you favored of God and appointed to eternal salvation], inherit (receive as your own) the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world."
(Matthew 25:34 - AMP)
Have a bless week!!
Your Sister in Christ,
Free Signature Generator
3 comments:
I love that you posted different versions so it's easier to understand the verse. Walking through the narrow gate is not easy. But if we persist, keeping on trusting on the Lord, the walk may be painful at times, but the destination is a bliss! Have a super Sunday! God bless.
So true! It is all or nothing. What does Jesus say about the luke warm?
Great post!
Amen Toia! Beautiful sharing of the Word in different versions as God uses His word to minister to each persons heart differently but all for the same goal -- DRAWING CLOSER TO HIM THROUGH OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST and living our lives in HIM.
All or nothing indeed!
Love ya.
Post a Comment